UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The top-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (12-0) dominated the Michigan State Spartans (9-7) 37-10 on Friday night. The Nittany Lions won seven bouts against the Spartans all via bonus points.
"I think we've been fearless," senior Jason Nolf said. "I think our team has done a great job. We've had some matches where we didn't compete to the highest of our ability but I think we always give it a 100 percent effort and attitude."
Up just 8-7 in the dual the Nittany Lions turned to Jason Nolf at 157 pounds. Nolf, ranked No. 1 in the country at 157 pounds, entered the dual with a perfect 20-0 record and took on unranked Jake Tucker.
Nolf came out firing with a quick double leg takedown. Tucker was able to work a reversal, but Nolf responded with a reversal of his own. From there, Nolf dominated the first period collecting four total takedowns and a reversal good for a 10-5 leader after one period.
In the second period, Nolf was able to turn Tucker using an arm extension into a headlock to collect his 12 pin of the season at the 3:50 mark.
"It's a secret," Nolf said. "It's another secret move."
Head coach Cael Sanderson says Nolf's exciting moves and thrilling pins might make him the most fun person to watch in the sports history.
"What you can expect is that he's going to go get after it," Sanderson said. "He's going to score points in a lot of different ways."
"I mean I don't know if we've seen that before maybe that was a first, but I think there have been a lot of firsts with Jason so I don't think that's surprising. It's fun to watch. It's as fun as anyone has ever been probably in the history of college wrestling."
Nolf will have just one more opportunity to wrestle in Rec Hall which will be next Sunday against Buffalo, but he's still looking to get off the mat as quick as he can.
"I'm just blessed and thankful to be out here," Nolf said. "I'm trying to just compete at the highest level and give my best effort."
With the pin, Nolf now has 57 for his career which is already a Penn State school record. Teammate Bo Nickal is just two pins behind Nolf.
The Nittany Lions are back in action at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Champaign, Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini.
