Penn State Wrestling at Clarion: Dual Preview

By the time you read this, you'll know how off I was on my predictions of the Pitt dual. Whether I was too homeristic or not, one thing's for sure--Clarion's no Pitt, coming into this matchup with an 0-4 record on the season (all at the EMU Duals, it must be said), having lost to SIU-Edwardsville, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Northwestern. November 15th was a bad day for this PSU opponent, and it doesn't get any easier for them; PSU has faced Clarion 30 times, and boasts a 25-4-1 record all time. Last year on senior day, the Nittany Lions won 43-3 behind four pins--including those by returners Morgan McIntosh and Matt Brown--and a tech fall by Jimmy Gulibon.

This year, expect more of the same. The match isn't on TV, but you can find the radio listings for the 7 pm start here.

125 LBS

#12 Jordan Conaway vs. FR Seth Carr (McDonald, PA/South Fayette)

Nico started us off great last year in this dual at this weight with a tech in five minutes; while I don't expect quite the firepower, Jordan should get the night started off right.

Line: Conaway by MD

133 LBS

#5 Jimmy Gulibon vs. FR Matt Liggett (Chardon, OH)

Last year's tech by Jimmy in three minutes in this meet was possibly the biggest positive surprise (Jimmy Lawson's lone PSU loss being the biggest negative). From what I've seen from Gulibon so far this year, I think he can do it again--especially because Liggett was just pinned last week by Jordan Northrup of NIU.

Line: Jimmy by TF

141 LBS

Kade Moss OR Michael Waters vs. JR John Pezze (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin)

Pezze is a junior, but he's 1-6 on the year. This is the first time I'm not picking a pick 'em at this weight this year, and though I think Pezze keeps the score close, I'm expecting Moss to dictate this one--unless he gets handled on Friday, in which case Waters gets the nod.

Line: Moss by D

149 LBS

#15 Zack Beitz vs. SR Sam Sherlock (West Mifflin, PA/West Mifflin)

Zack gets it done, and it won't be as close as the final score indicates.

Line: Zack by MD

157 LBS

Cody Law vs. FR Evan DeLong (Kane, PA/Kane)

DeLong is actually not bad at this weight this year, at 7-5 on the season; he's probably one of the best freshman wrestlers on this very young Clarion squad. But, then, Cody Law is also young and talented--and coached by Cael Sanderson.

Line: Law by D

165 LBS

Garett Hammond vs. JR Slade Horner (Ridgway, PA/Ridgway)

I'm a fan of Hammond, as those of you who jumped on my assessment a few days ago probably picked up. Regardless of what has by now happened in Pittsburgh, this should be a good springboard for the rest of the dual season for Garett.

Line: Hammond by MD

174 LBS

#3 Matt Brown vs. JR Michael Pavasko (Munhall, PA/Steel Valley)

Pavasko was one of the few Golden Eagles to win his last match against NIU, but his last time up against a NIttany Lion he didn't fare so well--he got pinned by the Magic Man in a scant eleven seconds. This year, he's up a weight class and he's facing another top three opponent in Matt Brown. Brown should cruise to a victory, though I'm loathe to predict another pin--that's just asking for trouble.

Line: Hulk Hands by TF

184 LBS

#19 Matt McCutcheon vs. SR Daniel Sutherland (North Bellmore, NY)

Nearly all of Clarion's lineup from last year is changed, and this weight is no different. Sutherland is a senior and has experience in the weight room, coming in 6-5 on the season--and having been pinned by Morgan McIntosh last year at the next weight up. He's up against another ranked Lion this year in McCutcheon--and whatever happened on Friday, Matt's still riding high from East Stroudsburg.

Line: McCutcheon by MD

197 LBS

#4 Morgan McIntosh vs. SR Ryan Darch (Batavia, NY)

Darch got majored in his last bout, and Morgan is still Morgan. I have nothing to go on besides the first dual at this point, but the lack of McIntosh's offense in that bout is still with me--I'm expecting he'll have trouble putting away a major, though he should be able to win.

Line: McIntosh by D

285 LBS

#7 Jon Gingrich OR Jimmy Lawson vs. SO Evan Daley (Erie, PA/Fort LaBoeuf)

Daley, as a freshman, is who beat Jimmy last year 7-6. There should be no repeat this year, especially if it's Jon who gets the nod as most of us expect.

Line: Jon by D

Overall vs Clarion

You can call me a homer again, I don't mind.  This is Clarion we're talking about...and besides, bscaff picked it worse last year.

PSU 38, Clarion 0.