Preview: Penn State wrestling opens 2024-25 season vs. Drexel

No. 1 Penn State wrestling will look to extend its dual win streak to 57 when it welcomes the Drexel Dragons to Rec Hall for the season opener on Sunday afternoon. The Nittany Lions will look to win their fourth consecutive National Championship and 12th title in the past 14 seasons. What can we expect to see this weekend as Cael Sanderson and Penn State look to continue their dual win streak?

Penn State wrestling vs. Drexel preview

Drexel is already 0-3 this dual season with losses to No. 25 North Carolina (0-33), Navy (9-29), and Northern Colorado (16-29). Penn State beat Drexel 28-6 in Philadelphia in the lone meeting between the two programs back in 2003.

The Nittany Lions have a wrestler ranked at every weight class outside 125. Incoming freshman Luke Lilledahl will remain outside of the top 30 until he gets some collegiate matches under his belt.

Match to watch

125: Luke Lilledahl 0-0 (PSU) vs Desmond Pleasan 0-2 (DREX)

With half of the Penn State starting lineup most likely not participating in this dual following Saturday’s NWCA All-Star Classic, that leaves only a few wrestlers to pick from. Drexel has no ranked wrestlers, so the match to watch is more of just what is intriguing from the Penn State side.

Despite being the only non-ranked wrestler in the Nittany Lions’ projected starting lineup, many believe Luke Lilledahl will contend for the National Championship at 125 this season due to his pedigree. Lilledahl was the No. 1 overall recruit in the country for 2024 and was a key part of Penn State’s top-ranked recruiting class.

It could be a fast start to the dual, as “Lightning” Luke may put Pleasan on his back for six.

Projected Lineups

125: Luke Lilledahl 0-0 (PSU) vs Desmond Pleasan 0-2 (DREX)

133: No. 7 Braeden Davis 0-0 (PSU) vs Kyle Waterman 1-1 (DREX)

141: No. 3 Beau Bartlett 0-0 (PSU) vs Jordan Sorianao 0-2 (DREX)

149: No. 2 Shayne Van Ness 0-0 (PSU) vs Dom Findora 0-2 (DREX)

157: No. 5 Tyler Kasak 0-0/Alex Facundo 0-0 (PSU) vs Luke Nichter 1-1 (DREX)

165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink 0-0 (PSU) vs Cody Walsh 0-2 (DREX)

174: No. 2 Levi Haines 0-0 (PSU) vs Dom D’Agostino 0-1/Jack Janda 0-1 (DREX)

184: No. 1 Carter Starocci 0-0 (PSU) vs Giuseppe Hoose 0-2 (DREX)

197: No. 23 Josh Barr 0-0/Lucas Cochran 0-0 (PSU) vs Ethan Wilson 0-2 (DREX)

285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet 0-0 (PSU) vs Dom Petracci 1-0/Tanner Updegraff 0-1 (DREX)

Wrestlers in bold participated in the NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday evening.

Penn State vs Drexel Predictions:

125: Luke Lilledahl (PSU) by pin

133: No. 7 Braeden Davis (PSU) by tech fall

141: No. 3 Beau Bartlett (PSU) by tech fall

149: No. 2 Shayne Vane Ness (PSU) by pin

157: No. 5 Tyler Kasak/Alex Facundo (PSU) by tech fall

165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) by tech fall

174: No. 2 Levi Haines (PSU) by pin

184: No. 1 Carter Starocci (PSU) by pin

197: No. 23 Josh Barr/Lucas Cochran (PSU) by major

285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet (PSU) by tech fall

Final Score: No. 1 Penn State  53 – Drexel 0

© Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

The result of this match shouldn’t really matter, even though multiple Nittany Lion starters are most likely not participating. Half of the Penn State wrestling lineup participated in the NWCA All-Star Classic, including Beau Bartlett (141), Shayne Van Ness (149), Tyler Kasak (157), Levi Haines (174), and Carter Starocci (184).

This dual will flex the depth that Cael Sanderson has built in Happy Valley. The NCAA allows freshmen to participate in five events, including tournaments and duals. Sanderson usually sends his true freshmen to different tournaments to get as much competition as they can while still redshirting. However, we’re likely to see many younger Nittany Lions on Sunday.

Last season, Penn State wrestling capped off the year with a 55-0 win over Edinboro. I think that score could be similar to this one, and this dual should move pretty quickly with several pins and tech falls.

How to watch?

Date: November 17, 2024

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

TV: BTN+

Location: Rec Hall

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