Ohio State hosts Virginia Tech in a rivalry that has come to signal the start of the NCAA wrestling season. We've seen incredible individual matchups in this dual over the years, and tonight should be no different. Ohio State is a big favorite in the team score, but Virginia Tech is scrappy from top to bottom. The dual is being streamed on BTN Plus, and an audio broadcast of the dual is being streamed right here on FloWrestling at the link below.

If you've stumbled upon the live blog before the start of the dual and want to dig into preview content for this event, we've got you covered. Jon Kozak wrote a complete preview for the dual, and Mike Mal broke down a potential matchup between former high school teammates Paddy Gallagher and Bryce Andonian. The latter isn't listed in Virginia Tech's probable lineup, but the breakdown is valuable in case we get that matchup down the line.

149 - #19 Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech dec #2 Sammy Sasso, Ohio State 5-3 in sudden victory

We're starting things off at 149 lbs, and VT blue chipper Caleb Henson will have a big test on his hands. Unfortunately, BTN Plus is showing swimming instead of wrestling, but I'm following along via our audio broadcast. Starting this dual at 149 lbs means we'll wrap up with tOSU super freshmen Jesse Mendez and possibly Nic Bouzakis.

First Period: Caleb Henson takes an early single, but this is right into Sasso's wheelhouse. The scramble ends up with a stalemate which you would consider to be a win for Henson. He takes another shot, but they go out of bounds with 1:47 left in the first. The video is working now. Sasso attacks, but they go out of bounds. Sasso finishes a go-behind in the first and finishes on top. 2-0 after 1.

Second Period: Sasso on bottom in the first. He's up quickly and fights for the escape. Henson shoots, but Sasso shin-whizzers the situation. Henson gets in again, but getting past the defense of Sasso continues to be too tricky. 3-0 at the end of the 2nd.

Third Period: Henson goes underneath in the third. Henson gets to his feat, but Sasso returns and gets a claw ride locked in. Henson peels hands and gets away to make it 3-1. Henson gets in deep again on an attack, but it ends in a stalemate again. Henson shoots again, and Sasso is hit with stalling. Henson attacks again, and this time he finishes! He needs to ride for 27 seconds. Now they're out of bounds. Reset with 17 seconds left. Another restart with 5 seconds left. This smells like OT.

Sudden Victory: Henson attacks again. No surprise there. Sasso looks to sit the corner with a minute left. Henson elevates, finishes, and pulls off a massive upset! VT takes a 3-0 lead in this dual!

𝐖𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐔𝐏 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒 😈🦃

Winning takedown in SV for No. 29 Caleb Henson over No. 2 in the country.
The freshman is here. Cold-blooded. #Team100 #Hokies #ALLINALLTHETIME 🦃 pic.twitter.com/9pZa5ibhAU

— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) November 12, 2022

Virginia Tech: 3

Ohio State: 0

157 - #23 Paddy Gallagher, Ohio State dec Clayton Ulrey, Virginia Tech 14-8

After a massive upset, Father Panda is encouraging the Covelli Center to get behind Paddy Gallagher who comes out to a nice Irish tune.

First Period: Ulrey looks for an attack, and Gallagher threatens with a short drag. They're back to squared up about a minute into the period. No score. Gallagher looks for a single on the edge, but they go out of bounds. Gallagher gets another crack at the drag off the whistle star, but Ulrey finds his own quick shot and finish! After a quick escape, it's 2-1 for Ulrey! Now Ulrey is back to another attack! He's up 4-1 as they go out of bounds with 20 seconds left. This is opposite day! Gallagher explodes to a reversal from a sit-out on the restart, and it's 4-3 at the end of the first. 4-3 at the end of the first.

Second Period: Gallaher starts on bottom and gets out immediately. It's 4-4. Ulrey is back on a leg with 1:30 to go. Ulrey persists to the finish with 1:13 left. He's up 6-4. Gallagher is out quickly again to make it 6-5 with 50 seconds left. Gallagher snaps Ulrey HARD. On his way to the go-behind he snags a cradle and puts Ulrey on his back! Ulrey gets off his back out of bounds, but Gallagher leads 11-6 at the end of the second! Insanity!

Third Period: Ulrey starts on bottom. Ulrey to his feet, but Gallagher returns him. His riding time is up to 40 seconds. Riding time now over a minute, and Gallagher cuts him to look for a major! Quick go behind for Gallagher. He needs one more takedown with 30 seconds to go. Ulrey takes shot, Gallagher ls looking to scramble to a major, but it's stalemated with 6 seconds left. Gallagher finishes on a leg but can't secure the takedown. He wins 14-8. They're reviewing the end of the match takedown situation to see if Gallagher in fact did finish his shot. No td call confirmed, so the score stands.

Virginia Tech: 3

Ohio State: 3

165 - #6 Carson Kharchla, Ohio State dec #21 Connor Brady, Virginia Tech 3-1

Two high school teammates toe the line in this ranked matchup.

First Period: These two look familiar through the first 30 seconds. No score. Kharchla looks to be more interested in finding spots than Brady. He shoots, but Brady ends up in short offense. Now they're back to their feet with 90 seconds to go. Kharchla takes another measured attack but pulls his hand off Brady's knee but Brady pulls him into short offense again. Kharchla gets to a slick single and finishes on the edge with about 20 seconds to go. Rideout makes it 2-0 at the end of the first for Kharchla.

Second Period: Brady starts on bottom. RT at 22 seconds for Kharchla. Brady gets out in 5 seconds to make it 2-1. Time ticks under a minute. Kharchla shoots, and Brady is hit for stalling. Kharchla puts a coulpe shots together, but Brady stifles him with 10 seconds left. time runs out, and it's 2-1 at the end of the period.

Third Period: Kharchla chooses bottom. Brady starts early, but it looked like the ref ate that one instead of giving a caution. Kharcha gets to his feet, but Brady bumps him back down. Second effort pays off for Kharcha, and it's 3-1 with 1:27 to go. Brady is still just a takedown away from tying this up. Brady gets to a leg, but Kharchla stops him in his tracks. They clear the position and now have just 20 seconds to go. Kharchla gets the win 3-1.

Virginia Tech: 3

Ohio State: 6

174 - #2 Mekhi Lewis, Virginia Tech dec #6 Ethan Smith, Ohio State 3-2

This is the highest-ranked matchup of the night and absolutely essential for Virginia Tech. Mekhi Lewis won this match a year ago.

First Period: Smith takes the first attack of the match, but Mekhi shows why he's so hard to score on. Smith has to let go due to the powerful hips of Lewis. With a minute to go, it's still scoreless. Lewis goes double to single and works hard for the finish. Smith granbys to an escape. It's 2-1 after some incredible action!

Second Period: Smith chooses bottom, and after his quick escape in the first, that seems like the money move. He's out again, and Lewis has just 12 seconds of riding time. It's 2-2. Smith looks for a shot, but Lewis pulls the situation into a front headlock to stalemate the position with 1:15 to go. Smith takes a half-shot, and Lewis re-attacks to the left side of Smith, but the bent knee stalemates the position. Time runs out in the period, and it's 2-2.

Third Period: Lewis takes bottom. He's out in 9 seconds and maintains a 3 second riding time advantage to go with his 3-2 lead. Mekhi takes a solid attack but cant finish. Now we have 30 seconds left. Smith has kept himself in this one. A Smith shot leads to a stall call against Lewis with 10 seconds left. Smith takes one last shot, but Mekhi throws him by. Lewis gets the 3-2 win.

Virginia Tech: 6

Ohio State: 6

184 - #4 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State dec #10 Hunter Bolen, Virginia Tech 4-2

The Hokies will hope to see the 2021 version of Hunter Bolen instead of the 2022 version. It may take All-American form to beat Romero and give the Hokies the lead. Romero is definitely the favorite.

First Period: These guys are hand fighting hard, and Romero gets a go-behind on the edge to take the early 2-0 lead. Bolen gets an escape on the restart to make it 2-1. Riding time is just 7 seconds for Romero. The quick finish of Romero seems to have made Bolen cautious. Not much action in the left of the period. It remains 2-1.

Second Period: Bolen takes second. Bolen gets to his feet near the edge, but after a long scramble, Romero remains on top as they go out of bounds. Riding time is up to 25 seconds. Now Bolen gets up off the restart and escapes. Riding time is at 30 seconds. It's 2-2 A Romero shot leads to a stall call against Bolen. The go out of bounds with a minute to go. Not much action in the second minute of the period. 2-2 lead at the end of the second.

Third Period: Romero on bottom. He's out in 8 seconds to take a 3-2 lead. Bolen gets hit for stalling again, so it's now 4-2 for Romero. Bolen's efforts to score don't pay off. It's a 4-2 win for Romero.

Virginia Tech: 6

Ohio State: 9

197 - #9 Gavin Hoffman, Ohio State dec HM Andy Smith, Virginia Tech 4-1

First Period: We're underway after the break. Hoffman gets to a deep shot. He's working to finish and gets the 2 points, but Andy Smith is hurt. The trainers are taking a look. It's 2-0, but that's the least of Virginia Tech's concerns. Smith is good to go, but Hoffman gets his choice, so he's on bottom. Smith looks for a suckback off the whistle, but Hoffman gets away to make it 3-0. Hoffman looks for another leg-attack, but Smith uses a downblock to fend it off. Hoffman takes another shot, but the action goes out of bounds. Andy Smith takes the action to the edge, and Hoffman drops to a leg on the edge. They go out of bounds with 28 seconds to go. No score at the end of the period. It's 3-0.

Second Period: Smith goes underneath in the second. He's out in 8 seconds and attacks right away. It's 3-1 Both guys exchange reattacks, and Smith gets to a leg and elevates it! The action goes out of bounds. No score. Handfighting continues. Smith takes a shot out of bounds with 45 seconds to go. More half shots ensue as the period ends. It's 3-1 for Hoffman.

Third Period: Hoffman starts on bottom and escapes right away to make it 4-1. Hoffman looks for a shot on the edge. They scramble near the line, and Smith fends off the attack. Near the edge, Hoffman drops to the leg again. They go out of bounds with short time left. Hoffman holds on 4-1.

Virginia Tech: 6

Ohio State: 12

285 - #8 Tate Orndorff, Ohio State dec #16 Hunter Catka, Virginia Tech 3-1

Orndorff is the favorite here, but VT has kept themselves in these matches all night. This would be a big spot for an upset. Father Panda (tOSU''s PA man) is firing up the crowd in an effort to avoid that outcome.

First Period: Orndorff is getting to his underhook, and that's where he likes to be. Catka gets deep on a single leg, but Orndorff pulls him into a front head position. This isn't where Catka wants to be. They stalemate the position and get a fresh start. Orndorff gets to his body lock. He can create a lot of stress for Catka here. Catka finally clears the position, and the period ends without any points on the board.

Second Period: Catka starts the second on bottom and gets away to make it a 1-0 Hokie lead. Catka takes a big shot with a minute to go, but Orndorff stuffs it. We're headed to the third 1-0 for Catka.

Third Period: Orndorff takes bottom. He's out right away to make it 1-1. Neither guy has been close to a takedown so far. Less than a minute to go now. Orndorff gets back to his body lock. He takes Catka to his back, but Catka rolls through! Orndorff follows the position and scores at the buzzer! He wins 3-1!

Now VT is challenging. They're reviewing this for a long time, but there's no change.

Virginia Tech: 6

Ohio State: 15

125 - #12 Malik Heinselman, Ohio State dec HM Eddie Ventresca 3-2

First Period: Heinselman snaps Ventresca down early and looks for an angle. He can't quite get to it. Ventresca gets to a single, but Heinselman looks to chest wrap. Ventresca continues to scramble, but it's finally stalemated with 1:47 to go. They're playing it safe now. No committed attacks through the rest of the period, so we'll head to the second knotted at 0.

Second Period: Heinselman starts on bottom. He's almost out a couple of times, but Ventresca follows hard. Riding time is at 26 seconds. Heinselman gets out on the restart to make it 1-0. Heinselman takes a crisp double-leg attack with a clean finish. He leads 3-0, but Ventresca escapes to make it 3-1. That's how the period concludes.

Third Period: Ventresca takes bottom. Ventresca works up, but Heinselman returns him hard and continues to ride tough over 40 seconds into the period. Now Ventresca escapes to make it 3-2. Ventresca takes an early shot on a restart to get a caution with 30 seconds left. Heinselman warned for stalling with 22 seconds to go, but Heinselman holds on to win 3-2.

Virginia Tech: 6

Ohio State: 18

133 - HM Sam Latona, Virginia Tech dec #5 Jesse Mendez, Ohio State 3-2 

Regardless of the team score, this is an important matchup. Mendez started his season with a bang at the MSU Open last weekend. Can he beat another All-American here?

First Period: Mendez uses fakes to get mat position. He drops to a single, but Latona hits a re-attack on the edge. They go out of bounds but can't score. Latona looks for a single, but Mendez down-blocks and comes up with an underhook. Latona shoots, Mendez reattacks, but no score.

Second Period: Mendez starts on bottom. He gets out right away to make it 1-0. Mendez hits another reattack, but the position is stalemated. Latona darts in on a single and sits Mendez to a hip. Latona's in good position, and he collects the second leg or a takedown! It's 2-1. Mendez gets out immediately to make it 2-2. That's how the period will end.

Third Period: Latona goes underneath. Latona gets out in 18 seconds, so he leads 3-2. Latona drops in on a single with about a minute left. Mendez clears. He gets in deep on the edge, but they go out of bounds with 40 seconds to go. Mendez is wrestling a hard pace and earns a stall call. He gets to a leg with 15 seconds to go on the edge. They're out with 7 seconds left. Latona holds on for a 3-2 upset.

Virginia Tech: 9

Ohio State: 18

141 - #16 Tom Crook, Virginia Tech major dec Nic Bouzakis, Ohio State 14-6

First Period: Bouzakis looks for an early shot, but Crook stifles him with wrist control. Bouzakis persists and ends up on top to make it 2-0. They get a restart on a potentially dangerous shoulder situation. Crook gets out quickly to make it 2-1. Bouzakis takes action to the edge. They go out of bounds, so Crook is hit with stalling. Crook looks for a shot, Bouzakis looks to reattack, and they clear the postition. Crook attacks and finishes, but Bouzakis won't stop, and he gets a reversal. It's 4-3 Bouzakis. Crook gets out to knot it 4-4. Bouzakis takes a shot with 20 seconds left. He lifts big but loses control on the way down, and Crook ends up on top to make it 6-4 Crook at the end of the period.

Second Period: Bouzakis takes bottom. He gets out 35 seconds into the period to make it 6-5. Bouzakis continues to work from underhooks. Crook drops to a single and finishes to extend his lead to 8-5. If he rides out the last 30 seconds he'll have over a minute of riding time. He does ride out and gets a stall call against Bouzakis as the period ends.

Third Period: Crook starts on bottom up 8-5. He needs to ride for 10 seconds. He rides for 11 seconds. Crook leads 9-5 on the escape, but he hits a low level attack and finishes to go up 11-5 with a little over a minute to go. Riding time is at 1:47 with 52 seconds to go. Crook cuts Bouzakis to look for the major. Bouzakis takes a shot, but Crook neutralizes it. Crook drops in on a double and rides Bouzakis out for the 14-6 win.

Virginia Tech: 13

Ohio State: 18