MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers, ranked No. 3 nationally, forged an 18-18 tie at No. 5 Minnesota on Sunday in a battle between two of the nation's top squads. Undefeated freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) and sophomore Andrew Long (Creston, Iowa) provided the spark for Penn State in the dual.
Senior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.), ranked No. 11 at 125, returned to the mat for the first time since January 8 to take on No. 5 Zach Sanders of Minnesota. The Lion nearly upset Sanders but dropped a scintillating 10-8 decision. Sophomore All-American Andrew Long (Creston, Iowa), ranked No. 9 at 133, continued his hot week with an impressive 14-4 major over talented Minnesota freshman David Thorn to put Penn State on top 4-3. Long is now 10-1 on the year with seven majors. Second-ranked Gopher senior Mike Thorn notched a late takedown to hold off Nittany Lion freshman Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 7, by a 4-1 score at 141. Fifth-ranked Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) held on for a 6-5 win over Minnesota's Danny Zilverberg at 149 to put Penn State up 7-6. Undefeated freshman Taylor nearly pinned Minnesota's Matt Mincey at 157 but did not get the call and settled for a 16-1 technical fall at the 6:15 mark to give the Lions a 12-6 lead at the break. Taylor, now 30-0, has posted bonus point decisions in 29 of his 30 wins. He has 13 technical falls, nine pins and seven majors.
Minnesota closed the gap with an 8-0 major from No. 11 Cody Yohn over Lion freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.) at 165. No. 2 Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) posted a 12-5 win over No. 12 Scott Glasser at 174, nearly picking up the major but for a last-second Glasser escape. The win put Penn State up 15-10. No. 9 Scott Glasser majored No. 13 Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) at 184 to cut Penn State's lead to 15-14 before Gopher junior Sonny Yohn returned to the line-up for the first time since December at 197. Yohn, who was ranked in the top ten before an injury at the Southern Scuffle, majored freshman Nick Ruggear (Oxford, Pa.) 10-2 to give Minnesota an 18-15 lead heading into the final bout of the dual. Junior Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 6 at heavyweight, clinched a dual meet tie with an exciting 2-0 win over No. 8 Tony Nelson in the final action of the day.
The dual meet, a Big Ten Network production, will air tonight as a same day tape delay at 9:30 p.m. (Eastern) on the BTN. Not only did the teams split the dual five bouts a piece, but each team had 14 takedowns as well. Penn State got its three bonus points off Taylor's technical fall and Long's major while Minnesota used majors at 165, 184 and 197. While only forging a tie, the deadlock marks the first time in Penn State history that the Nittany Lions have not lost in the Gophers' building.
Penn State returns to action on Friday, Feb. 18, with a 7 p.m. dual against No. 12 Wisconsin in Rec Hall. The match-up is Penn State's dual meet finale and will also serve as senior night. Tickets are disappearing fast but are still available. Fans wishing to purchase tickets can place their orders by calling 814-865-5555 or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket pricing is $8 for adults and $5 for youth, and there will be a limit of eight tickets per order. Group sales are also available. The 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. All Penn State events will once again air live on Forever Broadcasting's WRSC (1390 AM) and WSQV (92.1 FM). All radio broadcasts are streamed live at GoPSUsports.com as part of the All-Access package. The 2010-11 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
Results:
125: #5 Zach Sanders MN dec. #11 Brad Pataky PSU, 10-8 0-3
133: #9 Andrew Long PSU 14-4 maj. dec. David Thorn MN, 14-4 4-3
141: #2 Mike Thorn MN dec. #7 Andrew Alton PSU, 1-4 4-6
149: #5 Frank Molinaro PSU dec. Danny Zilverberg MN, 6-5 7-6
157: #3 David Taylor PSU tech fall Matt Mincey MN, 16-1 (TF; 6:15) 12-6
165: #11 Cody Yohn MN maj. dec. Jake Kemerer PSU, 8-0 12-10
174: #2 Ed Ruth PSU dec. #12 Scott Glasser MN, 12-5 15-10
184: #9 Kevin Steinhaus MN maj. dec. #13 Quentin Wright PSU, 10-1 15-14
197: Sonny Yohn MN maj. dec. Nick Ruggear PSU, 10-2 15-18
285: #6 Cameron Wade PSU dec. #8 Tony Nelson MN, 2-0 18-18
BOUT-BY-BOUT:
125: Senior Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.), ranked No. 11 at 125, returned to the mat for Penn State for the first time since January 8 to take on No. 5 Zach Sanders of Minnesota. The duo fought for position early in the opening period, with the action taking place in the center circle. Pataky gained control of Sanders' right leg, looking to score, but Sanders countered and rolled through the move for a takedown of his own to lead 2-0 at the 1:10 mark. Pataky was not able to work free of a strong Sanders ride and trailed by two after one period. Sanders chose down to start the second period and Pataky quickly controlled his wrist and turned him over for two back points to tie the score at 2-2. Pataky got hit for a stall warning before Sanders escaped to a 3-2 lead with :48 on the clock. Sanders then gained control of Pataky's leg and forced a scramble that led to a Sanders takedown with :11 left, giving Sanders a 5-2 lead with :13 in riding time after two periods of wrestling. Pataky chose down to start the third period and was cut loose to a 5-3 deficit. Pataky used a low double to gain control of Sanders' ankles and take him down to tie the score at 5-5. Sanders escaped for a one point lead and then took Pataky down to up his lead to 8-5 with 1:20 on the clock. Pataky could not work free of Sanders' control. Pataky gave up a penalty point with a third caution and trailed 9-5 with :40 on the clock. He then reversed the Gopher to cut the lead to 9-8 and cut Sanders loose. Time ran out before Pataky could get a tying takedown and Sanders escaped with a 10-8 win.
133: Sophomore All-American Andrew Long (Creston, Iowa), ranked No. 9 at 133, met Minnesota freshman David Thorn. Thorn came out of the gates aggressive and took an early 2-1 lead with a shoulder toss and a quick score. Long countered a low Thorn shot and took the 3-2 lead with his first takedown at the 1:45 mark. Long then turned Thorn for two back points and a 5-2 lead at the 1:00 mark. Long reset himself, turned Thorn again and upped his lead to 7-2 with another two-point near fall. Long rode Thorn out to lead 7-2 with 1:42 in riding time after one period. Thorn chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 7-3 deficit. Long fought off a Thorn shot attempt at the :30 mark and maintained his four-point lead, nearly took Thorn down at the end and then picked up a point on a personal misconduct penalty on Thorn at the buzzer. Long chose down to start the third with an 8-3 lead and 1:53 in riding time. A quick escaped gave Long a 9-3 lead. The sophomore All-American then gained control of Thorn and tossed him down for an 11-4 lead after a quick Thorn escape. Long secured the riding time as action hit the 1:00 mark. Long countered a late Thorn shot, then worked his way into a final takedown with :01 to clinch the major. The riding time point gave Long a 14-4 win and put Penn State up 4-3.
141: In one of the dual's most anticipated match-up, true freshman Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) faced off against Minnesota senior Mike Thorn at 141. Alton was ranked No. 7 while Thorn was ranked No. 2. Alton came out the aggressor early, shooting numerous times but not breaking through the Gopher senior defense for a takedown. Alton gained control of Thorn's left leg and spend the next :20 trying to take him down. But a stalemate was called at the :45 mark still scoreless. Tied 0-0, Alton chose down to start the second period. Thorn, known for his strong work on top, controlled the Lion freshman for over a minute before a stalemate forced a reset with :47 on the clock. Alton escaped to a 1-0 lead with :38 on the clock but Thorn had 1:24 in riding time. Thorn chose down to start the third period but Alton was able to control him long enough to kill the riding time edge before Thorn escaped to a 1-1 tie. Alton countered a Thorn shot and tried to control his shoulders but a stalemate was called at the :50 mark. Thorn then got control of Alton's right leg and scrambled his way to a takedown with :18 left to grab the hard-fought 4-1 win (with the riding time point).
149: Two-time All-American Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), ranked No. 5 at 149, faced Minnesota's Danny Zilverburg. Molinaro took Zilverburg down right away but the Gopher quickly reversed the Lion junior to tie the score at 2-2 less than :30 into the bout. Molinaro quickly escaped to a 3-2 lead and action resumed in the center circle. Molinaro then used a deep high single to up his lead to 5-2 with 1:30 on the clock and then began controlling the Gopher, looking for back points. Molinaro was dominant in control, keeping the Gopher down for the remainder of the period and also forcing a stall warning. Down 5-2 and facing 1:31 in riding time, Zilverberg chose down to start the second period. Molinaro cut him loose and Zilverberg quick got in on a single leg that he nearly turned into a tying takedown. After a reset, Zilverberg did tie the bout with a takedown at the 1:10 mark. Zilverberg was able to control Molinaro for the rest of the period and the bout went to the third tied 5-5. Molinaro chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 6-5 lead. Riding time was not a factor. Molinaro set the pace over the next minute, looking for a chance to score. The Lion countered a couple low Zilverberg shots and maintained his one point lead with :45 left in the bout. Molinaro gave up a stall warning with :20 left and Zilverberg nearly scored at the end of the bout. But Molinaro was able to hang on for the 6-5 win and put Penn State up 7-6.
157: Red-shirt freshman David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), ranked No. 3 at 157, faced off against Gopher sophomore Matt Mincey. Taylor began the bout in his typical aggressive style and got in on a couple shots early that Mincey was able to fight off. Taylor gained control of Mincey's ankle and the Gopher grabbed the mat to break the hold but was not called for the penalty. Taylor responded after the reset by quickly taking the Gopher down for a 2-0 lead at the 1:31 mark. Taylor quickly turned him for three back points and a 5-0 lead. The Lion freshman reset, turned him again for three points and led 8-1 after a late Mincey escape. Leading 8-1 with 1:29 in riding time, Taylor chose top to start the second stanza. Taylor turned Mincey for two back points at the 1:00 mark, nearly pinning the Gopher, and led 10-1. Mincey got hit for a stall warning before the period ended and Taylor led 10-1 with a clinched riding time point heading into the third. Mincey chose top to start the third period and Taylor quickly escaped to an 11-1 lead. Taylor then took him down to lead 13-1 and had the Gopher flat for a possible pin with a minute left in the bout. But the Lion freshman did not get the call and ended up with three back points for a 16-1 technical fall at the 6:15 mark. The win put Penn State up 12-6 at the break.
165: Penn State freshman Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa.) met No. 11 Cody Yohn of Minnesota at 165. Yohn was able to dictate the early pace but Kemerer countered with a couple shots of his own. Yohn gained control of Kemerer's shoulders at the 2:25 mark, but Kemerer was able to fight off the move and force a stalemate with 2:10 on the clock. Kemerer used a deep single to gain control of Yohn's right leg, but the ranked Gopher was able to force a stalemate with 1:45 left. Kemerer shot again and Yohn countered once more, this time snagging Kemerer's ankle and tripping him to the mat for a 2-0 lead with 1:05 on the clock. Yohn then turned Kemerer for two near fall points with :15 left and led 4-0 with 1:05 in time after one period. Kemerer chose neutral to start the second period and continued to shoot. But Yohn was able to step out of trouble each time and keep the Lion freshman from breaking through. Kemerer shot again and Yohn countered once more for a takedown and a 6-0 lead. Yohn was able to ride Kemerer out and led 6-0 with 2:27 in riding time after two periods. Yohn chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 7-0 lead. The Gopher also clinched the riding time point and was looking at a major if Kemerer could not cut into the lead. Kemerer continued to shoot, forcing the action. But Yohn was able to counter the Lion's shots and keep his lead. Kemerer continued to shoot and Yohn continued to block off the attempts but was hit with a first stall warning. Yohn held on and, with the time point, got the 8-0 major.
174: Red-shirt freshman Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 2 at 174, faced off against No. 12 Scott Glasser in one of the dual's marquee match-ups. Ruth gained control of Glasser's left ankle and worked for an early takedown. But the 12th-ranke Gopher was able to force a stalemate with 2:10 left in the opening period. Ruth continued to pressure Glasser, forcing the tempo and broke through with a double leg to lead 2-0 at the 1:26 mark. Glasser escaped at the :58 mark and action resumed in the center circle. Glasser took a couple shots that Ruth was able to fight off and the Lion led 2-1 heading into the second period. Ruth chose down and quickly escaped to a 3-1 lead. The Lion freshman then rolled through a low double for a 5-2 lead after a quick Glasser escape. Ruth got in on a single off a reset and led 7-2 with :40 left. Ruth got hit with a first stall warning during his ride out. Ruth led 7-2 with 1:17 in riding time after two periods and Glasser chose down to start the third period. Glasser escaped to a 7-3 deficit but Ruth quickly took him down again for a 9-3 lead with 1:20 left. Ruth cut Glasser loose at the 1:06 mark with a riding time point in hand and led 9-4. He then used a swift high double for another takedown and led 11-4 with :53 on the clock. Ruth then dominated the action from the top, needing to keep control of the 12th-ranked Glasser for the final :50 to secure the major. But Glasser got the escape at the :01 mark to keep from giving up bonus points. Ruth's 12-5 win put Penn State up 15-10.
184: Sophomore All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), ranked No. 13 at 184, battled No. 9 Kevin Steinhaus in yet another anticipated meeting of ranked opponents. Steinhaus quickly took Wright down for a 2-0 lead and then tacked on two back points for a 4-0 lead. Two more near fall points put the Gopher up 6-0 with 1:10 on the clock. Wright rolled his way to an escaped with :30 on the clock and trailed 6-1 (Steinhaus had 2:05 in riding time). Steinhaus chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 7-1 lead. The duo traded hip toss attempts and then Wright got in deep on a single ledge, looking for his first takedown. Wright scrambled but Steinhaus forced a stalemate at the :48 mark to hold his six-point lead. Steinhaus used a duck under for another takedown and a 9-1 lead with :20 left in the period. Trailing 9-1 and facing 2:32 in riding time, Wright chose down to start the third period. Steinhaus clinched the riding time point and maintained control of the Penn State sophomore, not allowing Wright an escape. The ride-out gave Steinhaus 4:33 in riding time and a 10-1 major, cutting Penn State's lead to 15-14.
197: Penn State freshman Nick Ruggear (Oxford, Pa.) took on Gopher junior Sonny Yohn, who up until suffering an injury at the Southern Scuffle, was ranked among the nation's elite at 197. Yohn took Ruggear down at the 1:49 mark to take a 2-0 lead and began looking for a chance to turn the Lion freshman for back points or more. Ruggear was not able to break free of a strong Yohn ride and trailed 2-0 with 1:48 in riding time for the Gopher after one period. Yohn chose down to start the middle stanza and quickly escaped to a 3-0 lead. Ruggear got in deep on a low double but Yohn was able to slide out of bounds and force a reset with 1:30 on the clock. Ruggear shot again and this time Yohn countered for a takedown at the :42 mark, taking a 5-0 lead. Yohn rode Ruggear out again and led 5-0 with 2:26 in riding time after two periods. Ruggear chose down to start the third period but could not break free of Yohn's ride once again. Yohn clinched the bonus point then cut Ruggear loose to a 5-1 lead. He then took him down and cut him to lead 7y-2 with :40 on the clock. Yohn got in deep on a single and scrambled for a takedown with :26 left to lead 9-2. Ruggear could not work out of control and Yohn posted the 10-2 major to put Minnesota up 18-15.
285: With the dual on the line, junior heavyweight Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), ranked No. 6 at heavyweight, met No. 8 Tony Nelson of Minnesota in yet another meeting of top-ten grapplers. Nelson took the first shot and nearly gained control of Wade, but the Lion junior was able to fight through the move and action returned to the center circle. Wade countered with a low single of his own, but Nelson forced the shot away and the bout remained scoreless with 1:50 on the clock. Wade nearly made a deep double under hook work for a takedown, but Nelson was able to break free of the attempt. The duo battled evenly for the rest of the period and the bout went to the second stanza tied 0-0. Wade chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead (nearly reversing Nelson in the process). Wade got in on another double under hook but once again could not break through Nelson's defense and maintained a 1-0 lead heading into the third period. Nelson chose down to start the third period and Wade was able to control the Gopher for nearly a minute. But Nelson worked his way into position for a near reversal but Wade held on long enough to force a stalemate and hold his 1-0 lead and control. Wade kept control of Nelson long enough to build up the riding time edge. Wade got hit with a stall warning at the :24 mark, but still maintained control (he clinched the riding time point). Wade then rode Nelson out to post a hard fought 2-0 win and clinch the dual meet tie.
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