This summer, Jimmy Lawson had his doubts as he recovered from a 2013-14 season-ending knee injury.

On Friday night, when Lawson ran a victory lap around the mat and threw his hands up in celebration while the Rec Hall crowd stood and cheered, any doubts he had diminished, if not entirely went away.

Lawson was celebrating his dual-winning bout for No. 5 Penn State, as he defeated No. 9 Virginia Tech’s Ty Walz, 5-3, in sudden victory. The Nittany Lions won the dual, 20-15.

“We've got the greatest fans in the world,” Lawson said. “When they were behind me and my coach and my teammates believe in me, I can do great things.”

As the 285-pound weight class bout was in the waning seconds of its third period, No. 5 Walz scored a takedown to tie Lawson. Afterwards, Lawson was awarded what would have been the dual-winning point for an escape. However, it was taken off the board following a review. The bout was tied, 3-3, heading into sudden victory, where Lawson scored his dual-winning takedown.

“My goal is to win the national championship,” Lawson said. “For me, this is the first step. It’s been a while since I wrestled like that.”

Another upset occurred in the 125-pound weight class. No. 10 Jordan Conaway provided Penn State with three early points, defeating No. 5 Joey Dance, 7-5.

Conaway was at his strongest in the second period. He registered a takedown and flipped Dance to his back for a near fall.

Redshirt freshman Garett Hammond scored the most points for Penn State. Hammond won by tech fall, 17-2, against Chris Moon. Throughout the match, Hammond’s intensity and aggressiveness led to his three takedowns. He also recorded three near falls.

Hammond said he wanted to put the pressure on Moon as well as stay on the offensive throughout his bout.

Also winning bouts for Penn State were No. 5 Jimmy Gulibon in the 133-pound weight class, Cody Law at 157 and No. 4 Morgan McIntosh at 197.

In the 174-pound weight class, No. 9 Zach Epperly upset No. 2 Matt Brown, 8-6, in sudden victory. Brown held a 6-3 lead after two periods, but Epperly recorded an escape and a takedown to draw even in the third. This is Brown’s first loss this season.

Penn State moves to 5-0 this season, while Virginia Tech falls to 4-1.

Penn State will have its next dual in a home match against Indiana on Jan. 9.