Posted on 12/22/2013 11:32:31 AM PST by FlJoePa
IOWA CITY | Top-ranked Penn State delivered a powerful message Saturday night.
The three-time defending NCAA champions dominated the third-ranked Hawkeyes 24-12 in a nonconference dual which saw Iowa win just three matches.
With a third-period pin at 133 pounds, Tony Ramos energized the Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd of 13,747 which included celebrities Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who enjoyed second-row center mat seats next to wrestling legend Dan Gable.
Ramos’ win provided Iowa with the only bonus points the Hawkeyes mustered against the Nittany Lions.
“We needed every point we could get and as a captain and leader of this team, getting pins and bonus points is something I expect of myself,’’ Ramos said.
With the strength of its lineup in the upper weights, Penn State positioned itself for its first win in Iowa City since 2006 with decisions decided in the final period at 141 and 149 pounds,
Second-rated true freshman Zain Retherford, fresh off a win over two-time defending NCAA champ Logan Stieber of Ohio State, used a takedown with 1 minute, 26 seconds remaining to edge Josh Dziewa 4-2 at 141.
In the next match, Iowa’s Michael Kelly and unranked freshman Zack Beitz found themselves in a scramble in the final minute. Beitz caught Kelly out of position for a takedown and three-point nearfall which gave Penn State (7-0) a 9-6 edge.
The Nittany Lions’ moved ahead 13-9 following a major decision by top-ranked David Taylor over fourth-rated Nick Moore at 165 and collected bonus points on majors by Ed Ruth at 184 and Morgan McIntosh at 197.
Ruth, the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class, dominated second-rated Ethen Lofthouse by a 12-4 score.
Ramos provided Iowa (6-1) with an early spark, catching the Nittany Lions’ Jimmy Gulibon for a pin at the 5:22 mark of his match at 133.
“All match long, I could hear their coaches saying, ‘Watch the cradle, watch the cradle,’ but as a match wears on, guys get tired, worn out and then it was there for the taking,’’ Ramos said. “My objective never changes. I’m out there trying to put all the points on the board I can.’’
Ramos’ seventh pin of a 9-1 season came after Iowa made a lineup change at 125, sending unranked redshirt freshman Thomas Gilman onto the mat against Penn State’s third-rated Nico Megaludis instead of the Hawkeyes’ fourth-rated Cory Clark.
A second-period takedown led Megaludis to a 4-1 decision and an early lead for the Nittany Lions.
Ramos said he had no idea that Gilman would get the start until he saw him take the mat.
“They’re both tough guys, strong wrestlers,’’ Ramos said. “I’m sure (Iowa coach)Tom (Brands) and (assistant) Terry (Brands) have their reasons for going with the guy they did. Both are capable.’’
Iowa’s other wins came at 157, where top-ranked Derek St. John won a 10-4 decision, and on a late reversal by heavyweight Bobby Telford in a 3-2 decision.
My OSU Cowboys lost their Bedlam match with OU by a point a few weeks ago so I don’t think they’ll get in the way of your prediction.
I eagerly await reading the exploits of the badminton, ping pong, and Ultimate Frisbee teams.
I’ll get right on that. If you don’t like it, don’t read it, and don’t comment on it.
Astounding demonstration of sheer wrestling power by PSU - the Hawkeyes are no slouchers, and put a hurt on most other teams in the nation.
Wow.
Whoa...relax..switch to decaf...my comment was tongue in cheek..meant to be funny..tis the holiday season..ya know??
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