15	22
St. John Arena | Columbus, Ohio | 6,109

Columbus, Ohio - The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team, ranked No. 7 in the latest Intermat Tournament Power Index, dropped a hard-fought 22-15 dual at No. 3 Ohio State in Big Ten road action. Head coach Cael Sanderson's squad lost its first dual since a road defeat at Minnesota last February.

The dual meet featured seven bouts pitting two ranked wrestlers against each other. It began at 125, where Lion junior Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 125, dropped a tough 11-2 major to No. 7 Nathan DiJulius. With the Lions trailing 4-0, sophomore Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 10 at 133, kept Penn State close with an outstanding 5-4 win over No. 4 Johnni DiJulius.

Ohio State extended its lead, however, as the Stieber brothers picked up important wins. No.1 Logan Stieber pinned red-shirt freshman Kade Moss (South Jordan, Utah) at the 2:51 mark at 141 and No. 6 Hunter Stieber notched a hard-fought 7-2 win over No. 17 Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.) at 149. With the Nittany Lions needing to keep close, senior Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 157, continued his strong January with a thrilling 3-1 (sv) win over No. 5 (and previously unbeaten) Josh Demas. The win cut Ohio State's lead to 13-6 at the break.

Red-shirt freshman Garett Hammond (Chambersburg, Pa.) met No. 6 Bo Jordan of Ohio State at 165 and dropped a hard-fought 10-6 decision. Senior Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah), ranked No. 4 at 174, put Penn State right back in the dual meet with a pin (4:27) over Ohio State's Dominic Prezzia. The fall was Brown's second of the weekend, his sixth of the year and the 28th of his career, tying him for 14th all-time at Penn State. Red-shirt freshman Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 16 at 184, lost a tough 4-2 decision to No. 11 Kenny Courts at 184 and the Buckeyes led 19-12. Junior Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.) ranked No. 4 at 197, suffered a 6-1 upset loss to No. 7 Kyle Snyder and the Buckeyes clinched the dual win, leading 22-12. Senior Jimmy Lawson (Toms River, N.J.), ranked No. 6 at 285, used a last second takedown to post a 3-1 win over No. 10 Nick Tavanello, making the dual final 22-15 in favor of the Buckeyes.

The loss was Penn State's first since an 18-17 loss at Minnesota on Feb. 9, 2014. Penn State is now 6-1 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten. Ohio State is 5-3, 1-1 B1G. Penn State returns to action on Friday, Jan. 16, with a 7 p.m. Big Ten road dual at Rutgers. The Lions' next home dual is set for Sunday, Jan. 18, when they host Purdue for a 1 p.m. start. A limited number of SRO tickets are available for select Penn State Rec Hall dual meets, although the SROs for the Lehigh dual are sold out. For ticket inquiries, call 1-800-NITTANY. Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at www.twitter.com/pennstateWREST and on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling. The 2014-15 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by The Family Clothesline.

#7 Penn State 15, #3 Ohio State 22
January 11, 2015 - St. John Arena - Columbus, Ohio

125: #7 Nathan Tomasello OSU maj. dec. #8 Jordan Conaway PSU, 11-2 / 0-4
133: #10 Jimmy Gulibon PSU dec. #4 Johnni DiJulius OSU, 5-4 / 3-4
141: #1 Logan Stieber OSU pinned Kade Moss PSU, WBF (2:51) / 3-10
149: #6 Hunter Stieber OSU dec. #17 Zack Beitz PSU, 7-2 / 3-13
157: #8 Dylan Alton PSU dec. #5 Josh Demas OSU, 3-1 (sv) / 6-13
165: #6 Bo Jordan OSU dec. Garett Hammond PSU, 10-6 / 6-16
174: #4 Matt Brown PSU pinned Dominic Prezzia OSU, WBF (4:27) / 12-16
184: #11 Kenny Courts OSU dec. #16 Matt McCutcheon PSU, 4-2 / 12-19
197: #7 Kyle Snyder OSU dec. #4 Morgan McIntosh PSU, 6-1 / 12-22
285: #6 Jimmy Lawson PSU dec. #10 Nick Tavanello OSU, 3-1 / 15-22
Attendance: 6,109
Records: Penn State 6-1, 2-1 B1G; Ohio State 5-3, 1-1 B1G
Up Next for Penn State: at Rutgers, Friday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m.

BOUT-BY-BOUT:

125: Junior Jordan Conaway (Abbottstown, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 125, met No. 7 Nathan Tomasello. Tomasello notched the first takedown quickly and then turned Conaway for a three-point near fall right out of the gates. The Buckeye freshman bolted out to the 5-0 lead and continued his ride past the 1:00 mark. Conaway was able to break free for an escape and a 5-1 score at the :50 mark and then quickly got in on a low single. He was unable to break through Tomasello's defense, however, and the Buckeye then blew through a high double for a 7-1 lead with 2:09 in riding time after one period. Tomasello chose down to start the second stanza but Conaway was able to maintain control from the top position until the 1:10 mark. Tomasello was able to force Conaway onto his heals and worked his way around for another takedown with :30 on the clock to open up a 10-1 lead. Trailing 10-1, Conaway chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 10-2 deficit, although Tomasello clinched the riding time point. Conaway worked for a takedown to try and avoid the major, but Tomasello was able to force a tie-up that killed essentially killed the clock and grab the 11-2 major.

133: Sophomore Jimmy Gulibon (Latrobe, Pa.), ranked No. 10 at 133, faced off against No. 4 Johnni DiJulius. Gulibon worked for shoulder control early but DiJulius was able to counter and work his way into a takedown and a 2-0 lead at the 1:48 mark. Gulibon was steady underneath, however, and reversed DiJulius to tie the score at the 1:10 mark. DiJulius escaped to a 3-2 lead and action resumed in the center circle with :40 left in the opening period. Trailing by one, Gulibon chose down to start the second period and escaped to a 3-3 tie at the 1:30 mark. Gulibon shot quickly and nearly notched a takedown, gaining control of DiJulius' shoulders as he tried to work his way behind for two. But a stalemate forced a reset at the 1:00 mark. Gulibon once again forced the Buckeye's shoulders to the mat but DiJulius was able to work his way back to his feet and the bout moved to the third period tied 3-3. DiJulius chose down to start the third and quickly escaped to a 4-3 lead. Gulibon worked shoulder control into a takedown and a 5-4 lead with 1:10 on the clock, however and maintained that control until a stalemate forced a reset with :35 on the clock. Gulibon continued to control the Buckeye, nearly turning him to his back, and then completed the ride out to post the 5-4 win.

141: Red-shirt freshman Kade Moss (South Jordan, Utah) stepped up and met No. 1 Logan Stieber, the defending NCAA champion at 141. Stieber fought off an early Moss shot on the edge of the mat and worked his way to a takedown and a 2-0 lead at the 2:00 mark. Stieber then turned Moss for back points, reset himself and then got the first period pin at the 2:51 mark.

149: Sophomore Zack Beitz (Mifflintown, Pa.), ranked No. 17 at 149, battled No. 6 Hunter Stieber. Stieber shot early and Beitz countered, nearly notching a counter takedown at the 2:20 mark. Beitz nearly connected on a low single at the 2:15 mark, Stieber stepped back out of trouble and then turned a low single into a takedown and a 2-0 lead with 2:00 left in the period. Beitz quickly escaped to a 2-1 score and action resumed in the center circle. Beitz shot Stieber off the mat with :37 on the clock, forcing a reset. Stieber gained control of Beitz's ankle off the reset and turned it into a takedown and a 4-1 lead with :20 left. A short ride-out had Beitz down 4-1 after one. The Lion sophomore chose down to start the second and quickly escaped to a 4-2 deficit. Beitz turned a low single leg into a scramble in the middle of the mat, but a stalemate ended the offensive threat with :42 left in the period. Beitz once again connected on a low single, nearly scoring, only to have Stieber counter at the buzzer for a takedown and a 6-2 lead. Stieber chose down to start the third period and escaped to a 7-2 lead with 1:26 left. Beitz continued to be the aggressor, connecting on another single leg. But once again, Stieber was able to force a stalemate and action resumed with :39 on the clock. Beitz got in on one final shot but Stieber was able to fight off the move and kill the clock for the 7-2 win.

157: Senior Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.), ranked No. 8 at 157, met No. 5 Josh Demas. The top ten battle began with each wrestler looking for an opening and trading quick shots. The first half of the period passed with action centered around the middle of the mat but defense held firm on both ends. The first period ended as it began, with both wrestlers hand-fighting in the middle of the mat and moved to the second period in a scoreless tie. Demas chose down to start the second period and Alton nearly caught him for a quick throw and pin. But Demas deftly rolled out of trouble and into an escape and a 1-0 lead. After a reset at the :37 mark, Alton connected on a high single, gaining control of Demas' left thigh. But the Buckeye was able to fight off the move and end the period with a 1-0 lead. Alton chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. The Lion senior continued to force Demas to the outside circle but could not break through the Buckeye's defense. After a reset at the :55 mark, Alton nearly turned another single leg into a takedown but once again, Demas was able to slide out of bounds and the bout continued tied 1-1 through regulation. Alton took a quick shot that Demas nearly countered for a takedown, but the Lion senior worked his way out of trouble and a reset ensued with :30 on the clock. With :10 left on the clock, Alton quickly shot, gained control of Demas' leg and fought through Demas' defense for a last second takedown, posting a thrilling 3-1 (sv) win.

165: Red-shirt freshman Garett Hammond (Chambersburg, Pa.) met No. 6 Bo Jordan at 165. Jordan gained control of Hammond's right leg with a high shot early but the Lion freshman was able to control Jordan's head and force a stalemate with 2:20 on the clock. Jordan, however scored quickly off the reset and led 2-1 after a fast Hammond escaped. Jordan shot low once again, looking for a second takedown. But Hammond fought off the move and kept the 2-1 score on the board with 1:00 left in the opening period. Jordan picked up his second takedown with :30 on the clock and rode Hammond out to lead 4-1 after one. Hammond chose down to start the second period and steadily worked his way to an escape. He then turned shoulder control into a quick takedown and tied the bout at 4-4 with 1:15 on the clock. Jordan escaped to a 5-4 lead but Hammond shot quickly and worked his way into control of Jordan's leg again. Jordan countered after a tough scramble and took a 7-4 lead with :20 on the clock. Hammond escaped as the period ended and trailed 7-5 after two periods. Jordan chose down to start the final period. Hammond rode him long enough to kill the riding time edge and then cut him to an 8-5 score. Jordan shot into control of Hammond's left leg but a stalemate ended action with :59 on the clock. Jordan used a low ankle pick into a takedown to lead 10-6 with :30 on the clock. Hammond tried to close the gap down the stretch but Jordan was able to fight off his effort and post the 10-6 win.

174: Senior Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah), ranked No. 4 at 174, met Dominic Prezzia at 174. Brown was aggressive out of the blocks, forcing the Buckeye to the outside circle for the first minute. He then turned a low single into a takedown and a 2-0 lead with 1:43 on the clock. Brown then dominated action from the top, building up over 1:00 in riding time while working for a chance to turn the young Buckeye. Prezzia was able to keep his belly flat on the mat, picking up one stall as Brown rode him out. Prezzia chose down to start the second period and Brown continued to try and turn the Buckeye. He picked up two near fall points to lead 4-0 at the 1:30 mark. He then cut him loose to a 4-1 score with 1:00 left and then blazed through a low single for another takedown and a 6-1 lead. A quick adjustment later, Brown turned the Buckeye for a pin at the 4:27 mark. The fall was Brown's second of the weekend, his sixth of the year and the 28th of his career, tying him for 14th all-time at Penn State.

184: Red-shirt freshman Matt McCutcheon (Apollo, Pa.), ranked No. 16 at 184, wrestled No. 11 Kenny Courts. The duo battled evenly for over a minute before Courts looked to score on a high single. McCutcheon was able to fight off the move and force a reset with 1:40 left, with action resuming in the center circle. The Lion freshman then fought off another Courts shot, keeping the score at 0-0 by fording another stalemate, this one with :28 left in the opening stanza. With the bout scoreless after one, McCutcheon chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead (with Courts picking up a stall warning). McCutcheon began to work Courts to the edge of the mat, staying centered in the mat. Courts shot low once again and McCutcheon worked his way underneath the Buckeye for a third stalemate with :38 left in the period. Trailing 1-0, Courts chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. With 1:40 left, Courts turned a shot into a takedown and a 3-1 lead. McCutcheon was unable to work his way up from a strong Courts ride and the Buckeye built up over 1:00 in riding time. McCutcheon escaped to a 3-2 score with :36 on the clock. McCutcheon worked furiously for a final takedown, but Courts was able to back way for the final :20 seconds and poste the 4-2 win (with 1:10 riding time).

197: Junior Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.), ranked No. 4 at 197, battled Buckeye Kyle Snyder, ranked No. 7. McIntosh quickly shot low, working into control of Snyder's ankle. But the Buckeye was able to force a stalemate and keep the bout scoreless with 2:00 on the clock. The duo battled evenly for the next two minutes, looking for shoulder control or low singles. With the bout in a scoreless tie, Snyder chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. Snyder shot low on McIntosh's ankle, gaining control of the Lion and working his way to a takedown and a 3-0 lead with :45 on the clock. McIntosh was unable to break free for an escape and Snyder led 3-0 after two periods. McIntosh chose down to start the third period but could not break free for an escape. Snyder was able to keep McIntosh under control until the :55 mark, cutting the lead to 3-1 (Snyder clinched the riding time point). Snyder notched one more takedown and, with 2:00 in riding time, posted the 6-1 win.

285: Jimmy Lawson (Toms River, N.J.), ranked No. 6 at 285, met No. 10 Nick Tavanello. The duo battled evenly for the opening minutes, working for shoulder control in the middle of the mat. Neither wrestler was able to connect on offense and the bout was scoreless after the opening stanza. Lawson chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped to a 1-0 lead. The tandem began working in the center of the mat again with Lawson trying to work an under hook into a chance to score. But Tavanello was equal to the task and Lawson led 1-0 after two periods. Tavanello chose down to start the third period and quickly escaped to a 1-1 tie. With 1:00 left in the bout, Lawson fought off a quick Tavanello shot to keep the bout tied. Tavanello worked his way into a single leg and nearly scored, but Lawson deftly worked his way around behind the Buckeye. With two seconds left, Lawson turned the scramble into a high double and took Tavanello down for the 3-1 win.