Dylan Raiola is getting the most out of his time in Nebraska. After compiling 2,819 yards and 13 touchdowns in his debut collegiate season, he’s exploring the school’s diverse sports departments. The Huskers football team may have fallen back in the Big Ten rankings with their 7-6 record. But somewhere else, one prolific and successful Huskers coach is set to upset a dominant rival and Raiola is playing his part in the rally. 

Calling all Huskers fans to Devaney Center for the big collegiate wrestling dual between Nebraska and No. 1 Penn State. Ahead of the Friday showdown, 2x Big 12 Coach of the Year Mark Manning has one request for the fans. “Pack Devaney.” Posting a picture of the winningest wrestling coach in Nebraska along with his request on his Instagram story on January 16, Dylan Raiola wrote, “You heard coach!!” Might not sound like much but the respect is there. 

If anyone deserves a shoutout for their coaching performance, Mark Manning is one. His accomplishments shortly began after his hiring in 2000 as he led Nebraska to finish at the top-8 in two consecutive NCAA Championships in 2001 and 2002. In his 24 seasons in Lincoln, he led the Huskers to eight top-8 NCAA Championship seasons and became the winningest coach in the program history with his 200th win in 2015. 

Not only that, Mark Manning has also mentored 36 of 72 Nebraska All-Americans. He also propelled five of his wrestlers to four individual NCAA championships. What an achievement! So the expectation is high as Penn State travels to Lincoln for the highly-anticipated Big Ten dual. It’s the Huskers’ chance to strip them off of that unbeaten tag. But can they? 

Can Nebraska triumph over Penn State?

As far as the all-time series go, Penn State is the leader over Nebraska with 12-7-1. They currently hold an 8-dual winning streak and are the last one standing following their last meeting in January 2020. This season, the Nittany Lions have been a force going 7-0, 1-0 (B1G) so far with formidable wrestlers like Carter Starocci and Braeden Davis. They’re coming off a big win delivering a blowout 55-0 loss to Michigan State last week with six pins, three tech falls, and one major. 

Nebraska isn’t in bad shape herself, although their record pales in comparison to Penn State. The Huskers suffered one non-conference loss but last week was a success when they defeated Minnesota 21-13. Their lineup includes ten ranked wrestlers including Caleb Smith and Jacob Van Dee. And not forgetting a winningy coach! But would it be enough? 

The question is if Nebraska wrestling will make Dylan Raiola and the fans’ attendance worthwhile. We’ll see if Manning can change the Huskers’ fortune in this game.