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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Roe Fox added to this discussion on February 14, 2026
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To me, Welsh seemed like the same guy he was at TOSU. I saw no significant improvement. Rock solid defense but otherwise limited offensively. Dylan had that match. I have followed him since high school. He has improved every year. I will not be surprised when he wrestles Friday night in Cleveland.
Yes, Im calling my shot.
As to whether it was an overall disappointment, sure it was from a result standpoint. But this was PSU at BJ arena and we had a few guys out. Many key matches we were right there. I tend to give some credit to the opponent when they are top ranked wrestlers who are wrestling at home.
The Buckeyes are an exceptional team at full strength. Let’s not be Iowa fans who complain like they have a team from the 80s when in reality they may finish out of the top 5 at Nationals.
I can’t wait for Big10s and NCAAs.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Casey Talbott added to this discussion on February 14, 2026
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I’m with you, Mark (and Roe)-
Not the outcome we wanted, clearly.
As a team or individually.
But if we were being honest, we weren’t going to win that dual last night, just wasn’t going to happen.
But we competed.
Without three starters, we went into a hostile environment (BJ Arena) and nearly walked out with five (5) wins.
And while overmatched, I thought Paddy and Geog wrestled tough, as well.
Disappointing outcome?
Sure.
We got knocked down.
But as you said, time to get up, dust off, get healthy, and get back at it!
Go Bucks!
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Jim Kessen added to this discussion on February 14, 2026
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Quote from Jack Muni's post:
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"What frustrated me was Davino had the leg in the air and let Blaze get to the edge of the mat. Fishback was doing everything right up to the last 30 seconds. It will be interesting to see the Big Ten seeds after these losses at 125, 133, 185 and 285. The bottom line at this level seems to be finishing shots, in these tournament matches a lot are decided by one TD."
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125 seeds
LL # 1
Nic # 2
133
Byrd 1
Blaze 2
Davino 3
Could argue for Blaze at 1
184
Welsh 1
McNeally 2
Alred 3
Ferrari 4
Michigan 5
Fishback 6
285 will be interesting because Feldman lost to Michigan and PSU
PSU lost to Michigan and Nebraska
Nebraska lost to Feldman and majored Michigan
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Scott Clemmons added to this discussion on February 14, 2026
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My .02 and maybe that's all it's worth:
-PSU is like a football team where the 1st team is made up of mostly Jeremiah Smith's and Caleb Downs'. OSU's guys didn't lose to a bunch of 10-20 ranked guys. No one had us being close in this match especially after Carson, Stiles and Cannon out. I get more concerned when we lose to the Alred's, Mantanona's, etc.
-PSU has something... coaching, mental, skill, technique... something where 90% of the time if tied or close at the end, they close. They just do. I have a guy on my team (ref in PA) and we talk this stuff. I told him before that the close matches will almost all go PSUs way.
Even Mendez with Bartlett last season. Bartlett does next to nothing in the final and Jesse had to hang on for his life to win in ride outs.
-I do like that the guys get another shot or two in the B1Gs or NCAAs. I guess now football is like this. You can lose in the regular season, but you still have a shot at the big prize.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Nick Lecklider added to this discussion on February 14, 2026
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For a 30 point blowout loss I’m actually not too disappointed. Penn state will not place 9 above us at big tens. I think all the starters gave a good effort.
125 Bouzakis will be much better in the finals then a one hour weigh in. Penn state gameplan was to tire him down and then score on him when exhausted. Worked. Look for a much better version of bouzakis next time, not a one hour weigh in. Bouzakis also better if it goes to ride outs. .
133. Davino still hasn’t been taken down in 50 or so college matches. Davino was the one who was close to scoring on blaze. Davino needs to secure the riding time and then kick him out. Blaze is going to have problems taking him down.
141 I’m going to miss Jesse next year
165 paddy wrestled tough against the p4p best
184 fishback loss was inexcusable but no one thought he would ever be in that position to win
197 geog got majored but still wrestled tough
285 Feldman just looks beat up and needs a break. He has had a brutal schedule and has these types of matches every week. Get him fresh fo big tens and he will avenge these types of losses
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Jack Muni added to this discussion on February 14, 2026
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The starters have some good video for the staff to look at. Bouzakis almost got the scramble TD but Lillidahl grabbed his ankle and prevented him from turning into him for the TD. Davino was the only one to actually get close to a TD but Blaze headed out of bounds, again something the staff will look to fix. Paddy wrestled tough and actually got in on a single a few times but got stuffed with a chest wrap counter which again, hopefully they can fix that finish. Fishback took Rocco down, rode him long enough to get a riding point and was never held down very long himself. He knows he can get to Rocco's leg which most other guys have failed to do, so there were some good moments in the dual. When you get into these tight matches, match management is so important.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Justin Hayes added to this discussion on February 14, 2026
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I wish Davino hadn't thrown in the legs at the threshold moment and I got the impression midway through the match that Fishback doesn't (yet?) have top tier cardio by the way he subtly took the long and winding way back to center.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Ben Golden added to this discussion on February 14, 2026
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Yeah for Davino there are two things:
1) he continued to ride into bad posting because the alternative was yielding an escape and RT advantage to Blaze. I think if he hadn’t kept riding in risky position, Blaze would have escaped with RT advantage. So I don’t fault him for trying to force it.
2) throwing leg was probably one of the riskier ways to hang on, but Blaze was moving fast, so he had to do something. What would have been the better tactic there?
Fishback’s loss was so painful. My first thought was also that he gassed, but really it didn’t totally look like his tank was below E. It more looked like he stopped competing. Just thought he could coast it out easy? I don’t know, it was strange. It’s been noted that he has had a lot of trouble finishing matches against the best opponents. Maybe he’s able to correct whatever mental issue that is before the postseason—or maybe before next year. If he does… it seems he’s truly capable of beating anyone and everyone in the weight.
I don’t want to beat on the Bucks too bad. They had 4 razor thin losses to excellent opponents. The team score doesn’t reflect that—-that’s the nature of the scoring system. I hope they learn and head into the post season with focus and confidence. Plenty reason for confidence. Great season, and any of those 4 guys could flip his loss next time around.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
J.P. Barner added to this discussion on February 15, 2026
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PSU are coached (it seems) to wrestle close matches without over-committing to any one position, then countering the other wrestler at the end, without time left for any comeback. They have done this for years.
Very frustrating to watch especially when one of them - Blaze in this instance - doesn't even get a stall warning when blatantly hopping off the mat. Had Davino done that, the entire crowd would have been screaming and the ref would have cowered and given the warning.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on February 15, 2026
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Quote from J.P. Barner's post:
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"PSU are coached (it seems) to wrestle close matches without over-committing to any one position, then countering the other wrestler at the end, without time left for any comeback. They have done this for years.
Very frustrating to watch especially when one of them - Blaze in this instance - doesn't even get a stall warning when blatantly hopping off the mat. Had Davino done that, the entire crowd would have been screaming and the ref would have cowered and given the warning."
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Blaze was CLEARLY stalling. Home cooking there.
I thought Davino should drop to a leg. Hold on and take the stall call.
Blaze should/could have been hit with stalling after the reversal as well. He was on drop down leg for more than 5 seconds. Another lapse in officiating.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Christopher Henderson added to this discussion on February 16, 2026
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In regards to Casey Talbot: I didn't mean to personally insult you, so I'm sorry if you took it that way. I still disagree with your take that these are just kids and not adult professional athletes. The Buckeyes earned $200,000 for winning the dual meet tournament. High School and D 2-3 do it for the love of the sport. The starters are well paid professionals. Choking is a thing that happens, and it's not a moral failing, just a performance issue. It's something Fishback is known for, as observed by Pat. I'd love to see something change or go in another direction. There are two weeks to get ready for the Big Ten tourney. I'll believe it when I see it, though.
In response to Jim. I am more critical of the rules than the refs who just enforce the rules. The NCAA can absolutely encourage the refs to promote action. The double stall call is actually a great call that can get the crown excited because they know the wrestlers might have to try something. Maybe some people don't like it, but I enjoy more points on the board. International wrestling made rules adjustments over the years and the results have been highly beneficial.
Also, is anyone concerned that Feldman just lost to a wrestler that he beat 10-3 last year? PSU really seems to help wrestlers develop so quickly. It's impressive to see.
Let's hope the Buckeyes get healthy and get into really excellent shape for next month, they're going to need it!
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on February 16, 2026
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Quote from Christopher Henderson's post:
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"
In response to Jim. I am more critical of the rules than the refs who just enforce the rules. The NCAA can absolutely encourage the refs to promote action. The double stall call is actually a great call that can get the crown excited because they know the wrestlers might have to try something. Maybe some people don't like it, but I enjoy more points on the board. International wrestling made rules adjustments over the years and the results have been highly beneficial.
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I am assuming that you have never been an official, correct?
First, getting the crowd excited is not my task nor is it the responsibility of the wrestlers. Their job is to win within the rules and my job is to enforce the rules.
What is your next step when the double stall doesn't work? The wrestlers continue doing (or not doing) exactly the same thing. Do you start selectively making stalling calls? You, as a fan, are excited until the calls go against YOUR guy. Then you aren't so happy, go on a forum and complain that the official interjected himself into the match when he should have let them wrestle.
I don't disagree that more points generally means more fun and excitement. However, IMO, it should not be manufactured action.
You make reference to FS and their rules changes. I like the step out and the no overtime but I am not a fan of the "warning" to create action within 45 seconds and getting put on a shot clock. Also, if you want more action, get rid of the stupid riding time. While it is hard to ride, that is nothing more than legalized stalling. No other form of the sport has riding time except the NCAA because they are stuck in the past. Last points scored and no OT would create far more action than a double stall call ever will.
Sorry if you disagree.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Christopher Henderson added to this discussion on February 16, 2026
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I agree Jim!
Riding time is a terrible rule that merely encourages hanging on on top.
The push out rule in freestyle has been a total success and could help with folkstyle in exactly the same manner.
Having criteria instead of overtime would certainly speed up tournaments, which I'm sure referees would love. And, like you said, would almost eliminate the need for double stall calls. I do remember double stall-calls being enforced way back when I used to wrestle. Are they still in the rule book?
I was also relieved that the grounded rule was finally eliminated from Freestyle. I never could understand the rule from the start.
Also a question for a referee: What is with the two-point reversal? I can see the argument for a 4 points, even, but 3 seems the most logical. Are others referees baffled by the scoring?
Thanks for your perspective.
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Discussion Topic: Ohio State v Penn State: #2 v #1 on Feb 13
Jim Behrens added to this discussion on February 16, 2026
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Quote from Christopher Henderson's post:
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"I agree Jim!
Riding time is a terrible rule that merely encourages hanging on on top.
The push out rule in freestyle has been a total success and could help with folkstyle in exactly the same manner.
Having criteria instead of overtime would certainly speed up tournaments, which I'm sure referees would love. And, like you said, would almost eliminate the need for double stall calls. I do remember double stall-calls being enforced way back when I used to wrestle. Are they still in the rule book?
I was also relieved that the grounded rule was finally eliminated from Freestyle. I never could understand the rule from the start.
Also a question for a referee: What is with the two-point reversal? I can see the argument for a 4 points, even, but 3 seems the most logical. Are others referees baffled by the scoring?
Thanks for your perspective."
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See, we do agree on a number of items!!
My second to last State finals match went to UTB and I would have loved to have been able to use criteria. I am going to have to go back and watch it with that in mind and see what might have changed.
There is nothing in the rules to encourage or prohibit a double stall. We can certainly call it but most guys consider that a "cop out" call. The preference is to hit one with stalling and a short time later, assuming nothing has changed, hit the other one. I always referred to a double stall as "potentially boring".
Your question is interesting. It took several weeks to get used to awarding 3 for a TD. The adjustment, after 40+ years was NOT easy. Even now I occasionally catch myself starting to throw up 2 and it becomes 3 on the way up. Similarly it was REALLY hard to stop counting NF at a 4 count.
Regarding your specific question, many of us have caught ourselves throwing up 3 points for a reversal. It seems almost natural. I have absolutely no idea why they stuck with two for the reversal but we have adjusted. I will say that I like the 3 point TD. I always said that the old way (2 for a TD and 1 for an escape) made no sense. Guys routinely give away an escape but they NEVER willingly give up a TD.
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