No. 1 Penn State wrestling is undefeated in the 2025-26 season with its latest win coming against No. 10 Michigan on Friday, Feb. 6. The Nittany Lions now have an even tougher test, going up against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes who are also undefeated on the season.
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Ohio State is on Penn State's heels when it comes to poll point. The blue and white slotted in with 399 and the Buckeyes fell just behind with 385. Friday, Feb. 13 will be the determining matchup as to which team dominates the mat at No. 1 in the country.
For the Nittany Lions, they're approaching every meet the same and they just got great news ahead of Friday.
In the 157-pound dual, true freshman PJ Duke was anticipated to matchup with sophomore Brandon Cannon. Cannon is 13-0 on the season and Duke is 14-1. The Buckeye is also the No. 1 wrestler in his bout with the Nittany Lion ranking fourth in this weight class.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Cannon will not wrestle in Friday's meet. He reportedly sustained a knee injury against Minnesota's Charlie Millard on Friday, Jan. 23 and has not appeared in meets since.
Landon Desselle is the only other Ohio State wrestler listed in the 157-pound weight class. The redshirt freshman is a much less intimidating opponent as he holds a 6-5 record in the 2025-26 season and is 1-2 in duals. Desselle is also 0-2 in Big Ten meets. Making matters even better, FloWrestling doesn't have the Buckeye ranked in this weight class.
Daxton Chase is also a potential fill-in for Cannon. The redshirt freshman is listed at 149 pounds for Ohio State. He also doesn't pose nearly as competitive of a challenge for Duke. Chase is 7-6 on the season and 0-2 in duals.
If Chase bumps up into the 157 bout, Duke faces another unranked wrestler. In the 249-pound weight class, the Buckeye is not listed in the top 33, per FloWrestling rankings.
Sophomore Ethan Stiles, who is ranked ninth out of wrestlers in the 149-pound weight class, is expected to dual junior Shayne Van Ness. Van Ness is the No. 1 wrestler in this weight class.