Penn State took on two Big Ten teams on the road this weekend and destroyed both of them. The Lions beat Northwestern 38-3 Friday night and then shut out Wisconsin 43-0 Sunday afternoon. It was Penn State’s first dual shutout in their Big Ten history and the first time Wisconsin was shut out in over half a century. Penn State’s only loss on the weekend was a close 2-1 bout between Dylan Alton and #3 Jason Welsh of Northwestern. The numbers are just plain crazy, as a team, Penn State gave up just 6 takedowns combined, while amassing 53. The Nittany Lions had 4 pins, 3 tech falls, 3 major decisions and one bout end on injury default. Penn State combined for 24 bonus points.
#17 Northwestern
Wt | Winner | dec. | Loser | Bout Score | Team Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
125: | # 10 Nico Megaludis PSU | dec | #7 Levin Mele NU | 7-3 | 3-0 |
133: | Frank Martellotti PSU | dec | Jameson Oster NU | 10-4 | 6-0 |
141: | Bryan Pearsall PSU | inj. def. | Colin Shober NU | Inj. Def.; 3:18 | 12-0 |
149: | #1 Frank Molinaro PSU | maj. dec. | Kaleb Friedley NU | 10-0 | 16-0 |
157: | #3 Jason Welsh NU | dec | #9 Dylan Alton PSU | 2-1 | 16-3 |
165: | #1 David Taylor PSU | tech fall | Pierce Harger NU | 20-5 (TF; 7:00) | 21-3 |
174: | #2 Ed Ruth PSU | tech fall | #9 Lee Munster NU | 18-3 (TF; 5:37) | 26-3 |
184: | #3 Quentin Wright PSU | pinned | Marcus Shrewsbury NU | WBF (2:41) | 32-3 |
197: | #13 Morgan McIntosh PSU | dec | John Schoen NU | 6-4 | 35-3 |
285: | #6 Cameron Wade PSU | dec | #19 Mike McMullan NU | 6-3 | 38-3 |
Megaludis served notice that he belongs ranked in the top 10. Nico shot early and often against Mele, forced a stall warning, and converted on several attempts. Megaludis continues to get better as the season unfolds. Alton’s tough loss can be chalked up to inexperience. Like his brother last season, Dylan is not on par with the top guys when it comes to mat work. Neither wrestler got a takedown, a 3rd period riding time point for Welsh was the difference. Alton needs to work on getting out from the bottom position.
Wisconsin
Wt | Winner | dec. | Loser | Bout Score | Team Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
125: | # 10 Nico Megaludis PSU | pinned | Austin Hietpas UW | WBF (6:05) | 6-0 |
133: | Frank Martellotti PSU | maj. dec | Shane McQuade UW | 14-6 | 10-0 |
141: | Bryan Pearsall PSU | dec | Thomas Glenn UW | 4-2 | 13-0 |
149: | #1 Frank Molinaro PSU | maj. dec | #9 Cole Schmitt UW | 12-0 | 17-0 |
157: | #9 Dylan Alton PSU | dec | Shawn Perry UW | 11-4 | 20-0 |
165: | #1 David Taylor PSU | pinned | Alex Yde UW | WBF (2:28) | 26-0 |
174: | #2 Ed Ruth PSU | tech fall | Scott Liegel UW, | 17-2 (TF; 5:37) | 31-0 |
184: | #3 Quentin Wright PSU | pinned | Timmy McCall UW | WBF (6:05) | 37-0 |
197: | #13 Morgan McIntosh PSU | dec | Jackson Hein UW | 7-3 | 40-0 |
285: | #6 Cameron Wade PSU | dec | Cole Tobin UW | 6-4 | 43-0 |
Martellotti is slowly getting back to form after being out of the lineup for so long. Molinaro is so tough on top that he didn’t give up a point all weekend long. With Molinaro up 4-0 going into the third period, Schmitt chose down to start the third and was dominated. Molinaro turned Schmitt several times and turned a close match into a 12-0 whitewash. Murder’s row of Taylor, Ruth, and Wright were at it again accounting for 3 pins and 3 tech falls. If you wrestle Penn State and you’re not up when 157 comes around, you’re in trouble.
The other true freshman Morgan McIntosh seems to be a little off. Clay Steadman who was working color commentator for Jeff Byers suggested that perhaps McIntosh doesn’t have the confidence yet. Morgan has proven he can hang with the big boys he just needs to take the next step and start dominating unranked wrestlers.
Another weekend of wrestling and another head scratcher for Cameron Wade. Wade beat a ranked wrestler but almost lost to Cole Tobin who barely had a winning record (6-5). In fact, Wade had to milk a 6-4 3rd period lead and had a stall call against him. That bout was way too close for comfort.
Penn State now returns home for the huge home dual against Iowa Sunday at 2 pm. The match is sold out and should be a great one. If you can’t get excited about wrestling Iowa at home, you need to check your pulse.
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