PSU flexed their muscles today to the tune of a 30-15 win over Illinois.  The story of the dual was Freshman Jason Nolf's pin over previously undefeated NCAA Champion Isaiah Martinez.  For the full details of how the dual played out read blow! 

141 - Jimmy Gulibon, PSU v. Mousa Jodeh, Illinois

1st Period: Gulibon gets to a front headlock right away.  Jodeh filling in for Ervin who's injured. Gulibon nearly had the leg then nearly gave up the go behind but he was able to kick away.  Gulibon clears the tie then quickly gets to a high crotch, switches to a double then finishes.  Gulibon looking to control wrists.  15 to go.  Rideout for Gulibon.  2-0 after 1. 

2nd Period: Gulibon defers and Jodeh takes bottom. A caution from each guy to start the 2nd.  Gulibon stops his first move and traps the ankle. Gulibon continues to look for a tilt on Jodehs left side but cannot get it. The PSU coaches instruct Jimmy to let him up and he does just that.  Jimmy attacks but Jodeh pulls him up with an overhook.  40 to go. Time runs out.

3rd Period: 1:55 of RT for Jimmy as he takes bottom.  Another caution against Jodeh. Quick escape for Jimmy and he immediately gets a go behind to make it 5-1.  Now Jimmy has the wrist again.  50 to go. Jimmy rides out for a 6-1 win.

WATCH MATCH HERE:

PSU: 3
Illinois: 0

149 - #1 Zain Retherford, PSU v. Kyle Langenderfer, Illinois

1st Period: As we'd expect Zain is taking ground as soon as the whistle blows.  He nearly had the drag go-behind on the edge but Langenderfer squared up.  Scoreless after 1 minute.  Double right off the whistle.  He doesn't get in very deep but he guts out the finish and now he's getting a count with legs in.  6-0 Zain.  Close to the fall!  There it is!  Pin for Zain!

WATCH MATCH HERE:

PSU: 9
Illinois: 0

157 - #3 Jason Nolf v. #1 Isaiah Martinez, Illinois

1st Period: Underway!.  IMAR getting to underhooks.  Nolf keeping his hips back. Nolf looking to snap, IMAR was ready.  IMAR back to his left side underhook.  Double unders now for IMAR.  He throws him by but Nolf comes out on top!  He's got a leg in!  2!  2-0 Nolf! IMAR broken down flat.  1 minute to go.  IMAR escapes after 42 seconds of RT.  He's away and gets in on a beautiful Hi C and finishes!  3-2 IMAR!  19 to go. A caution from each guy. Now underway.  Nolf up to his feet.  Lift and return from IMAr.  Nolf up again and escapes on the edge!  VERY close call! Mark Perry would like a word. They're challenging the call.  Very close as I said.  I didn't think it was 1 initially but could see it called that way.  May have been a premature whistle?  Escape call held!  3-3 after 1!

2nd Period: Crazy return from IMAR and he nearly put him on his back.  Warning against IMAR for not returning and it's 4-3 Nolf.  Now they call IMAR for stalling on the edge!  5-3 Nolf!  Both guys extremely active.  Nolf nearly gets a go-behind but IMAR recovers.  25 to go. Shot by Nolf, 2 for Nolf as IMAR looks to pass the leg.   Nolf puts him on his back and there's the FALL!! NOLF WINS BY PIN!!! IMAR's FIRST loss! 

WATCH MATCH HERE: 
Jason Nolf Interview:

PSU: 15
Illinois: 0

165 - #11 Shakur Rasheed v. #4 Steven Rodrigues, Illinois

1st Period: Rasheed in on a single.  Whizzer from Rodrigues and there's 2!  Lots of momentum for PSU.  Crossface cradle for Rasheed and there's 4 nearfall.  He was nearly pinned.  Rodrigues escapes and gets a takedown of his own.  6-3 now.  Warning against Rodrigues for stalling and not returning.  7-3 after the escape.  Period ends.

2nd Period: Rodrigues takes bottom and escapes after 50 seconds.  Riding time at 46  for Rasheed.  Rodrigues in on another shot. It gets stalemated and now theres' only 10 to go but a BIG double from Rodrigues makes it 7-6 Rasheed after 2!

3rd Period: Rasheed takes bottom. Rodrigues gives the escape up to make it 8-6.  Rodrigues immediately in on another shot.  Rasheed locked around the crotch.  2 more for Rodrigues!  Great comeback.  It's 8-8 and RT isn't a factor.  9-8 after the Rasheed escape and Rodrigues immediately takes him down again!  10-9 now! 35 to go.  Rideout for Rodrigues and he takes it 10-9!

WATCH MATCH HERE:

PSU: 15
Illinois: 3

174 - #1 Bo Nickal, PSU v. #3 Zach Brunson, Illinois

1st Period: Pretty salty mean-mug from Brunson directed at Nickal!  Brunson immediately in on a shot but Nickal has weird hips and evades! Still early in the 1st. 
Quick leg attack and finish by Brunson for 2!  Nickal escapes immediately to make it 2-1 with 40 to go. 

2nd Period: Nickal chooses bottom.  He's away immediately and now it's 2-2. Front headlock for Brunson and Nickal drags out of it.  1:24 to go.  Shot by Brunson and a re-attack by Nickal.  Now we're ankle to ankle.  Great scramble and Nickal scores!  4-2 Nickal and Brunson's head is on the mat.  30 to go.  Brunson able to escape.  Riding time at 25 for Nickal as the period ends.  4-3 Nickal.

3rd Period: Brunson takes bottom.  Nickal going to work for a riding time point.  Brunson up to his feet but Nickal has a TIGHT pinch headlock he hangs onto until riding time gets over 1 minute!  Escape Brunson with 50 to go.  RT over 1 minute for NIckal.  Crazy scramble for Brunson who gets in deep and Nickal counters for 2!  He puts Brunson on his back for the pin!  Holy smokes!

WATCH MATCH HERE:

PSU: 21
Illinois: 3

It's halftime.  My goodness get a beverage.

184 - #6 Matt McCutcheon, PSU v. #18 Jeff Koepke, Illinois

1st Period: We're back!  Immediately into the ties are these two. Throwby TD from McCutcheon and he's got a reinforced Bar titl.  No turn yet. Good job by Koepke getting out on the edge to make it 2-1.  McCutcheon gets in on a low ankle shot.  Koepke sits around and is close to the counter td but needs to free his leg.  Time runs out.  2-1 after 1.

2nd Period: Koepke chooses bottom. RT at 57 for McCutcheon. 1:02 of rt for MM after the Koepke escape. Koepke gets in on the leg a and finishes but McCutcheon is in a lot of pain and they stop for injury time.  McCutcheon has been battling injuries much of the year.  Kind of an ugly finish against the knee. Matt injury defaults.

WATCH MATCH HERE:

PSU: 25
Illinois: 9

197 - #1 Morgan McIntosh, PSU v. Andre Lee, Illinois

1st Period: We're rolling here at 197.  Both guys exchanging head taps.  Inside reach single from McIntosh and he's in deep and has Lee bouncing on his feet.  Now back on the mat with it.  He catches the far ankle for 2.  2-0 lead for McIntosh.  Tilt attempt from McIntosh. No turn yet. Unreal mat return from McIntosh.  What a powerhouse.  He's got the wrist on Lee's back.  Not going to get the turn though.

2nd Period: McIntosh takes bottom and escapes.  It's 3-0 with 1:23 of riding time in his favor. Quick td and escape for McIntosh and it's 5-1.  Another single by McIntosh and there's the finish.   Easy escape and it's 7-2. McIntosh getting in so clean there's no way to defend and there's 2 more.  9-2 after 2.

3rd Period: Lee takes bottom. He escapes to make it 9-3.  1:46 of RT for McIntosh.  McIntosh in deep on that high crotch, no fight on this finish either and it's now 11-3.  RT now locked.  Bow and arrow for McIntosh and he gets 2 more.  13-3 with 22 to go.  14-3 the final.

WATCH MATCH HERE:

PSU: 25
Illinois: 9

285 - Jan Johnson, PSU v. Brooks Black, Illinois

1st Period: Black looks foot sweep early but can't get it.  2 on 1 for Black.  He fires off a low ankle shot and is pulling Johnson in bounds.  He goes back trip and there's the finish.  2-0 Black. Johnson gets out of bounds on the restart.  1:45 to go.  Black not returning quickly but there's the return but they're nearly out of bounds again.  Johnson escapes eventually.  2-1 with 40 to go.  1:12 RT for Black. Period ends.  

2nd Period: Black chooses bottom. He escapes to make it 3-1. 1:40 to go in the 2nd.  1:01 of rt for Black. Johnson is warned for stalling for going out of bounds. Johnson starting to break position a bit.  Black taking ground. Period ends.

3rd Period: Johnson takes bottom. Black breaks him down on the edge again.  Johnson is hustling from underneath but Black is bringing very solid top pressure.  Johnson escapes but Black scores as the match ends to make it a 6-2 final with RT.

WATCH MATCH HERE:

PSU: 25
Illinois: 12

125 - #3 Nico Megaludis, Penn State v. Francis Edelen, Illinois

1st Period: Edelen gets to a tight overhook right away but Nico clears.  He's in on a front headlock and there's a stalemate. Scoreless after the 1st minute.  Megaludis gets to a single and is looking backdoor finish.  He gets the 2.  He goes to a bar-half  and is working to turn.  Edelen bellied out.  35 to go.  He escapes with 12 left.  Riding time at 1:01 for Nico. Period ends.  

2nd Period: Nico takes bottom.  Lift and return from Edelen.  Double legs in for Edelen.  Megaludis coming out the back door for the reversal.  He immediately gives up the escape but scores just as fast and it's 6-3 after a td/escape and there's another td for Nico! Another escape makes it 8-4.  In deep on another single and it's 10-4. 12-4 after the tilt.  

3rd Period: Edelen takes bottom and Nico lets him up.  12-5.  Nico scores on a single immediately. Weird bar situation and Edelen is in some major pain from an elbow injury.  Edelen continues and it's 16-5 after a Nico TD or reversal not sure which it's all happening very fast.  16-6 now 18-6.  18-7 after an escape.  TD escape, td escape, td escape and there's the tech.

WATCH MATCH HERE:

PSU: 30
Illinois: 12

133 - #5 Jordan Conaway v. #2 Zane Richards, Illinois

1st Period: Wowza quick shot and finish by Richards!  2-1 after the Richards escape.  Conaway's best period is almost always his 3rd. Zane doing a great job getting to his ties. Another single by Richards and there's a whizzer by Conaway and he is able to clear.  55 to go. Filthy elbow control high crotch at the end of the 1st.  4-1 after 1 for Zane Richards!

2nd Period:  Richards takes bottom. Richards up to his feet right away and escapes.  5-1 now the lead for Richards.  RT not a factor.  High crotch by Conaway but Richards sits to the corner.  Very tough position to score from now Richards looking butt-drag and he gets the 2.  7-1 now and Richards is looking incredible.  He rides out as well.  7-1 after 2.

3rd Period: Conaway takes bottom. Escape Conaway to make it 7-2. RT at 1:07 for Richards. Richards showing no times of slowing at all.  He's looking for his high crotch again but Conaway clears.  Conaway pursuing and there's a stall warning against Richards for backing out. Re-attack by Conaway but he's all the way under Richards hips.  15 to go.  Another shot by Richards and there's time!.  8-2 win for Zane Richards with riding time!

WATCH MATCH HERE:

Final Score:
PSU: 30
Illinois: 15