UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State fans were treated with a double dose of domination as the Nittany Lions opened the 2024-25 season.

After hosting the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic on Saturday, in which four of five Nittany Lions won, Penn State pounded Drexel 41-3 on Sunday in front of another Rec Hall sellout crowd of 6,246.

After raising yet another championship banner, the Nittany Lions won 9 of 10 bouts, scoring bonus points in five, and amassing a 25-4 edge in takedowns, even with two fill-ins in the lineup. The win was Penn State’s 57th consecutive win.

“Some of our guys got chances to wrestle that haven’t had a lot of opportunities in the past. So, I think it’s great experience for them,” Nittany Lion head coach Cael Sanderson said.

“It’s the first week of the season for us. So, it doesn’t really change. We just compete and see where we’re at and try to get better.”

If there was any disappointment, it came at 125 pounds where blue-chip freshman Luke Lilledahl received a forfeit.

“Luke’s been awesome for the program. He brings in a very positive energy all the time. Doesn’t take a lot to make him smile. He’s obviously an incredible wrestler, and we’re super, super happy that he’s in our program and will be in our lineup.”

Penn State received a scare at 133. Braeden Davis led Kyle Waterman 3-1 when Davis got in on a single and a scramble ensued. During the exchange, Davis’ knee got twisted. The match was stopped as Davis took injury time. Davis would score another takedown and add an escape for a 7-5 win, but he looked tentative in the process. He had to survive a challenge by Drexel on a takedown late in the match.

“I think he’ll be fine. If you’re able to finish the match … he just had to kind of wrestle through that. We’ll take care of it and make sure has the time he needs to get back to full speed if he’s not full speed soon.”

Cael Nasdeo, the freshman from Williamsport, subbed in for Beau Bartlett who had wrestled in the NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday, at 141. The Dragons’ Jordan Soriano rallied from a 6-1 first period deficit to earn an 11-8 decision.

At 149, Penn State’s Connor Pierce filled in for Shayne Van Ness. Pierce scored the initial takedown in the first period and held off a late takedown attempt by Dom Findora to post a 6-4 decision.

Alex Facundo returned to the mat for the first time since the 2022-23 season, as the sophomore redshirted a year ago. Facundo used a first-period takedown, two reversals and a riding time point for an 8-5 decision that gave the Nittany Lions a 15-3 lead at the break.

Coming out of the break, Penn State produced five consecutive bonus point wins, four technical falls and a pin, to end the match in a hurry.

Mitchell Mesenbrink shot in on a single right off the whistle for a takedown at 165 and racked up five more in 21-4 technical fall in 5:19.

Levi Haines was even quicker in rolling to a 16-0 technical fall in 4:03 at 174. The junior used two takedowns, two four-point near falls and a two-point turn to dominate.

Carter Starocci made it three tech falls in a row with his 19-3 win in 5:37 at 184. Starocci notched six takedowns and added an escape for the win.

Both Haines and Starocci said there was no doubt they would compete the day after the all-star meet.

“I just love to compete. I think it’s a great opportunity, kind of two weigh-ins back-to-back, like a tournament setting. So, I just wanted to make the most of that opportunity and just use it as a practice,” Haines said.

Predictably, Starocci said he’s always up for competition.

“I think training is fun, but obviously I think competing is the most fun,” he said. “I think your best training is when you’re competing.”

Lucas Cochran continued the run of technical falls at 197. The junior showed off some slick takedowns in piling up six in his 19-3 win in 5:37.

“I think he’s been really good for a long time. I think he just kind of really started figuring that out last year, when he filled in for us when he wrestled heavyweight, and then in the offseason,” Sanderson said.

Finally, at 285, Greg Kerkvliet made short work of his opponent, building a 10-1 lead before turning the Dragon and pinning him in 1:40.

UP NEXT

Penn State returns to action in three weeks, at 2 p.m. Dec. 8, when it travels to the PPL Center in Allentown for its annual rivalry dual with Lehigh.

No. 1 Penn State 41

Drexel 3

(Sunday at University Park)

125: Luke Lilledahl, PSU, won by forfeit.

133: No. 7 Braeden Davis, PSU, dec. Kyle Waterman, 7-5.

141: Jordan Soriano, D, dec. Cael Nasdeo, 11-8.

149: Connor Pierce, PSU, dec. Dom Findora, 6-4.

157: Alex Facundo, PSU, dec. Luke Nichter, 8-5.

165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU, won by tech. fall over Cody Walsh, 21-4 (5:19),

174: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU, won by tech. fall over Jack Janda, 16-0 (4:03).

184: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU, won by tech. fall over Giuseppe Hoose, 19-3 (5:37).

197: Lucas Cochran, PSU, won by tech. fall over Ethan Wilson, 18-1 (3:27).

285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet, PSU, pinned Tanner Updegraff, 1:40.

Ridge Riley Award winner: Lucas Cochran.

Attendance: 6,246.

Takedowns: Drexel 4; PSU Penn State 25.

Records: Drexel 0-4; Penn State 1-0.

Next match: Penn State at Lehigh, 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at PPL Center in Allentown.