Battling the Best: Nebraska's Courageous Clash with Penn State

Challenging the Giants

Nebraska's wrestling team stepped into the lion's den on January 31, 2026, and didn't just survive; they showcased grit and determination against the reigning titans of college wrestling, #1 Penn State. Although Nebraska faced a 26-12 defeat, the match displayed their growing prowess and competitive fire, indicating that last year's NCAA runner-up finish was no fluke.

This dual was particularly noteworthy, as it represented Nebraska's most significant test against a team that's been a powerhouse, rarely losing more than two matches in a dual. With a raucous crowd behind the Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center, Nebraska went into halftime trailing a mere 10-9, an impressive feat against a team known for its dominance.

A Statement of Intent

While losing might seem disheartening, Nebraska's performance sent a clear message to the rest of the NCAA wrestling field. The Huskers claimed victories in three matches against a full-strength Penn State lineup, showcasing their skill and heart. Even in losses, their ability to score against top-ranked opponents revealed their potential to compete at the highest levels.

“Brought the fight to State College. Brock Hardy, Antrell Taylor, and AJ Ferrari pick up wins for the Huskers! Penn State is kinda good.” — NEwrestle

Weight-by-Weight Breakdown

125 Pounds

Competing against the formidable Luke Lilledahl, Nebraska's Alan Koehler faced an uphill battle, succumbing to a technical fall with a score of 20-3. Koehler, now 10-12 on the year, faced a tough challenge, resulting in Nebraska starting 0-5 early in the dual.

133 Pounds

In a tightly contested match, #10 Jacob Van Dee clashed with undefeated Marcus Blaze, also facing his third consecutive defeat with a final score of 5-1. Van Dee's fight, though unsuccessful, highlighted his grit against such formidable competition.

141 Pounds

The crowd got to witness some fireworks when Nebraska's #3 Brock Hardy faced off against #13 Braeden Davis. After a rocky start, Hardy fought back impressively, scoring a pinfall win. Hardy's resilience led him to improve to 14-4, energizing the Huskers and narrowing the lead to 7-6.

“BROCK
HARDY
PIN” — Nebraska Wrestling

149 Pounds

Facing off against Shayne Van Ness, Chance Lamer initially held a lead but ultimately fell short, ending the match with a 12-5 decision. Lamer, sitting at 12-4, displayed promising techniques despite the setback.

157 Pounds

This weight class brought the match of the day as #5 Antrell Taylor, the defending NCAA Champion, battled #2 PJ Duke. In a harrowing contest that went to tiebreakers, Taylor emerged victorious, handing Duke his first collegiate loss while improving his own record to 16-2.

165 Pounds

Nebraska took a hit at this weight when #7 LJ Araujo faced off against top-ranked Mitchell Mesenbrink, who overpowered him with a decisive 20-5 tech fall. Araujo struggled against the pace that Mesenbrink set, dropping his record to 11-6.

174 Pounds

In a closely contested match, #4 Christopher Minto took on #1 Levi Haines. Minto fought valiantly but ended up narrowly losing with a score of 8-6, demonstrating he has the skills to contend with the best, now holding a record of 14-4.

184 Pounds

Nebraska's #6 Silas Allred, faced with the formidable #1 Rocco Welsh, had a challenging outing, ending with a major decision loss. Allred's record stands at 12-6, but the experience was valuable against an elite competitor.

197 Pounds

Camden McDanel, wrestling at #10, squared off against #1 Josh Barr, who had previously tech-falled him twice. While McDanel showed fight and ended with a 21-9 major decision loss, his late takedown proved his tenacity as he worked to improve his 14-5 record.

285 Pounds

Wrapping up the night, AJ Ferrari, Nebraska's #4 heavyweight, earned a solid 2-1 decision victory over #9 Cole Mirasola, further demonstrating that the Huskers are strengthening their position in the heavyweight category.

Looking Ahead

This dual offered a glimpse into Nebraska's potential as they prepare for upcoming competitions. The grit they displayed against one of the nation's top teams speaks volumes about their determination and skill set. As we move into the heart of the season, expect Nebraska to build on this performance, climbing toward their goal of national prominence.