Nov. 20, 2007
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Phil Davis (Harrisburg, Pa.), ranked No. 2 in the nation at 197 pounds, posted a 6-2 decision over No. 3 Mike Tamillow of Northwestern in the 2007 NWCA All-Star Classic, held at the University of Oregon. Davis and head coach Troy Sunderland attended the exhibition event in Eugene, Ore.
Davis found himself on the defensive early as Tamillow nearly scored on three different occasions in the first period. But Davis' maneuverability on top allowed him to escape each Tamillow scoring threat and keep the bout scoreless after one period. Davis chooses down to begin the second period and quickly turns his choice into not a one point escape, but a two point reversal. The three-time Nittany Lion All-American built up some solid riding time before Tamillow managed to scramble out for an escape. Still, Davis led 2-1 with 1:00 left in the middle stanza.
Tamillow once again got in on Davis' ankle after the restart halfway through the second, but Davis keeps Tamillow at a distance and his other leg free to avoid giving up any points and taking the 2-1 lead into the third. The Wildcat 197-pounder chooses down to begin the third period and begins to work into Davis' riding time edge. But Davis, always dangerous on top, locks Tamillow into a cradle. Davis gets three near fall points with the move and clinches the riding time point. The Lion senior would maintain control of Tamillow until the Wildcat grappler escaped to a 5-2 deficit with just :20 left. Davis tacked on the riding time bonus point at the end to post a convincing 6-2 victory over third-ranked Tamillow.
The victory, being in an exhibition, does not count towards Davis' season record. However, in the span of nine days, Davis has begun his 2007-08 season with wins over the eighth, sixth and third ranked wrestlers in the country by a combined score of 35-5. Davis is 2-0 on the year with wins over No. 8 Hudson Taylor of Maryland (a 17-2 tech. fall) and No. 6 Joe Rovelli of Hofstra (a 12-1 major).
Penn State will return to action next Sunday, Dec. 2, when it competes in the Nittany Lion Open in Rec Hall. Action for that event begins at 8:30 a.m. The Nittany Lion Open is not part of Penn State's regular season ticket package. NLO tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students, $2 as part of a group package and free to Nittany Lion Wrestling Club members, Penn State students with ID and season ticket holders. Penn State will return to action on Friday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 9, when it visits Lehigh and Oklahoma State, respectively. Penn State's next home dual will be on Jan. 4, when Cornell visits Rec Hall for a 7 p.m. dual.