Photo: No. 2 Rocco Welsh (pictured in last week’s dual against Michigan) defeated No. 8 Dylan Fishback with two takedowns in the final minute for a dramatic come-from-behind victory against his former team. Photo by Sam Janicki.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The No. 1 Penn State Nittany Lions took down a short-handed second-ranked Ohio State squad, 36-5, Friday night before a Penn State record 16,006 fans at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College.
“We had a lot of tough battles tonight, and our guys fought hard and went and scored those points when they needed them,” Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson said. “We have a great team, and our culture and friendship and camaraderie has never been as close as it is right now.
“The kids are coming here because they want to be a part of something special. With everything going on in college athletics, we are getting a lot of like-minded people here now. That is what is most fun as a coach. The kids care about each other.”
Penn State accumulated 25 takedowns in the dominant effort to Ohio State’s five.
The marquee matchups of the night at 125 and 133, respectively, were won by Nittany Lions in hotly contested battles.
Top-ranked Luke Lilledahl earned a 4-1 SV decision over fellow Wyoming Seminary alum and third-ranked Nic Bouzakis in the dual meet’s opening bout at 125 lbs.
At 133, No. 2 Ben Davino of Ohio State led No. 4 Marcus Blaze, 2-1, heading into the second set of tiebreakers. Blaze held just a nine-second advantage in riding time but was able to secure a match-winning reversal with under 10 seconds remaining to claim a 3-2 TB2 victory.
“They are both dogs, and we have a lot of confidence in those guys late (in matches),” Sanderson said of Lilledahl and Blaze. “Marcus showed he has a huge heart, and that was fun to see. This is just a game. It is not the end-all be-all, but it is important to compete fearlessly. You don’t have a lot to lose when you’re just playing a game in an awesome matchup with a great crowd.”
Ohio State got on the board after two-time defending NCAA champion Jesse Mendez used two feet-to-back moves to blow by Braeden Davis for an 18-2 tech fall at 141 pounds.
The Nittany Lions went on to secure bonus points in the next four bouts before 184-pounder Rocco Welsh, an Ohio State transfer, scored two takedowns in the final minute to secure a dramatic come-from-behind victory over No. 8 Dylan Fishback. A 2024 NCAA finalist for the Buckeyes, Welsh trailed 4-0 in the second period but used an escape and two go-behinds to secure the 7-6 decision.
No. 1 Josh Barr scored a major decision over Ohio State’s No. 11 Luke Geog, 11-2, before an upset win from No. 16 Cole Mirasola over Ohio State’s No. 3 Nick Feldman closed out the meet. Mirasola, who nearly scored a takedown in the third period, capitalized on a counter attack in the sudden victory period to notch the victory.
“I knew when we got to overtime by the look on his (Feldman’s) face, I had it,” Mirasola said. “I knew he was done. I felt like he was really exhausted, and I could go get a score when I needed to. He is a great opponent, and it is fun to go wrestle these great guys.
“Our coaches are the best in the world and they have us ready; we are ready for the big moments. It is what we live for.”
“He (Mirasola) wrestled hard and smart,” Sanderson said. “His ability to win scrambles and attack legs as a big guy, we love that. He is just going to keep getting better.”
No. 1 Penn State 36, No. 2 Ohio State 5
125: No. 1 Luke Lilledahl (PSU) dec. No. 3 Nic Bouzakis, 4-1 SV.
133: No. 4 Marcus Blaze (PSU) dec. No. 2 Ben Davino, 3-2 TB.
141: No. 1 Jesse Mendez (OSU) TF No. 12 Braeden Davis, 18-2 (5:48)
149: No. 1 Shayne Van Ness (PSU) TF Brogan Fielding, 20-5 (6:17)
157: No. 2 PJ Duke (PSU) fall Daxton Chase, 3:28
165: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) maj. No. 14 Paddy Gallagher, 12-2
174: No. 1 Levi Haines (PSU) TF TJ Schierl, 16-1 (4:16)
184: No. 2 Rocco Welsh (PSU) dec. No. 8 Dylan Fishback, 7-6
197: No. 1 Josh Barr (PSU) maj. No. 11 Luke Geog, 11-2
285: No. 16 Cole Mirasola (PSU) dec. No. 3 Nick Feldman, 4-1 SV