Big Ten

Pitt's Cole Matthews Upsets Ohio State's Jesse Mendez

Pitt's Cole Matthews Upsets Ohio State's Jesse Mendez

Pittsburgh's Cole Matthews used a third-period takedown to notch a 4-2 win over Ohio State's third-ranked Jesse Mendez.

Dec 10, 2023 by Kyle Klingman
Pitt's Cole Matthews Upsets Ohio State's Jesse Mendez

The upsets and big wins keep happening this season. This time, it was Pittsburgh's Cole Matthews's 4-2 win over Ohio State's Jesse Mendez.

Mendez entered ranked #3 following the 141-pound title at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last week. Matthews, a senior ranked #14, had three losses on the season before his team's dual with Ohio State in Columbus.

The match was uneventful for the first three minutes before each notched an escape in the second and third periods. Matthews secured a three-point takedown that led to the 4-2 win. 

Matthews placed fifth at the 2022 NCAA Championships, while Mendez finished sixth in 2023. 

Ohio State and Pittsburgh compete in the Collegiate Duals on December 18-19.