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Penn State Wrestling’s top 10 dual meets in the Cael Sanderson era

By Chris Snyder

The crowd reacts as Aaron Brooks of the Penn State Nittany Lions gets a pin during the second period of a 184-pound bout against Rocky Jordan of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Bryce Jordan Center on February 04, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
The crowd reacts as Aaron Brooks of the Penn State Nittany Lions gets a pin during the second period of a 184-pound bout against Rocky Jordan of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Bryce Jordan Center on February 04, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Wrestling
Ethan Lizak of the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Jordan Conaway of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

No. 7

January 6, 2017
Minneapolis, Minn
No. 2 Penn State 33, No. 9 Minnesota 6

Hitting the road for their 2016-2017 B1G opener, Penn State Wrestling was looking to keep their perfect season rolling and maybe exorcise some demons along the way.

Which demons am I referring to?

Prior to the January 2017 clash at Minnesota, does anyone know the last time Penn State beat Minnesota in Minnesota?

You are correct. Never.

And that year’s Minnesota team was far from its best, however it did have seven wrestlers ranked in their lineup and they were wrestling in front of their home crowd.

Which apparently can be a factor in sporting events.

Looking at this particular dual meet, I can’t figure out for the life of me why Minnesota wanted to start out at 149. This meant No. 1 Zain Retherford (PSU), No. 1 Jason Nolf (PSU), No. 5 Vincenzo Joseph (PSU), and No. 2 Bo Nickal (PSU) would go in four of the first five matches.

Well, I hope you feel good about yourself, Minnesota. Because the Nittany Lions stormed out to a 24-0 lead at the midway point as the results went as follows:

-fall (Retherford)
-fall (Nolf)
-decision (Joseph)
-decision (Morelli)
-fall (Nickal)

I’m sure you could have heard a pin drop in the crowd after that.

Four of the next five matches featured ranked matchups with Penn State prevailing in three of them. The Golden Gophers only won two measly decisions on the day and six total match points.

Prior to this matchup, Minnesota had a 13 match non-losing streak against the Nittany Lions.

And since then? Penn State is a perfect 3-0 against them.

Good job, good effort Minnesota. Better luck next time.

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