#2 Penn State At #12 Rutgers: Match Notes

#2 Penn State At #12 Rutgers: Match Notes

Instant updates of the Penn State vs Rutgers NCAA wrestling dual in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Jan 28, 2018 by Andrew Spey
#2 Penn State At #12 Rutgers: Match Notes

The #2 Nittany Lions travel to their neighbors to the east to take on the #12 Scarlet Knights. Nick Suriano, the #1 ranked 125 pounder in the country, competes against his ex-teammates for the first time, and we're bringing you live updates of everything that happens in his match and all the rest.

Don't forget to check out some of the other rad duals we're streaming LIVE ON FLO, either right now or very soon! Just click and enjoy!

Maryland at Illinois, 2:00 PM ET

Northwestern at Minnesota, 2:00 PM ET

Indiana at Nebraska, 3:00 PM ET

Iowa State at Oklahoma State, 3:00 PM ET


Projected lineups

125: Devin Schnupp, PSU vs #1 Nick Suriano, RU

133: Corey Keener, PSU vs #15 Scott DelVecchio, RU

141: #8 Nick Lee, PSU vs Mike Van Brill, RU

149: #1 Zain Retherford, PSU vs #13 Eleazar DeLuca, RU

157: #1 Jason Nolf, PSU vs #15 John Van Brlll, RU

165: #1 Vincenzo Joseph, PSU vs #11 Richie Lewis, RU

174: #2 Mark Hall, PSU vs Joe Grello, RU

184: #1 Bo Nickal, PSU vs #13 Nick Gravina, RU

197: Anthony Cassar, PSU vs Anthony Messner, RU

285: #6 Nick Nevills, PSU vs Razohnn Gross/Ralph Normandia, RU

Half of the top ranked wrestlers in the country will be competing in one gym. Not bad!

Penn State is the heavy favorite, as many pundits have pegged them to repeat as national champions despite Ohio State clinging just barely to the number one spot in the rankings. Rutgers will be favored at 125 and 133 but will have to steal one at some other weight or else this could turn into a Penn State rout. 

It's a reported sell out at the RAC, Rutger's home arena that seats about 8,000, so we'll see what kind of affect the crowd will have on things.


125: Devin Schnupp, PSU vs #1 Nick Suriano, RU

1st period: Looks like we're starting at 125 and won't be seeing the debut of Carson Kuhn. It'll be Schnupp vs Suriano. Suriano with a takedown in under 10 seconds. Schnupp escapes and it's 2-1, but Suriano goes back in with a double on his former backup and its 4-1. Suriano has a 2 on 1 tilt going but Schnupp wriggles off his back and Suriano can get consecutive swipes. Still 4-1 and they restart in the center. A minute to go in the first. Suriano lets Schnupp up. Schnupp goes in on a shot and Suriano snaps him to the side and spins for 2 more. 6-2 with 30 seconds to go. Suriano goes bar and half but action is stopped when potentially dangerous is called. Still 6-2 as the period ends, Suriano with over 2 minutes of riding time. 

2nd period: Schnupp gets a bloody nose plugged up and jogs back to the center to cover Suriano. The whistle sounds and Suriano stands and escapes to make it 7-2. Another TD makes it 9-2. Suriano tying up those wrists on top. Schnupp is broken down flat but Suriano lets him up. Grabs Schnupp in a front head and gets a go behind. Catch and release time. Suriano rides out the period as some stall calls reign down from the stands. 

3rd period: Schnupp starts on bottom and Suriano lets him up and takes him down to make it 15-5. Another escape and a pancake this time from Suriano almost gets him back points. Schnupp trying to avoid the tech. Another escape and TD makes it 19-7. Suriano working for swipes. Now he's finally got them. It will at least be a techfall now. Suriano readjusts and Schnupp valiantly fights off his back. And there it is, a pin with 20 seconds left on the clock.

Team Scores: Rutgers 6, Penn State 0


133: Corey Keener, PSU vs #15 Scott DelVecchio, RU

1st period: Two vets on the mat. A minute down and no score, nor much handfighting. DelVecchio with a knee pull and that's the first serious threat of the match. DelVecchio converts and makes it 2-0 with a minute left in the period. Keener to his feet by DelVecchio gets a mat return. Repeat that sequence two more time. 17 seconds left in the period Keener still down. DelVecchio rides out the rest of the clock with constant pressure and has over a minute of RT.

2nd period: DelVecchio starts on bottom and he's able to stand and escape in under 10 seconds. Now it's a deep double from Keener and he finishes with authority. DelVecchio escapes quickly though and it's 4-2. Another deep blast double by Keener but DelVecchio backs up and avoids the takedown with the help of the out of bounds circle. The period ends and its still 4-2. 46 seconds of RT for DelVecchio.

3rd period: Keener wants to win this on his feet so we start the final period in neutral. Keener was close to evening up the score in the last period. He's got a minute to finish at least one more takedown. 30 seconds to go and still no change. Keener pulls the trigger and comes close but DelVecchio was ready and and stuffs him. DelVecchio playing defense. DelVecchio scores a 2 countering a desperation shot and seals the decision. Rutgers has a 9 point lead on the Nittany Lions, but now Penn State's line up start getting crazy and doesn't let up for the rest of the match. 

Team Scores: Rutgers 9, Penn State 0


141: #8 Nick Lee, PSU vs Mike Van Brill, RU

1st period: Van Brill has been a bubble guy this season, and Nick Lee is a true frosh, but he just demolished an All-American in Tommy Thorn and will be the heavy favorite. Lee goes high crotch and Van Brill counters with a front head. They wrestle back to their feet and get into collar ties. Very quick stall call to the dismay of the Rutgers bench. Lee drops down on a single and methodically works his way around to collect two. Van Brill fights to his feet and its 2-1 with a minute to go in the 1st. Another snatch single leg and Lee is relentless. Good sprawl and fight from Van Brill but Lee is in terminator mode and finishes for 2 more. He rides out the periods and it's 4-1 going into the 2nd.

2nd period: Van Brill starts on bottom. RT ticks just over a minute before Van Brill escapes. 4-2. Van Brill trying to get anything at all going. Tries a Russian tie, then goes over under. Lee wrestles out of it and once again snatches a single leg. This time Van Brill defends and gets a stalemate. Back on their feet. Lee reaches for the same leg and then switches to the outside leg while holding on to Van Brill's tricep. No scores and we pause to clean up blood from Lee with 5 seconds left in the 2nd period. Van Brill wrestling tough to keep it close but obviously Scott Goodale and the RU staff would like more than just a close loss. 

3rd period: Lee now starts on bottom and has to escape for the first time this match. Van Brill with some solid riding and gets RT almost to to zero. Lee escapes with a minute left in the match with the score in his favor 5-2. Van Brill looking for a home run. Tries an inside trip. Lee steps out. Another attempt from Van Brill and Lee drops down on a leg. A stalemate with under 20 seconds in the match. THe period ends on their feet and Lee wins by regular decision in a good tough match from both competitors. 

Team Scores: Rutgers 9, Penn State 3


149: #1 Zain Retherford, PSU vs #13 Eleazar DeLuca, RU

1st period: Now things get really interesting as the first of Penn State's 5 returning NCAA champs takes the mat. Retherford gets a knee pull but DeLuca pulls the arms up and defends. DeLuca used two over hooks to upset Ke-Shawn Hayes a few matches ago. It would be an earth shattering upset if he could repeat the feat against the Hodge Trophy winner Retherford. Zain Train finally gets rolling by converting a single leg. Catch and release to make it 4-1 with 30 to go in the 1st. Zain going bow and arrow but DeLuca avoids back points. 

2nd period: Retherford begins underneath. He's out in under 10, 5-1. Heavy handfighting and it looks DeLuca got dinged for clubbing too hard. It's 6-1. Retherford shoots in on a double, DeLuca responds with a heavy sprawl and Zain shows off his underrated nimbleness by disappearing behind DeLuca for the slick finish. 8-1. No Zain needs his nose plugged with cotton to stop some bleeding. Zain goes optional start to make it 8-2. I think Retherford has only failed to end a match early once or twice this season. DeLuca again hit for misconduct and its 10-2 as it's a 2 points for the second penalty. Boos coming from the Rutgers fans in attendance. Next time it will be a disqualification says the ref. 

3rd period: We're in neutral, Retherford has 1:01 of riding time.  Now we're getting the score fixed as DeLuca also got hit for unsportsmanlike conduct. So three total penalty points makes it 11-2. DeLuca certainly not backing down from the challenge but there are better ways to go about it. Retherford with a knee pick to make it 13-2. He goes to work on top and would probably like to administer some pain on his way to a tech or pin. DeLuca to his credit bends but does not go over and Retherford wins by 'just' a major decision. 

Team Scores: Rutgers 9, Penn State 7


157: #1 Jason Nolf, PSU vs #15 John Van Brlll, RU

1st period: Cael Sanderson will trot out his second of five national champions as the always entertaining Jason Nolf takes on the scrappy John Van Brill, the second of two Van Brills on the Rutgers roster. Nolf tries for a classic unnamed Nolf move and Van Brill ends up with a single leg. Van Brill shelfs it and gets the takedown by pouncing on Nolf as he tries to roll through. Nolf has given up the first takedown before this season but as always is unfazed. Nolf escapes, then scores after an extended scramble. Escape from Van Brill and another takedown makes it 5-3 in favor of Nolf. Nolf tries for a cradle but can't get swipes. The period ends and the sell out crowd applauds Van Brill's efforts. 

2nd period: Van Brill chooses down and Nolf goes optional. The escape makes it 5-4. Nolf attacks and Van Brill is able to scramble to a stalemate. Or a potentially dangerous. Now Nolf needs some attention as his right knee appears to be in a lot of pain. Nolf is on his feet but is limping. And he's default. Hopefully its nothing serious as the sport is diminished without a healthy Nolf. Rutgers fans stand and applaud Nolf in a show of respect to the visiting team. 

Team Scores: Rutgers 15, Penn State 7


We'll take a halftime break and remind you of all the stupendous duals being streamed right now on FLoWrestling. 

Maryland at Illinois, 2:00 PM ET

Northwestern at Minnesota, 2:00 PM ET

Indiana at Nebraska, 3:00 PM ET

Iowa State at Oklahoma State, 3:00 PM ET


Also apparently Penn State was deducted a team point for unsportmanlike conduct (I have no idea for what, I totally missed it) so the scores have been updated. 

Team Scores: Rutgers 15, Penn State 6


So no update on Nolf's injury but the point was taken away becuase the PSU bench did not think the potentially dangerous was called fast enough and let the ref know in an unsportmanlike manner.

165: #1 Vincenzo Joseph, PSU vs #11 Richie Lewis, RU

1st period: If we can shake off the Nolf injury, this should be a fun one. Cenzo comes out firing and gets the first take down. Richie escapes and Cenzo comes right back at him. Jospeh comfortable going up top and down low, keeping Lewis off balance, although Lewis has gotten a few ineffectual shots off himself. Lewis counters a shot with a nee pick and has Jospeh backing up but can't convert. It's 2-1 as the 1st period and ends and the crowd is getting back into the match. 

2nd period: Cenzo will start on bottom. he stands and is out in a hurry. Riding time not a factor. Lewis snatches a single but Jospeh, so strong, just pulls Lewis' arms up and he's out of danger. It's 3-1 in favor of Joseph as both wrestlers trade attacks. No scores in the rest of the period but both guys are beign aggressive and the crowd once again responds positively to the quality wrestling. 

3rd period: Lewis now with a turn on bottom. Lewis escapes and almost has Jospeh on his back but Joseph is too quick and recovers to his feet. It's 3-2 and RT is not a factor. One minute left in regulation. Lewis fires off a shot, tries to cut the corner but Joseph gets the go behind after a failed roll through. Lewis is up and out before RT goes over a minute so it's 5-3 with 23 seconds to go. Lewis' headgear becomes dislodged and they hit Joseph for a penalty point, making it 5-4. But Coach Sanderson wants to challenge it. It's either a 1 or 2 point match with 20 seconds to go, Jospeh still in the lead. Video review still going on. Head gear pull looked accidental and it didn't affect the match but who knows what the official call will be. I am not well versed in the specific rules on this matter. The call will stand. A takedown and ride out could win it for Lewis. Easier said then done of course, as Jospeh has some of the best hips in college. Lewis can't break through and Jospeh earns the victory in another excellent bout.

Team Scores: Rutgers 15, Penn State 9


174: #2 Mark Hall, PSU vs Joe Grello, RU

1st period: Two good young wrestlers but Mark Hall and his national championship is the heavy favorite. Hall gets a sweep single and finishes for two. He'll go optional start and it's 2-1. Low ankle shot for Hall, he collects the second leg and make its 4-1. Hall gets riding time over a minute and cuts Grello. Another low show, this time bringing Grello's leg up in the air. Hall trips for two more. It's 6-2. Hall dominating on top has Grello flat and will rideout the period. Arena quiet. 

2nd period: Hall beginds on bottom. Hall stands and Grello gets a big mat return, giving the crowd something to cheer about. Grello slips in a leg and pulls Hall far leg over and nearly gets back points. Coach Goodale throws a brick because why not? Hall then scrambles out and reverses Grello before we pause to go to video review. It's 8-2, pending the challenge. The call, or lack thereof stands, and they restart with Grello underneath, trailing by 6. Grello escapes to make it 8-3. Grello in on a shot but junior world champ Mark Hall is too good and scrambles out of it for two. Catch and release and another takedown and it's 12-4 with 12 seconds left in the second. 

3rd period: Grello begins on bottom and is out quickly. RT at 2 minutes for Hall, so effectively 13-5 right now. Grello shoots but Hall with a magical duck under for two. All catch and release and I can't keep up. It's 18-7 as Hall goes optional start. 20-9 they're on their feet and Grello trying to stave off the tech fall. Hall relentless attacks. 23-9 with 6 seconds to go. A rideout will make it a fall of the technical variety. 24-9, 7 minute tech for Mark Hall. Let it not be said that Mark Hall does not give you your money's worth!

Team Scores: Rutgers 15, Penn State 14


184: #1 Bo Nickal, PSU vs #13 Nick Gravina, RU

1st period: Should be another fun one as both of these guys lay it all out on the mat. Nickal, the fifth of five champs, will be the heavy favorite, however. Nickal appears to think Gravina is going a little too heavy with the hands. He ducks under a Gravina shrug and wants to end it early. Gravina avoids going to his back but gives up two. Nickal lets him up and it's 2-1 with a minute left in the first. Gravina likes to work from a 2 on 1 in neutral, Nickal likes to work from pretty much anwwhere. More handfighting and in short time another duck for 2 for Bo. Nickal keeps looking for that cement job/whipover. The period ends 4-1. 

2nd period: Nickal on bottom and escapes quickly. 5-1. Nickal in on a low shot but Gravina very good at cutting the corner. They scramble and end up in a similar position. Now Gravina is far enough behind for two and then it goes to a stalemate. 5-3 now with Nickal on bottom in the restart. A mat return for Gravina but then Nickal hits a slick granby and is out. 6-3. Period ends with no more scores.

3rd period: Gravina on bottom now. Nickal throws in a half form the far side and stretches Gravina out. But Gravina struggles to his feet and earns the escape. 6-4 in favor of Bo. Gravina shoots and Nickal teleports behind him. Somehow Gravina scrambles out of it and its still a two point match with a minute to go, riding time not a factor. Crowd trying to will Gravina into a massive upset. Gravina pressuring. Nickal hit for stalling. Nickal dives at an ankle and Gravina tries to cut the corner. Its stalemated. 17 seconds to go. Gravina shoots and reshoots. Nickal hit again for stalling. It's a one point match. But Gravina can't break through. Nickal is pushed to the limit but prevails. Superb efforts by both. 

Team Scores: Rutgers 15, Penn State 17


197: Anthony Cassar, PSU vs Anthony Messner, RU

1st period: Penn State has their first lead of the night but will be heavy favorites these next two weights and should win the dual comfortably. And it's NJ native Cassar gets the start. Both he and Rasheed are top 10 talents, so a good problem for coach Sanderson. Cassar with a quick takedown. Messner escapes and it's 2-1. Cassar is deadly from neutral with an incredible elbow post double. He's got two takedowns now and is riding Messner out. The period ends 4-1. 

2nd period: Cassar gets riding time nearly to 2 minutes before cutting Messner and it's 4-2. A shot by Messner but it's an easy snap down and go behind for Cassar. Another takedown and rideout makes it 8-3 as the second period ends. All Cassar. 

3rd period: Cassar gets a turn on bottom. A mat return by Messner but Cassar is out on the second stand up attempt. 9-3. Text book double leg and its 11-3, though riding time is locked up. An escape and a swing single to a double makes it 13-4. Less than a minute to go. Cassar thought about a tilt but now cuts Messner with 25 seconds to go. Another beautiful double in the final seconds makes it a major decision. The riding time point is tacked on to make it official. 

Team Scores: Rutgers 15, Penn State 21


285: #6 Nick Nevills, PSU vs Ralph Normandia, RU

1st period: We'll wrap things up with the heavies. Normandia gets the start over Razhohnn Gross who has been struggling lately. Nevills the overwhelming favorite here. Nevills snap down go behind for 2. Normandia gets hit for stalling has Nevills had him broken down for over a minute. Optional start and a low level attack makes it 4-1. An ill-advised scramble from Normandia gives Nevills two back points, but not the pinfall. It's 6-1 as we go into the 2nd. 

2nd period: Normandia will be on bottom. Nevills tries to turn Normandia with an arm bar but can't get it going. He cuts Normandia and gets a quick two. And another let up and takedown. Having trouble keeping up. It's 12-4 when the period ends.

3rd period: Nevills with over 3 minutes of riding time so that locked up and Nevills picks neutral for the final period. Normandia valiantly shoots but its two more for Nevills. It's Nevills working for the techfall now. 14-5 on their feet with a minute to go. Good effort by Normandia to keep it to a major decision. It's 16-6 with 20 seconds to go. With the riding time Nevills makes it a 14 point win, so Normandia gets credit for saving a team point. 

Team Scores: Penn State 25, Rutgers 15


So Rutgers has never beaten Penn State before, and that streak will continue. Rutgers put on an excellent performance though, and did not back down from the reigning NCAA champs at any point. The dual was marred by Nolf's unfortunate injury. No word on that but hoping for the best.

Thanks for hanging out on this corner of the world wide web during the match. Sorry for the typos and see you next time!