Iowa vs Oklahoma State

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

You think Iowa is a better job than OSU now?

No, but money doesn't talk, it screams bloody murder. Taylor already followed the coin.

'Hey if you want to be the best in the world, you come to Penn State, you stay afterwards and you train with the Nittany Lion Wresting Club,'"

David Taylor, April 19, 2024.

31 days later he accepted the Okie State and is now promising his recruits that Stillwater, not State College is the place to be.

Has a signature hire left Cael's staff the way Gilman left Taylor's? Does the 2025 NCAA points record or the 86 consecutive dual meet victories change the evaluation?

So far...

DT pushed two talented guys (Hamiti and Hendrickson) over the line. Hendrickson was fortunate because Steveson came back for coronation, not competition.

He has five good freshmen, but one just got beat by the one who he beat before and spent seven minutes stalling,

Has Facundo improved? Ryder? Spratley? Swiderski? Figueroa? (before I hear Figs was only in it for the money, keep in mind sensing a mercenary is part of the job, money's not unlimited)

Maybe he will become a great developer of talent, but right now, he's only a great recruiter.

 

[MPPosterDeuce]

Arnold got screwed by not awarding him a takedown in the 3rd.
Arnold fled the mat and deserved the stall call in OT.
Both things can be true.

 

[JoePaMajorCFBrecord409Ws]

The stall call in the Arnold match was only issued at that time (IMHO for the ref to show how good of ref he is). Earlier matches, with far worse stalling by both Iowa and OSU wrestlers - the whistle remained silent. Completely inconsistent. So, while technically not a horrid cll in isolation, it was horrid the way the match had been called

It actually was a pretty horrid call as the action only stops when the inbounds wrestler goes fully out-of-bounds. When Arnold freed his ankle, Ryder was still in-bounds - Arnold could have re-entered the mat circling left or right and the action would have continued. What stopped the action was Ryder voluntarily taking himself fully out-of-bounds. What Ryder did was stalling more so than what Arnold did because Arnold's actions did not stop the action - it was Ryder's voluntary action of stepping out-of-bounds that caused the action to stop, not anything Arnold did.

 

[Lil Nicky Scarfo]

I have no problem acknowledging there is going to come a time. The idea it might happen in the year we have 7 guys who are probable finalists and the 3 other spots will be filled with (149) Davis, Desmond or someone better, 174 Henckel or James and 184 Cunningham, Connor Mirasola or James just seems like a silly conversation. That is a team scoring 180 to 200 points or more. Oklahoma St in 10 years, may just step up and claim king of the hill. Assuming Cael, Casey and Cody are still in Happy Valley and there hasn't been some sort of catastrophic talent loss that change just isn't happening in 2028. If Oklahoma State has a performance that is historically great at an Oklahoma State level they will still be 50 points behind in second place.

My response has nothing to do with being angry over the idea that someone might actually be better than Penn State again in the future. It has to do with the frustration of reading it so often and the complete level of silliness and lack of knowledge on the subject that it requires to arrive at that conclusion.
It is as frustrating as reading over and over and over that we need to get a transfer for heavyweight or that Luke will be lucky to escape the Ohio State match without getting pinned.

All I see so far from Oklahoma State is a young guy building his program into a strong team and if he sticks with it he will eventually win a couple team titles. I also see a response from a guy who is already a great coach seeming to understand the threat from the challenger who has responded with a snort and grunt of determined "not anytime some my one time friend!"

It’s similar to the other guy always closing the gap as if our guys sit around and play video games.

Like Cael is all of a sudden going to stop recruiting

 

[PSU AD]

I will say this. Iowa’s program is a mess right now. Every season they regress as the season goes on. I am shocked at Ayala. Not just getting TF’ed, but I believe he’s lost 7 or 8 matches this year. He was a finalist the last 2 years and a favorite to win it all this year. Is he hurt, disinterested or has the Iowa program destroyed him. I don’t see Drake as a guy not working hard or disinterested. Just shocked how far he’s dropped. He might not even AA this year. Wow!

A number of years ago I posted a question. 'Does Tom Brands make his wrestlers better?' In my mind I saw his wrestlers hitting the proverbial wall and not working around it. I saw Tom becoming more of a focus than his wrestling program. I wasn't seeing his wrestlers improving as each year progressed. In my mind, I started seeing Iowa wrestlers trying not to lose. Translation? More stalling on the part of Iowa wrestlers. Moving forward. I am not seeing Iowa recruit good high school wrestlers as well as they had in the past. I think that was evident in tonight's match with OSU. Gabe Arnold, a recruit, is an example. Arnold doesn't do a good job of scoring, and then I watched the Iowa bench grouse about the stalling call that ended the match, but if you watch any of Arnold's (or Ferrari's) matches they grab and block or get down on a knee or two and become passive instead of trying to score. Iowa - stop stalling! I agree with Frank Tanks assessment in which he states, 'Iowa's program is a mess right now."

 

[Misalorales]

Precisely

 

[Misalorales]

I don't read you as a moron. I typically appreciate your posts. I used your post as a vehicle for my response. But yes, I do find the continued 2028 responses as I described them. Silly and all that other stuff I wrote.

Feel free to blast me for one of my dumb posts. I make them frequently enough and I might snort back at you, but it won't change my appreciation for waay more than 83% of your posts.

Fair enough.

 

[pawrstlersinpa]

Not sure what stockings have to do with it, but...

 

[Foreverinbluejeans57]

I think next year's is going to be hard to supplant as best ever. But I thought that about last year and then this year so who knows haha

I look at it a few ways. Does OSU have a chance to form an upperclassman group much like Iowa in 2021 where the shear volume get them a title? Maybe but PSU’s upcoming teams would lay waste to 2021 team. OSU will likely have 2 guys on that team that Cael pushed really hard for in Jax and Dreshaun, and even at those weight classes Penn state will have their say. I get the feeling Marcus and PJ will only be on team championship teams while here.

 

[Hotshoe]

The officiating is ruining the sport.

Precisely. Who wants to watch this sh&t? Knees on the ground half the match. Zach on his, in tie ups 1/2 the match, and then wins on stall calls. No TD awarded. It's becoming a joke. Why the official gov body doesn't insist on actually wrestling is mind boggling to me. No one enjoys this nonsense. Either wrestle or get off the mat from stalling out.

 

[Misalorales]

I look at it a few ways. Does OSU have a chance to form an upperclassman group much like Iowa in 2021 where the shear volume get them a title? Maybe but PSU’s upcoming teams would lay waste to 2021 team. OSU will likely have 2 guys on that team that Cael pushed really hard for in Jax and Dreshaun, and even at those weight classes Penn state will have their say. I get the feeling Marcus and PJ will only be on team championship teams while here.

I think the true interesting part of all of this is where Ok states hammers end up weight wise. Can Ok St field a roster where their hammers beat some of PSUs at weights wed expect championship points? Maybe. Time will tell. I just know when you start listing PSU studs, Ok St studs and mix in some VA tech guys and MAYBE an Iowa guy or two the future could be more interesting than what we've grown accustom to

 

[JA1339]

No chance. He's 9-7 and his best win this year was Van Dee.

Drake probably wishes he graduated last year.

 

[Sandy2176]

This season?

This season???

Probably not, but they don't look at it that way. They're hungry and not use to loosing. From Locket on down when he hits 174 and Ryder , Merrill get better ,and Ross come aboard I can tell you if we me at a dual attendence will set records. Plus this years recruiting class is the worst thing for Brands job security
Hope I'm not a pessimist. I've played and coached multiple sports. I've seen a lot of should not have happens.

no Ferrari.

Did he silently quit

 

[WV lion]

I’m good those results. Obviously believe Luke and Blaze can win with any draw, but rather them not have Troy and Jax in the quarters, respectively.

Spratley doesn't worry me as much as some other guys.

 

[Sandy2176]

Wow. That one

I'm glad Ryder is not going to be at PSU the next 3 years driving me crazy...

At this point Cael and Co were right.

 

[trufan]

A number of years ago I posted a question. 'Does Tom Brands make his wrestlers better?' In my mind I saw his wrestlers hitting the proverbial wall and not working around it. I saw Tom becoming more of a focus than his wrestling program. I wasn't seeing his wrestlers improving as each year progressed. In my mind, I started seeing Iowa wrestlers trying not to lose. Translation? More stalling on the part of Iowa wrestlers. Moving forward. I am not seeing Iowa recruit good high school wrestlers as well as they had in the past. I think that was evident in tonight's match with OSU. Gabe Arnold, a recruit, is an example. Arnold doesn't do a good job of scoring, and then I watched the Iowa bench grouse about the stalling call that ended the match, but if you watch any of Arnold's (or Ferrari's) matches they grab and block or get down on a knee or two and become passive instead of trying to score. Iowa - stop stalling! I agree with Frank Tanks assessment in which he states, 'Iowa's program is a mess right now."

Look at Ayala. Came to Iowa with a great duck under.
Never developed any other offense.
Is now very predictable.

 

[jstross]

Probably not, but they don't look at it that way. They're hungry and not use to loosing. From Locket on down when he hits 174 and Ryder , Merrill get better ,and Ross come aboard I can tell you if we me at a dual attendence will set records. Plus this years recruiting class is the worst thing for Brands job security
Hope I'm not a pessimist. I've played and coached multiple sports. I've seen a lot of should not have happens.

Did he silently quit

The shoulder must be worse than first thought, but that's just a guess.

 

[mcpat]

I’m not going to to act how Iowa fans and Iowa media acted when Cael took over at PSU. DT looks to be putting together a juggernaut. I hope Cael stays one step ahead and I trust that he will. But DT is our biggest threat to staying on top.

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

Brands sitting Kueter against Doucet That's lame, very lame.

Unless he's injured, and I suspect he is..


Or:

"Hey coach, I'm not going to make the NCAA finals or the Olympics. I'm going back to football.

 

[Efejle]

Spratley doesn't worry me as much as some other guys.

Sprately comes at Luke with that pushing forward thing and Luke will play catch and release like fishing in a Pennsylvania lake

 

[Lil Nicky Scarfo]

At this point Cael and Co were right.

We’d be tearing our hair out watching Facundo and Ryder back to back - being bracketed by Mitch and Josh. Like pairs of guys doing different sports

 

[Efejle]

I’m not going to to act how Iowa fans and Iowa media acted when Cael took over at PSU. DT looks to be putting together a juggernaut. I hope Cael stays one step ahead and I trust that he will. But DT is our biggest threat to staying on top.

He has half of the job done right now but half of the job ain't going to get it done in Cleveland next month when the clock strikes 165 and his guys fade away while Caels guys hammer out bonus.

 

[railbirrd]

Glad to see a reinvigorated Ok state program and crowd. I feel a little bad for Iowa. But man the refereeing has got to be better. Like riding time should stall calls be reset in SV/OT?

If Nick Grosso was the “primary” official, instead of the “secondary” I would be curious to see how he would have made certain calls (takedowns and stalling), which brings me to another question - does the secondary official have any say in the calls on the mat?

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

I’m not going to to act how Iowa fans and Iowa media acted when Cael took over at PSU. DT looks to be putting together a juggernaut. I hope Cael stays one step ahead and I trust that he will. But DT is our biggest threat to staying on top.

It's fine to have faith in the guy, but pump they brakes on "juggernaut". There was a time when the Brands looked to be putting together a "juggernaut".

Right now, I think they lose to the Bugeyes..

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

We’d be tearing our hair out watching Facundo and Ryder back to back - being bracketed by Mitch and Josh. Like pairs of guys doing different sports

Hair?

 

[Efejle]

It's fine to have faith in the guy, but pump they brakes on "juggernaut". There was a time when the Brands looked to be putting together a "juggernaut".

Right now, I think they lose to the Bugeyes..

Remember, Tan Tom sat out 3 guys against us, and the other 3 lost in overtime. Before DT and the pokes start puffing their chests here, they need to go to OHIO in March and win against the Bucks in their head to heads. Robideau? He's not beating Cannon. Troy against Nic? Nope, he pushes forward against Bouzakis And he's counting lights. Vega? Mendez is finishing on him before he can even think of that cradle. Ryder has zero chance of taking down Fishback, etc

 

[JA1339]

Things I'd rather do than watch Lockett wrestle:
1. Have toothpicks inserted under my fingernails.
2. Listen to Weird Al Yankovic on repeat at high volume.
3. Sleep outdoors in my boxers during a blizzard.

Hey Chris, this Weird Al video is gold

 

[pish69]

Iowa won’t allocate a spot for B1Gs at 157, 184,197 or HWT. Crazy

 

[Cali_Nittany1]

And with that Lockett drops to the 3 or 4 seed

If he wins out he'll have 1 loss and will be conference champ (plus 1-1 against Cali). He'll be the 2 seed. The winner of Blaze/Caliendo will be 3. The loser might drop to 5 behind Bianchi if he wins out as a 1 loss conference champ.

@El_Jefe does this track?

 

[jstross]

Iowa won’t allocate a spot for B1Gs at 157, 184,197 or HWT. Crazy

I thought you only needed 8 matches to get an allocation? Or is it 15. Ferrari has 10 matches. Roar has Ferrari as the 3 seed if he's healthy to go.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

I despise the way Lockett wrestles. I don't recall ever seeing a wrestler escape near the center of the mat like he did in the first and third periods and then immediately, and not under pressure, back straight up to the OOB line. In the first period he escaped near the center of the mat and took ten steps straight back to the OOB line without any pressure from Caliendo. He then stood there with both feet outside the OOB line. For the next forty seconds he stood or kneeled on all fours at the edge with no real attempt to move toward the center. In the third period, the same scenario occurred. Lockett escaped near the center of the mat and took eight steps directly back to the OOB line with no real pressure from Caliendo. He then stood there or knelt on all fours for the next 20 seconds. From 1:53 to 1:30 in the third period was just appalling "wrestling" by Lockett.

 

[Corby2]

I thought you only needed 8 matches to get an allocation? Or is it 15. Ferrari has 10 matches.

You need one match wrestled in the last 30 days to be in the coaches poll and 15 for a RPI. 125 Dean is .714 so as long as the cut line doesn't move to .720 he will allocate. 141 if Bailey is the guy he would allocate if it's Kale P he might not.

 

[jstross]

You need one match wrestled in the last 30 days to be in the coaches poll and 15 for a RPI. 125 Dean is .714 so as long as the cut line doesn't move to .720 he will allocate. 141 if Bailey is the guy he would allocate if it's Kale P he might not.

Interesting, I didn't know that.

 

[Corby2]

Interesting, I didn't know that.

The 8 is so you can allocate via winning % .700 you need 2 of 3. Winning % , top 30 in RPI or top 30 coaches poll

 

[jstross]

I despise the way Lockett wrestles. I don't recall ever seeing a wrestler escape near the center of the mat like he did in the first and third periods and then immediately, and not under pressure, back straight up to the OOB line. In the first period he escaped near the center of the mat and took ten steps straight back to the OOB line without any pressure from Caliendo. He then stood there with both feet outside the OOB line. For the next forty seconds he stood or kneeled on all fours at the edge with no real attempt to move toward the center. In the third period, the same scenario occurred. Lockett escaped near the center of the mat and took eight steps directly back to the OOB line with no real pressure from Caliendo. He then stood there or knelt on all fours for the next 20 seconds. From 1:53 to 1:30 in the third period was just appalling "wrestling" by Lockett.

They really need to do something about that. He did nothing. Ruins what could be an exciting match.

 

[RockySmith]

I despise the way Lockett wrestles.

Gotta be honest, I’ve never seen him wrestle. This is his schtick?

My wife seriously asked if he was trying to lose, maybe he was trying to get a specific seed or something by taking a loss. It was a baffling match.

 

[jstross]

Gotta be honest, I’ve never seen him wrestle. This is his schtick?

My wife seriously asked if he was trying to lose, maybe he was trying to get a specific seed or something by taking a loss. It was a baffling match.

I'm going to assume this is the way lockett wrestles since he's like 13-1 with only 1 fall, 0 TF and 1 MD.

 

[El_Jefe]

If he wins out he'll have 1 loss and will be conference champ (plus 1-1 against Cali). He'll be the 2 seed. The winner of Blaze/Caliendo will be 3. The loser might drop to 5 behind Bianchi if he wins out as a 1 loss conference champ.

@El_Jefe does this track?

Not that clear if Blaze is B10 runner-up. Blaze would win Common Opponents and Win %. Who would be #2 in the coaches poll? I'm guessing Lockett takes Quality Wins and RPI due to a better schedule.

But then Blaze and Lockett would be the 2 and 3 in whichever order, not all that significant.

NC State's Will Denny might slip into the 5 seed if he wins ACCs as expected. Quietly, he hasn't lost since 11/15 and no idea how the coaches have him below Ryder Downey with a H2H win + better record.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

Regarding the second stall call on Arnold, this is what the 2025-26 and 2026-27 NCAA Men's Wrestling Casebook says regarding when to call stalling in a kickout situation at the OOB line:

"A.R. 5-17. Is it a mandatory stall call when a wrestler kicks out from a lower leg hold? RULING: No. A wrestler who stays in bounds while kicking out of a lower leg hold in either the neutral or down position, should not be called for stalling unless the referee believes Rule 5.7.1 (avoiding wrestling as an offensive or defensive strategy) applies. If, however, a kick out by a wrestler results in an out of bounds call being made by the referee, then the wrestler kicking out shall be called for stalling (Rule 5.7.8)" (emphasis mine)

My question is if Arnold's kickout actually pulled Ryder out of bounds? Unfortunately the footage angle doesn't show Ryder's foot that is nearest the OOB line. My assumption would be that if Arnold's kickout pulled Ryder out of bounds then a stalling call would be warranted, but if Ryder stepped out of bounds on his own then no stall call would be warranted. @Tom McAndrew what say you?

And for those who are not aware what the NCAA Wrestling Casebook is, it gives various and numerous (42 pages) examples of wrestling and officiating scenarios, and how to properly handle them. It is an excellent resource for referees, wrestling officials and us wrestling fans who enjoy learning the intricacies of wrestling officiating. Here is the link: https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/wrestling/rules/mens/2025-27PRMWR_CaseBook.pdf

Edit: P.S., Also, in slow motion, it can be seen that Ryder momentarily and just barely goes out of bounds in that sequence. That would have been an interesting challenge had Iowa made it.

 

[Roar More]

I have no problem acknowledging there is going to come a time. The idea it might happen in the year we have 7 guys who are probable finalists and the 3 other spots will be filled with (149) Davis, Desmond or someone better, 174 Henckel or James and 184 Cunningham, Connor Mirasola or James just seems like a silly conversation. That is a team scoring 180 to 200 points or more. Oklahoma St in 10 years, may just step up and claim king of the hill. Assuming Cael, Casey and Cody are still in Happy Valley and there hasn't been some sort of catastrophic talent loss that change just isn't happening in 2028. If Oklahoma State has a performance that is historically great at an Oklahoma State level they will still be 50 points behind in second place.

My response has nothing to do with being angry over the idea that someone might actually be better than Penn State again in the future. It has to do with the frustration of reading it so often and the complete level of silliness and lack of knowledge on the subject that it requires to arrive at that conclusion.
It is as frustrating as reading over and over and over that we need to get a transfer for heavyweight or that Luke will be lucky to escape the Ohio State match without getting pinned.

All I see so far from Oklahoma State is a young guy building his program into a strong team and if he sticks with it he will eventually win a couple team titles. I also see a response from a guy who is already a great coach seeming to understand the threat from the challenger who has responded with a snort and grunt of determined "not anytime some my one time friend!"

What everybody fails to appreciate is that Penn State's projected '27-28 starting lineup will all be taking Olympic redshirts that year.