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Penn State Wrestling’s top 25 dual meets in the Cael Sanderson era

By Chris Snyder

STATE COLLEGE, PA - JANUARY 31: A view of the sell out crowd during a match between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan Wolverines on January 31, 2016 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 35-7. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - JANUARY 31: A view of the sell out crowd during a match between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan Wolverines on January 31, 2016 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 35-7. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Wrestling
Mark Hall of the Penn State Nittany Lions wrestles Zahid Valencia of the Arizona State Sun Devils(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

No. 11

December 14, 2018
University Park, Pa
No. 9 Arizona State 3, No. 1 Penn State 41

Hype surrounded this matchup against Arizona State as it would be the Sun Devils’ first ever trip to Rec Hall and the first dual meet against the two schools since 2001.

Arizona State had always been a decorated wrestling school, however they were really starting make some bigger jumps in the college wrestling ranks. Especially in the time since the last matchup in 2001.

This dual meet would feature13 ranked wrestlers, four No. 1 ranked wrestlers at their individual weight class, and four matches with both grapplers being ranked.

Things kicked off at 125 where the Sun Devils got off to a great start when Brandon Courtney (ASU) beat Devin Schnupp (PSU) in a barn burning 13-7 decision. Arizona State had the momentum and the early 3-0 lead.

Well, at least for now.

Because when the dust settled after the next nine matches, Penn State went a perfect 9-0 and did not allow the Sun Devils to score another point in the 41-3 blood bath.

No. 4 Nick Lee (PSU) earned a fall, No. 12 Brady Berge (PSU) won a decision over No. 11 Josh Maruca (ASU), No. 1 Jason Nolf (PSU) dominated No. 16 Christian Pagdilao (ASU) in a major decision, No. 1 Vincenzo Joseph (PSU) smacked around No. 5 Josh Shields (ASU) for a major decision, and in the match of the night, No. 2 Mark Hall (PSU) held No. 1 Zahid Valencia (ASU) scoreless in a surgical 4-0 victory.

No. 4 Shakur Rasheed (PSU) added a technical fall and No. 1 Bo Nickal (PSU) and No. 5 Anthony Cassar (PSU) each added falls of their own to close the dual.

Talk about dominance.

I’m guessing Arizona State knew they wouldn’t leave Happy Valley with the “W”, but I’m sure they thought they could at least hang with Penn State.

Huh uh.

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