Seniors from the Penn State University wrestling team and their family members pose during a Senior Day ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Penn State Wrestling)

UNIVERSITY PARK — The No. 1 Penn State wrestling team celebrated Senior Day and its final dual meet of the seaons in decidedly Nittany Lion fashion Sunday to the delight of 6,431 fans.

The 41st straight Rec Hall sellout crowd witnessed Penn State’s 45th consecutive victory, a record 55-0 win over Buffalo. The win, which featured seven falls, a forfeit, a major decision and a decision, featured the most points in a dual meet in program history and tied for the most falls. Penn State held a 23-1 edge in takedowns, too.

It capped Penn State’s third straight undefeated season. The last time the Nittany Lions lost a dual meet was Feb. 15, 2015 at Oklahoma State (21-18) in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

“Obviously, their team is banged up right now. We wish them well,” Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said of a Bulls squad that was missing five starters.

“Our guys wrestled well. This is the time of year when bonus points make a big difference. We want guys looking for bonus points. If they’re there, we’ve got to get them.”

About the only drama of the lopsided dual was who would get the nod at 197 pounds, something Sanderson said earlier in the week would be an indicator of who would represent Penn State in the postseason. That man was Shakur Rasheed.

“I don’t know what the deciding factor is. It’s just taking all things into consideration,” Sanderson said. “Obviously, we’re very comfortable and believe in both of them, like I’ve said all along. We’re just leaning toward Shak right now. Sending him out today, that’s what we said would be the indicator of who we’re going to send to Big Tens. As of now, that’s the plan.”

After Carson Kuhn received a forfeit win at 125 pounds, Corey Keener closed out his Penn State dual meet career with a workmanlike 8-3 decision over Justin Patrick at 133. A takedown in each period helped fuel the win.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to represent a program like this in my last year. I’m super thankful that in my short time I’ve been supported by the fans,” Keener said.

“I’m definitely happy that I spent my last year here. I wouldn’t change anything. It’s been a great experience, even though it’s been short.”

The Nittany Lions then expanded their lead to 27-0 at the break with three consecutive falls. Nick Lee (4:37), Zain Retherford (4:09) and Bo Pipher (1:53) went back-to-back-to-back.

Lee ran an arm bar and settled in for his fall.

Retherford used his patented bow and arrow pinning combination to end his match. He had his hand raised, made a quick wave to the crowd and reached down and slapped the mat twice before running off to a standing ovation.

“It was awesome, as always. I was just trying to be myself out there, not really change up what I do because it was the last one. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to wrestle out there,” Retherford said.

For Retherford, it was his 85th consecutive win, just three shy of Kerry McCoy’s program record of 88 straight. The three-time All-American and two-time defending NCAA champion is also the reigning Hodge Trophy recipient. It was his 52nd career pin. He’s one shy of tying the all-time program record of 53 shared by David Taylor and Josh Moore.

Retherford finished his career 59-0 in dual meets, joining Taylor (63-0), Ed Ruth (55-0), and Andy Matter (33-0) as the only Nittany Lions in program history to finish with a 100-percent dual winning percentage.

Pipher, taking a page from Rasheed, locked up a crossface cradle and made quick work of his opponent.

After the break, Vincenzo Joseph found himself in a competitive match through a period. He opened up an 8-3 lead on Noah Grover before the Bull took him down to his back for a four-point move. Joseph only allowed an escape the rest of the way in a 16-8 major decision.

The final four bouts took less combined time than a regulation 7:00 match as the Nittany Lions racked up four pins in a combined 5:52.

Mark Hall hit a wicked headlock at 174 and ended his match in 56 seconds. Bo Nickal followed with the second-fastest pin in Penn State history, in just 11 seconds. He ties David Taylor for second. Dylan Alton recorded the fastest, in 8 seconds, in 2013.

Rasheed followed at 197 by once again locking up a crossface cradle and scoring a fall in 1:57.

Finally, at 285, Nick Nevills needed 2:48 to score a fall and send the crowd home happy.

Before the crowd dispersed, it was showered with a host of T-shirts and the entire Penn State roster literally gave the shirts off their backs to a list of fans who had their names drawn.

Penn State recognized eight wrestlers on Senior Day: Jered Cortez, Keener, Kuhn, Matt McCutcheon, Retherford, Ethan Wissler, Devon Van Cura and Kenny Yanovich.

The Nittany Lions have nearly two weeks off before heading to East Lansing, Michigan, for the 2018 Big Ten Wrestling Championships on March 3-4.

No. 1 Penn State 55

Buffalo 0

(Sunday at University Park)

125: Carson Kuhn, PSU, won by forfeit.

133: Corey Keener, PSU, dec. Justin Patrick, 8-3.

141: No. 8 Nick Lee, PSU, pinned Nick Casella, 4:37.

149: No. 1 Zain Retherford, PSU, pinned Nick Palumbo, 4:10.

157: Bo Pipher, PSU, pinned Eric Fasnacht, 1:53.

165: No. 3 Vincenzo Joseph, PSU, maj. dec. Noah Grover, 16-8.

174: No. 2 Mark Hall, PSU, pinned Derek Holcomb, :56.

184: No. 1 Bo Nickal, PSU, pinned Brett Perry, :11.

197: No. 5 Shakur Rasheed, PSU, pinned Joe Ariola, 1:57.

285: No. 4 Nick Nevills, PSU, pinned Nolan Terrance, 2:48.

Ridge Riley Award winner: Zain Retherford, 149 pounds.

Attendance: 6,431.

Referee: Jamie George.

Takedowns: Buffalo 1; Penn State 23.

Records: Buffalo 5-12; Penn State 14-0, 9-0 Big Ten.

Next match: Penn State at 2018 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, March 3-4, East Lansing, Michigan.