No. 1 Penn State wrestling (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) bested No. 6 Ohio State (12-2, 4-1 Big Ten) in the Nittany Lions’ return to Rec Hall Friday Night. The dual marks the first of back-to-back matchups between the blue and white and a top-ten opponent, as Penn State will travel to No. 2 Iowa later this week.

Highlighting the dual were all eight of the bout winners as they continued their undefeated season.

How It Happened

125 Pounds

Kicking off the dual was No. 3 Braeden Davis taking on Vincent Kilkeary. Neither wrestler posed a real offensive threat throughout the first period. After an escape from Kilkeary to open up the scoring in the second period, Davis secured the match’s first takedown, taking a 3-2 lead into the final two minutes. Kilkeary, aiming for a takedown, allowed Davis to escape to start the period. After being handed a stall call with under a minute left, a tough takedown defense from Davis gave the freshman a 4-3 decision win.

133 Pounds

Next to the mat was No. 5 Aaron Nagao battling against No. 12 Nic Bouzakis. Nagao fell victim to three takedowns in the first period, giving the Buckeye a 9-2 lead after the opening period. Nagao showed signs of life in the second period with an escape and a takedown of his own. However, a reversal from Bouzakis kept the Buckeye comfortably in the lead as the third period began. Two takedowns from Nagao tightened the score, but it wasn’t enough to come out on top, and the Nittany Lion dropped a 13-10 decision to Bouzakis.

141 Pounds

Back in action after the loss was No. 2 Beau Bartlett and No. 3 Jesse Mendez. After no points were scored in the first period, Mendez opened up the scoring with an escape to kick off the second period, which was the only point in the period. Bartlett secured an escape of his own to tie up the scoring at 1-1, and neither wrestler scored following and the dual entered sudden victory. In the opening seconds of sudden victory, Bartlett turned takedown defense into offense as he secured a handful of near-fall points to take the win.

The dual score read 6-3 in favor of the Nittany Lions after three bouts.

149 Pounds

Returning to the lineup at 149 pounds was No. 12 Tyler Kasak challenging No. 9 Dylan D’Emilio. Kasak rode out most of the second period, collecting two near-fall points on the way after no points were scored in the first period. A takedown from Kasak in the third period secured the 7-2 decision victory after riding time.

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157 Pounds

In action next was No. 1 Levi Haines against No. 29 Isaac Wilcox. A takedown from Haines in the final seconds of the period gave the Nittany Lion a 3-1 lead. An escape from Wilcox was the only point scored in the second period with Haines still leading 3-2. Two additional takedowns from Haines gave the Nittany Lion the 11-3 major decision.

The dual score read 13-3 heading into intermission.

165 Pounds

Starting off the dual once again after intermission was No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink taking on No. 20 Bryce Hepner. Two takedowns from Haines in the first period gave the Nittany Lion a 6-2 lead after one. A reversal from Mesenbrink in the final seconds of the middle period extended his lead to 8-2. A final reversal from Mesenbrink in the third period secured a 10-4 decision victory.

174 Pounds

Next to the mat was No. 1 Carter Starocci staring down No. 11 Rocco Welsh. A takedown from Starocci highlighted the first period as he took a 3-1 lead into the second. An escape from Welsh was the only point scored in the middle period, though Starocci still led 3-2. An escape from Starocci proved to be enough to hold on for the 4-2 decision victory.

The dual score read 19-3.

184 Pounds

At 174 pounds, No. 5 Bernie Truax wrestled against Ryder Rogotzke. Two takedowns in the first from Truax gave the blue and white wrestler a 6-2 lead after the first three minutes. After securing a third takedown in the reopening seconds of the middle period, Truax would be turned on his back by Rogotzke where the Buckeye would secure the fall.

197 Pounds

Stepping to the mat after the pin was No. 1 Aaron Brooks taking on No. 22 Luke Geog. Brooks quickly secured two takedowns in the first period to take an early 6-1 lead. Two more takedowns in the second period from Brooks extended his lead to 12-3 as the wrestler continued to inch toward a tech fall. Another pair of takedowns in the third period gave Brooks the 22-6 tech fall at 6:21.

Heavyweight

Closing out the dual at heavyweight was No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet battling against No. 12 Nick Feldman. A single takedown from Kerkvliet in the first period gave the Nittany Lion a 3-0 lead. An escape and two more takedowns from Kerkvliet extended his lead to 7-0 after two periods. Total domination from Kerkvliet in the third period allowed for a 12-0 major decision to close out the dual.

The final dual score read 28-9 in favor of Penn State

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will be in action next against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City on Friday, February 9. The dual will begin at 9 p.m. and be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.