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Penn State Wrestling’s top 25 dual meets in the Cael Sanderson era

By Chris Snyder

STATE COLLEGE, PA - JANUARY 31: A view of the sell out crowd during a match between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan Wolverines on January 31, 2016 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 35-7. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - JANUARY 31: A view of the sell out crowd during a match between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Michigan Wolverines on January 31, 2016 at Recreation Hall on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State won 35-7. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Jason Nolf of the Penn State Nittany Lions during a match against Jake Ryan of the Ohio State Buckeyes  (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

No. 4

February 8, 2019
Columbus, Ohio
No. 1 Penn State 28, No. 2 Ohio State 9

For the second consecutive season, both Penn State Wrestling and Ohio State would lock horns as the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country. And the 2018 regular season dual was without a doubt one of the biggest duals in all of college wrestling that season.

Ohio State tried pulling out all of the stops leading up to the meeting by selling/giving away as many tickets as possible and trying to set up a “Scarlet Out”. Whatever that is…

There was even some quiet confidence coming out of Columbus in thinking they could upend the Nittany Lions and end their streak of 55 straight dual meet victories.

Tom Ryan thought he was being slick by starting the dual at 133 where true freshman No. 15 Roman Bravo-Young (PSU) would have to face off against No. 6 Luke Pletcher (OSU) and then No. 7 Nick Lee (PSU) would face No. 2 Joey McKenna (OSU).

How did that work out for you, Tom?

RBY pulled out the 2-1 decision in TB and Nick Lee won a come from behind decision 7-6 to make the dual 5-0* in favor of Penn State Wrestling.

No. 3 Micah Jordan (OSU) then tried to right the ship with a decision win over Jarod Verkleeren (PSU), but it really didn’t matter.

Because No. 1 Jason Nolf (PSU), No. 1 Vincenzo Joseph (PSU), and No. 1 Mark Hall (PSU) all scored bonus points against their ranked opponents and the Nittany Lions opened up an 18-3 lead.

No. 1 Myles Martin (OSU) earned more points for the Buckeyes but it was way too little and way too late.

In the much anticipated matchup of the evening, No. 1 Bo Nickal (PSU) was going against No. 2 Kollin Moore (OSU). And the 13,276 people in attendance were rewarded by watching the match last one minute and 38 seconds with Moore’s back on the mat and Nickal earning the fall.

Penn State and Ohio State then traded the next two matches to make the final 28-9. Penn State Wrestling extended their dual meet streak to 56 and Ohio State was left beaten and broken.

And they really haven’t been the same since. They had their chances in 2018 and 2019 but when you come at the king, you best not miss.

* – RBY was docked a point due to taking his head gear off

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