UNIVERSITY PARK — As the No. 1 Penn State (12-0, 6-0 B1G) wrestling team continues its dominant march to a fifth consecutive undefeated dual meet season, the search for superlatives to describe their exploits grows more elusive.

But after sweeping to a 35-10 win over Maryland (8-9, 3-4 B1G) on Sunday at Rec Hall and a 39-0 shutout of No. 19 Michigan (5-5, 2-5 B1G) on Friday at the Bryce Jordan Center, a new theme emerged.

The Nittany Lions amassed a 49-0 edge in takedowns in the two wins, 29-0 over the Terps and 20-0 over the Wolverines. It’s the fourth time this season that Penn State has prevented an opponent from scoring a takedown. Doing it in back-to-back matches may be unprecedented.

Whether it’s their relentless offense or peerless baseline defense, coach Cael Sanderson couldn’t define the reason.

“I’d have to think back through, but I think our guys just wrestled through positions. I think Maryland was obviously in on some nice shots but our guys just fought hard and wrestled through the positions,” Sanderson said.

Whatever the reason, this Penn State team is going places and doing things that few, if any, teams have in the history of the sport.

The three-time defending NCAA champions are the clear favorite to make it four in a row, but after Sunday’s dual win, the 68th in a row, injuries have suddenly become a concern.

Braeden Davis (133) sat out his third consecutive dual. And Tyler Kasak (157) had to injury default his match Sunday after he suffered an injury,went into concussion protocol and didn’t return to the mat.

“We’re not entirely sure yet (what happened to Kasak),” Sanderson said.“We’ve got a lot of time before the conference tournament. He should be good to go. He’s a tough dude. If he’s kind of falling down like that, he’s hurting.”

As for Davis’s status?

“I would say it’s definitely precautionary. I don’t know the timetable with him and what he’s doing,” he said. “It could be next week. We’re not sure.”

No. 1 Penn State 35, Maryland 10

Penn State won 8 of 10 bouts. Luke Lilledahl (125), Shayne Van Ness (149), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Carter Starocci (184) and Josh Barr (197) all won by technical fall. Beau Bartlett (141) just missed a tech fall and settled for a major decision. Levi Haines (174) and Greg Kerkvliet (285) posted decisions.

Other than Kasak’s injury default loss, Maryland’s only other win came at133 where No. 11 Braxton Brown posted a 9-1 major decision over Penn State backup Kyison Garcia.

A highlight for the Nittany Lions was the rapid improvement of Lilledahl.

He lived up to his Lightning Luke nickname in his 20-4 technical fall over Tyler Garvin in 3:42. He struck for three takedowns in the first period,pancaking Garvin to his back for a seven-point move in one exchange and led 13-2 after one. Lilledahl tacked on two takedowns in the second to end the bout.

Lilledahl has shown steady, marked improvement, especially in the last month.

“I think I’m definitely feeling a lot more comfortable just going out there and just learning how to just let it flow and just wrestle through every position,” he said. “(I’m not being) so timid in my attacks and not relying so much on my counterattacks, which are obviously really good, but my other attacks are good as well.”

Sanderson said Lilledahl is improving in all positions.

“I agree. He’s getting better every match. And not just in one position or one thing. It’s in all three positions, bottom, top, he’s riding well. Turning now, obviously, as you’re seeing. He’s always been one of the best guys in the world on his feet, his positioning and his reshots. You saw some great attacks today,” Sanderson said.

No. 1 Penn State 39, No. 19 Michigan 0

The Nittany Lions recorded two falls, by Lilledahl (125) and Haines (174), a technical fall from Starocci (184), a major decision from Mesenbrink (165)and decisions from Garcia (133), Bartlett (141), Van Ness (149), Tyler Kasak (157) and Barr.

After dropping a 5-1 decision to No. 1 Stephen Buchanan of Iowa a week ago, Barr was paired with No. 2 Jacob Cardenas in the marquee bout of the evening.

The pair swapped escapes and squared off like a pair of big cats on their feet, sometimes in a three-point stance, sometimes on all fours. But neither was able to get a deep penetrating shot as the match went to the sudden victory period. Again, neither was able to score a winning takedown but each had near misses in the overtime period.

In the first tiebreaker period, Barr deferred his choice and Cardenas chose bottom. Barr was able to ride him for 8 seconds before the Wolverine escaped. Barr went down in the second tiebreaker period and Cardenas erased all of Barr’s riding time as the pair went out of bounds. Barr needed an escape and takedown or a reversal and rideout to win.

“After we went out of bounds the first or second time, he was already up in riding time,” Barr said. “It was kind of like desperation mode at that point. (It was) just staying focused and I had to get a reversal to win. So, that’s just what I was focused on.”

As the clock ticked under 10 seconds, Barr stood, turned in and collapsed Cardenas to the mat, maintaining control with 4 seconds remaining to pullout the 3-2 win.

A crowd of 14,355 that didn’t have many reasons to get amped up finally had a reason to roar as the clock ran out and Barr stood and flexed.

“Honestly, I thought I could have wrestled a lot better tonight,” Barr said.“So, it’s just another opportunity to get better. (I’m) grateful for the opportunities the Big Ten brings.”

Sanderson, who watched his team tie a program record with its fifth shutout of the season, a mark the 2012-13 team established, seemed somewhat satisfied with the win.

“I think overall we wrestled fine. I think the guys went out and did what they needed to do. Michigan’s always got a tough team,” he said.The Nittany Lions hit the road for their next two duals. T

hey head to Columbus, Ohio, first for a 7 p.m. Friday dual with Ohio State, then head to Champaign, Illinois, for a 2 p.m. Sunday dual with Illinois.

No. 1 Penn State 35, Maryland 10

(Sunday at University Park)

125: No. 7 Luke Lilledahl, PSU, tech. fall Tyler Garvin, 20-4(3:42). 133: No. 11 Braxton Brown, MD, maj. dec. Kyison Garcia, 9-1. 141: No. 3 Beau Bartlett, PSU, maj. dec. Dario Lemus, 17-3. 149: No. 3 Shayne Van Ness, PSU, tech fall No. 32 Kal Miller, 17-2 (7:00). 157: No. 6 Ethen Miller, MD, won by inj. def. over No. 1 Tyler Kasak, 4:21. 165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU, tech fall Alex Uryniak, 18-3 (4:59). 174: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU, dec. Branson John, 8-1. 184: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU, tech. fall No. 11 Jaxon Smith,20-3 (6:45). 197: No. 4 Josh Barr, PSU, tech. fall Chase Mielnik, 17-2(4:46). 285: No. 2 Greg Kerkvliet, PSU, dec. No. 12 Seth Nevills, 8-3.

No. 1 Penn State 39, No. 19 Michigan 0

(Friday at University Park)

125: No. 7 Luke Lilledahl, PSU, pinned Christian Tanefeu, 5:38. 133: Kyison Garcia, PSU, dec. Nolan Wertanen, 4-1. 141: No. 3 Beau Bartlett, PSU, dec. No. 12 Sergio Lemley, 3-2. 149: No. 3 Shayne Van Ness, PSU, dec. Dylan Gilcher, 7-1. 157: No. 1 Tyler Kasak, PSU, dec. Zack Mattin, 7-2. 165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink, PSU, maj. dec. No. 10 Beau Mantanona, 18-4. 174: No. 2 Levi Haines, PSU, pinned No. 29 Joseph Walker, 2:37. 184: No. 1 Carter Starocci, PSU, tech fall No. 24 Jaden Bullock, 19-4 (7:00). 197: No. 4 Josh Barr, PSU, No. 2 Jacob Cardenas, 3-2 TB2. 285: No. 2 Greg Kerkvlliet, PSU, dec. No. 8 Josh Heindselman, 6-0.