Tom Ryan assesses Ohio State wrestling performance in loss to No. 1 Penn State

No. 8 Ohio State had a puncher’s chance against No. 1 Penn State, but Tom Ryan and crew fell short. Although it wasn’t for a lack of trying in the 27-13 loss for the No. 8 Buckeyes.

In one of the most hyped duals in the Big Ten this weekend, the Buckeyes started out with a bang as No. 21 Brendan McCrone pinned No. 7 Luke Luledahl at 125 pounds. However, Penn State won more of the toss up bouts and used their hammers in the upperweights to wrap up the dual.

CLICK HERE to watch Unstoppable on Prime Video — The true story of the indomitable spirit of Anthony Robles

Overall, Ryan was pleased with the effort, especially starting things right for the home crowd.

“Overall, proud of my team,” Ryan said to BTN’s Shane Sparks. “There’s no such thing as a moral victory, but you know, we fought, we battled. I’m really proud of McCrone. Coach Jaggers has done a great job with McCrone … He wants to learn, he wants to get better and he was sick as a dog tonight. So that’s a big thing as well for us … I know you don’t feel well. It’s not ideal to go out there in front of 5,000 people, sick as a dog. 

“But you do because your team needed you. He didn’t make a peep. He went out there, got taken out early a couple times, and then took top. And you know, he’s dangerous on top, so when you have a knockout punch like that, you’re always in it. And man, we needed it in order to upset them tonight. We needed a good start. And he blew the roof off the place.” 

The next few bouts practically determined the fate of the dual. No. 11 Nic Bouzakis fell to No. 8 Braeden Davis 8-5 to give Penn State three points.

Then a rematch of last year’s NCAA final at 141 pounds went in the favor of No. 3 Beau Bartlett, who beat No. 1 Jesse Mendez 4-2. The two wrestlers are 2-2 now over the last two seasons.

Once No. 2 Shayne Van Ness beat No. 7 Dylan D’Emilio 4-2, Penn State held a 9-6 lead and went to work in the second half.

“And then we had a chance in the next three. I mean, (133), I thought we out wrestled them. I thought we out wrestled them at 141 and I thought we outwrestled them at 149 … but they won the close positions in those bouts,” Ryan said. “Really really proud of (Brandon) Cannon (at 157). You know, we know that Cannon is a special guy. I mean, (Joe Sealy) is no easy win. And I thought Cannon just did a great job, staying in the match, staying aggressive, rode him hard, and then we were just out man at 165 … So overall, a great event, senior night. You know, our seniors couple went out losses, but grateful for the passion and love, they showed the program. And now we’re off to Big Tens and Nationals.”

Penn State 27, Ohio State 13

125 – Brendan McCrone (Ohio State) fall Luke Lilledahl (Penn State)  3:58
133 – Braeden Davis (Penn State) dec Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State)  8-5
141 – Beau Bartlett (Penn State) dec Jesse Mendez (Ohio State)  4-2
149 – Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) dec Dylan D’Emilio (Ohio State)  4-2
157 – Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) maj Joseph Sealey (Penn State)  10-1
165 – Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) tech Brock Herman (Ohio State)  19-4
174 – Levi Haines (Penn State) dec Carson Kharchla (Ohio State)   6-4
184 – Carter Starocci (Penn State) tech Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio State)  22-7
197 – Josh Barr (Penn State) tech Seth Shumate (Ohio State)  20-5
285 – Nick Feldman (Ohio State) dec Cole Mirasola (Penn State)  10-3