11:10 p.m. — Even with Taylor’s loss, it was a memorable night for Penn State wrestling. The Nittany Lions captured their third consecutive national championship while junior Ed Ruth and senior Quentin Wright both took home individual titles.

11:06 p.m. — Despite an immediate takedown by Taylor to jump out to an early 2-0 lead and a relentless finish, Dake held on to win 5-4. Down 2-0, Dake responded with an escape point and a takedown of his own to take a 3-2 lead. Another escape gave him a 4-2 advantage, but Taylor would not go away quietly, earning an escape point to make it 4-3. A second stalling warning on Dake evened the score at 4, but riding time advantage ultimately gave the Cornell wrestler the victory in a match that lived up to its billing.

10: 47 p.m. — We’re back, and if you don’t already have ESPN turned on, you’ll want to immediately. The much anticipated David Taylor-Kyle Dake match that everyone has been waiting for is up next following the commercial break!

9:59 p.m. — We are still a few matches away from the David Taylor-Kyle Dake bout, but if you haven’t already, check out our story on the two wrestlers from earlier in the week. The long-term rivals — and friends — will face each other in what is being billed as “The Match of the Century.”

9:31 p.m. — Megaludis comes up a bit short in the finals, losing to Delgado 7-4 after a third period cradle. There are still a few more matches to go until we get there, but all eyes are now fixated on the David Taylor-Kyle Dake matchup.

9:16 p.m. — We have a few minutes of down time now before Nico Megaludis’ match. The sophomore will be facing Jesse Delgado from Illinois after ESPN returns from a commercial break.

9:07 p.m. — After his victorious bout to clinch the championship for Penn State, Quentin Wright saluted the many Nittany Lion fans in attendance at the Wells Fargo Arena. (Picture by Tony Mancuso of GoPSUSports)

9:01 p.m. — That loss by Kilgore was his first in over two years. Penn State has captured the team title, but Nico Megaludis and David Taylor are still set to wrestle for the Nittany Lions, going after individual titles.

8:56 p.m. — Quentin Wright gets it done for Penn State with a great match, defeating Dustin Kilgore 8-6 to give Penn State its third consecutive national championship! “I’m very grateful,” said coach Cael Sanderson immediately after the match. “I love these guys.”

8:40 p.m. — Penn State is back in the lead after a dominating performance by Ed Ruth to defeat Robert Hamlin 12-4. A last second takedown by Ruth gave him the major decision en route to his second national championship. The Nittany Lions now have a 4-point lead (119.5-115.5) over Oklahoma State and can clinch the team title with one more win. Quentin Wright is up next.

8:23 p.m. — Perry has defeated Brown 2-1 after gaining an escape point in overtime. Oklahoma State has taken a one point lead in the team standings, but Penn State will have the opportunity to gain it right back with Ed Ruth up next against Lehigh’s Robert Hamlin.

8:05 p.m. — Action is close to getting underway from the Wells Fargo Arena as Matt Brown takes on Chris Perry from Oklahoma State to begin the night. If Brown wins, Penn State clinches its third national championship, but if Perry prevails, things will get very interesting.

___________________________________________________________________________________

With five wrestlers in tonight’s NCAA Championships, Penn State aims for its third consecutive national title. Currently clinging to a 3-point lead over second place Oklahoma State (114.5-111.5), it will be up to Nico Megaludis, David Taylor, Matt Brown, Ed Ruth, and Quentin Wright to keep the Nittany Lions in first place.

The matchups involving Penn State wrestlers are as follows:

125 pounds: No.4 Nico Megaludis vs. No. 2 Jesse Delgado, Illinois

165 pounds: No. 2 David Taylor vs. No. 1 Kyle Dake, Cornell

174 pounds: No. 2 Matt Brown vs. No. 1 Chris Perry, Oklahoma State

184 pounds: No.1 Ed Ruth vs. No. 3 Robert Hamlin, Lehigh

197 pounds: No. 2 Quentin Wright vs. No. 1 Dustin Kilgore, Kent State

While all eyes will be on the Taylor-Dake bout, the Brown-Perry matchup will be especially key as Cael Sanderson’s squad looks to hold off the surging Cowboys and capture another championship.

Check out some of our recaps from the past few days below and follow along for constant updates when the action from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa resumes at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

Day 1: NCAA Wrestling Championships

Day 2: NCAA Wrestling Championships

David Taylor and Kyle Dake on Collision Course for Match of the Century

For updates on Twitter, follow our wrestling reporter Katie Blitz (@KBlitzpsu)