PSU - Iowa '26 Match Thread

HOA242n!

Sophomore
Aug 18, 2025
78
185
33
Probably going to be unpopular opinion, but felt Davis in 3rd period was just trying to get another stall call on Bailey. It was really just a bunch of faux 1/2 shots, never seemed to be really committed to any of them. Like others have said, think he’ll be fine as conditioning improves and will avenge this loss.
Like seeing the ride out in the 2nd period, but Davis wasn't remotely close to a takedown the entire match.
 
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kingstown

Senior
Dec 7, 2025
253
773
93
I really enjoyed the dual. I was there very early and visited with a few PSU old timers about an hour and a half before it started. One guy was a lawyer who is involved in Titan Mercury. I can't for the life of me recall his name. It was very odd to see how empty the arena was with so many seats open. The 184 match ended and a mass exodus ensued and it really became a ghost town of sorts. There was a nice couple from Conn. who had twin boys and they were from the same community Will Henckel comes from. They said Will comes and works with these boys on wrestling whenever he can. The boys were decked out head to toe with one in PSU gear and one in Iowa gear. Cute as bugs and probably 7-8 years old. I visited with Shane Sparks for quite awhile and he is such an amazing guy imo. He has nothing but an incredible admiration for the entire PSU program. I wore PSU gear and was treated very well by pretty much everyone. Great night. Sorry for the rambling.
 

a_mshaffer

Junior
Dec 8, 2014
196
266
63
Most of us would like to see a stall called when a wrestler repeatedly goes to one knee ... myself included. It's ironic, though; Ferrari would likely become a better wrestler.

For the sake of wresting I'm still for the change. When Jim Gibbons openly criticizes an IOWA wrestler's style, you know it gets the attention of other coaches and officials.

I believe that this is a conversation that goes beyond this board.
fIFY
 
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Sunshine88!

All-Conference
Sep 26, 2025
1,196
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Davis sort wrestles flat footed, the take downs he gives up are never in doubt.
Agree. His reaction time definitely needs to be fixed in the room. Theirs drills he can work on to help. Speed drills along with wrestling RBY. Gotta be quick to hang with RBY.
 

Brian LB-U

Sophomore
Oct 11, 2021
27
113
28
Is it reasonable to assume that Iowa executed more takedowns and committed fewer stalls against PSU than Rutgers did?
 

kingstown

Senior
Dec 7, 2025
253
773
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Sinclair is the one to watch out for in March, IMO
I was talking to a very connected Iowa fan last night before the dual and he told me he was very worried for Angelo. He said "You have Askren on one hand and Cael on the other figuring out how to attack Angelo and take advantage of his stupid knee trick." He went on to explain that if either one figures it out they both will because they have the type of coaches that learn from all possible sources. He was not a Brands fan.
 

jack66

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
3,301
3,027
113
Engage, work to score.

Isn't that what the ref repeatedly told Ferrari, yet he didn't get his 1st stall call until halfway through the 3rd period, then he proceeded to wrestle from one knee the rest of the way without a 2nd call.

IMO, they don't need a new rule; the refs just need to call obvious stalling. Lewan rarely tried to score, but at least he engaged opponents... Ferrari does neither.
 

nerfstate

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2021
524
1,952
93
A lotta Davis grumbling in this thread. I don‘t get it. He’s one of my favorite competitors on the team. And it’s not like he’s an under achiever. TrFr B1G champ (ask Cenzo if that’s easy), and scored big bonus for us placing 5th last year. Most of us probably thought he wouldn’t crack our postseason lineup once. BD is a proving-wrong machine.

Bailey is fast, has good stuff and got a slick takedown and would have pinned plenty of lesser dudes with that cradle. Braeden rode the tar out of him and if it wasn’t for that one exchange in the first, the match would’ve looked extremely similar to their match last year.

Sure he didn’t win, and sure he has areas to improve. Bet ya a ton of money he knows what those are… The good news is, conditioning being one, it’s pretty attainable soon.
 

Cstroke

Senior
Feb 10, 2019
293
867
93
Agree. His reaction time definitely needs to be fixed in the room. Theirs drills he can work on to help. Speed drills along with wrestling RBY. Gotta be quick to hang with RBY.
I don't think he can fix his reaction time, maybe make it better..
He seems to try and bully other wrestlers and when they drop out of it he's caught flat... He's mostly successful with his approach but it does get him burned. It seems to happen to Shane as well, but not as often.
Edited.. not picking on Davis, 2nd match back and is on track..
I think he'd be a title contender with cleaning a few things up..
 

BaccaFarmer

Junior
Aug 20, 2018
142
373
63
Angelo Ferrari is the most boring wrestler in the history of Folksyle wrestling
Well that’s debatable, but, let’s agree that he’s in the running for “most boring”. He’s got 3 more years to develop ….. but, not all of those 3 years will be in Iowa City. Even a low IQ person knows when he’s not being developed.
 
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Anon1683312534

Sophomore
May 5, 2023
97
100
33
I didn't see it. I saw a few people suggesting that Lucas get a match or two, which he will. I don't quite understand why some of us want to start fights all the time over our wrestlers: 99 percent of our fans root equally for all of our wrestlers. Cole is improving now weekly and that's normal for a Cael coached wrestler. He's going to get better and better and he looked damn good against Kueter. Personally I think all of the "what's wrong with Kueter" thoughts are more disrespectful than the Lucas suggestions....That match had nothing to do with what is wrong with Kueter. Nothing is wrong with Kueter: He got beat by a better wrestler.
Watoos is 100% correct.
 
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MPPosterDeuce

Freshman
Apr 9, 2022
16
89
13
Hawkeye Report has just revealed once again that Penn State takes steroids. Also PJ is a "dirty wrestler". I was actually shocked that they didn't drop the Sandusky card, but its been 15 years now and that card is pretty much faded to dust, kinda like their records, almost all of which are gone now
How many times are you going to come on here and repost what you read on Hawkeye Report? If we cared or wanted a play by play we could go over there and read it ourselves. You just make yourself look obsessed with them by doing this.
 

BaccaFarmer

Junior
Aug 20, 2018
142
373
63
I don’t care if Ferrari ends up a 4xer, so glad that dude isn’t wrestling for PSU! Can’t stand watching him! GO ROCCO!!!
In fairness, I would guess that TNT are not providing Ferrari with much in the way of technical coaching. They probably don’t want to mess him up as they’ve done with a few others. Best TNT can do is to offer something out of their stale bag of strategies (stall, slap, live on the edge).
 

El_Jefe

All-American
Oct 11, 2021
2,283
7,860
113
Well that’s debatable, but, let’s agree that he’s in the running for “most boring”. He’s got 3 more years to develop ….. but, not all of those 3 years will be in Iowa City. Even a low IQ person knows when he’s not being developed.
Maybe ... but where else is he gonna go? The better coaches all don't need and/or don't want him.

If the answer is: with Albert in Lincoln, their patience is getting tested with 1 Ferrari. Would they really bring in another?
 

watoos

Senior
Oct 31, 2021
520
851
93
Well that’s debatable, but, let’s agree that he’s in the running for “most boring”. He’s got 3 more years to develop ….. but, not all of those 3 years will be in Iowa City. Even a low IQ person knows when he’s not being developed.
Nebraska is a perfect fit unless Allred goes for a 9th year. He can sell T-shirts with his name a big corn cob on the front. No disrespect to farmers.
 

a_mshaffer

Junior
Dec 8, 2014
196
266
63
good match - wanted our guys to score more but I'm getting greedy... all things considered. Waiting for CropDusters report!

Think Tom called it right about his guys backing up - not sure if he is right regarding it is easier to get to one's office when stalking. You do have to give him credit for not making excuses - sick, long bus rides, etc. I think most of their shots were a result of us stalking looking for openings. Is interesting that the grabbing the hands in neutral is a primary hand fighting go-to. Everyone is doing it and it does slow things down. Aside from MM, we did back up in those matches where we had a lead in the last 30 seconds - at least it seemed we weren't looking for a td as Iowa went desperate. Finally, is the sky really falling when you have a perennial top 5 team?

Luke - outstanding job. Dean looked bigger but #1 LL had a good match.
MB - outstanding as well. His 'knee' offense was to constantly paw Drake on top of the head which seemed to get him uncomfortable
Davis - would have liked to see some O on his feet although there was a lot of mat time. Good rider but to me he was riding and close to getting a stall. Like his pursuit in the 3rd but he was on empty. No issues considering everything
SVN - no issues here. Still think he is a Natty Champ. He's so cool and smooth. I also thinks he wrestles to try things - really having fun.
PJ - couple of 'should have' TDs but he controlled the match. Still think he got 3 when he stepped over and the lock was broken on the challenge. Wish there were 10 more seconds as that match would have ended.
MM - Nothing to say. Mikey didn't get a chance to shoot... MM taking some 'bad' shots but was guessing / anticipating on most of them (looked like to me). Mentioned it earlier.. he'll close out with 1 loss. Top shelf. Also - hard to call someone for stalling when the opponent is shooting non-stop - hard to get one off on your own with any reasonable chance...
Levi - If more urgent I think he could have gotten to some more attacks. Your opponent simply playing D
Rocco - wrestled a good match. Wondering if he could have timed it when AJ was coming off his knee and putting weight on his left foot.. But he did keep his right leg clear of any shots. I too think of any back pedaling and a drop to the knee is stalling - especially consistently
Josh - the assassin is now officially (if not before) on everyone's scouting report. Did what we expected!!!
CM - good shot but not a good finish. I would think he would try and turn the corner vs coming underneath. Big win.
 

Cyclingmike

Sophomore
Oct 31, 2001
147
136
43
A lotta Davis grumbling in this thread. I don‘t get it. He’s one of my favorite competitors on the team. And it’s not like he’s an under achiever. TrFr B1G champ (ask Cenzo if that’s easy), and scored big bonus for us placing 5th last year. Most of us probably thought he wouldn’t crack our postseason lineup once. BD is a proving-wrong machine.

Bailey is fast, has good stuff and got a slick takedown and would have pinned plenty of lesser dudes with that cradle. Braeden rode the tar out of him and if it wasn’t for that one exchange in the first, the match would’ve looked extremely similar to their match last year.

Sure he didn’t win, and sure he has areas to improve. Bet ya a ton of money he knows what those are… The good news is, conditioning being one, it’s pretty attainable soon.

A lotta Davis grumbling in this thread. I don‘t get it. He’s one of my favorite competitors on the team. And it’s not like he’s an under achiever. TrFr B1G champ (ask Cenzo if that’s easy), and scored big bonus for us placing 5th last year. Most of us probably thought he wouldn’t crack our postseason lineup once. BD is a proving-wrong machine.

Bailey is fast, has good stuff and got a slick takedown and would have pinned plenty of lesser dudes with that cradle. Braeden rode the tar out of him and if it wasn’t for that one exchange in the first, the match would’ve looked extremely similar to their match last year.

Sure he didn’t win, and sure he has areas to improve. Bet ya a ton of money he knows what those are… The good news is, conditioning being one, it’s pretty attainable soon.
BD is one of my favorites…….he had to pass on 2 redshirt years. Interesting style and persona. He may surprise some in March!
 

pish69

All-Conference
Jan 11, 2016
848
1,768
93
A lotta Davis grumbling in this thread. I don‘t get it. He’s one of my favorite competitors on the team. And it’s not like he’s an under achiever. TrFr B1G champ (ask Cenzo if that’s easy), and scored big bonus for us placing 5th last year. Most of us probably thought he wouldn’t crack our postseason lineup once. BD is a proving-wrong machine.

Bailey is fast, has good stuff and got a slick takedown and would have pinned plenty of lesser dudes with that cradle. Braeden rode the tar out of him and if it wasn’t for that one exchange in the first, the match would’ve looked extremely similar to their match last year.

Sure he didn’t win, and sure he has areas to improve. Bet ya a ton of money he knows what those are… The good news is, conditioning being one, it’s pretty attainable soon.
I wish I could like this post 100 times. 100% agree with you
 

kingstown

Senior
Dec 7, 2025
253
773
93
good match - wanted our guys to score more but I'm getting greedy... all things considered. Waiting for CropDusters report!

Think Tom called it right about his guys backing up - not sure if he is right regarding it is easier to get to one's office when stalking. You do have to give him credit for not making excuses - sick, long bus rides, etc. I think most of their shots were a result of us stalking looking for openings. Is interesting that the grabbing the hands in neutral is a primary hand fighting go-to. Everyone is doing it and it does slow things down. Aside from MM, we did back up in those matches where we had a lead in the last 30 seconds - at least it seemed we weren't looking for a td as Iowa went desperate. Finally, is the sky really falling when you have a perennial top 5 team?

Luke - outstanding job. Dean looked bigger but #1 LL had a good match.
MB - outstanding as well. His 'knee' offense was to constantly paw Drake on top of the head which seemed to get him uncomfortable
Davis - would have liked to see some O on his feet although there was a lot of mat time. Good rider but to me he was riding and close to getting a stall. Like his pursuit in the 3rd but he was on empty. No issues considering everything
SVN - no issues here. Still think he is a Natty Champ. He's so cool and smooth. I also thinks he wrestles to try things - really having fun.
PJ - couple of 'should have' TDs but he controlled the match. Still think he got 3 when he stepped over and the lock was broken on the challenge. Wish there were 10 more seconds as that match would have ended.
MM - Nothing to say. Mikey didn't get a chance to shoot... MM taking some 'bad' shots but was guessing / anticipating on most of them (looked like to me). Mentioned it earlier.. he'll close out with 1 loss. Top shelf. Also - hard to call someone for stalling when the opponent is shooting non-stop - hard to get one off on your own with any reasonable chance...
Levi - If more urgent I think he could have gotten to some more attacks. Your opponent simply playing D
Rocco - wrestled a good match. Wondering if he could have timed it when AJ was coming off his knee and putting weight on his left foot.. But he did keep his right leg clear of any shots. I too think of any back pedaling and a drop to the knee is stalling - especially consistently
Josh - the assassin is now officially (if not before) on everyone's scouting report. Did what we expected!!!
CM - good shot but not a good finish. I would think he would try and turn the corner vs coming underneath. Big win.
Luke looked like the Luke I expected this season. My goodness is he quick. MM does everything possible to expand my admiration for his skill, Rocco wrestled physical and with a great wrestling IQ. Cole brought the hand fight and pace early. This is his way to win tough matches. Levi and PJ just won without risk against guys who didn't want wrestling exchanges. Davis gave up an early takedown but never quit competing. He is not going to be a liability but yet another strength. Josh is a beast. Blaze has the wrestling savvy of a 30 year old assistant coach. He can beat you in whatever manner you choose. Shane had a very skilled opponent who showed up to compete but he just did SVN things and turned a close match into a MD late. This team is sick!
 
Jun 3, 2025
278
712
93
One month ago today Flo had Iowa ranked ahead of Penn State
The Flo Boys be like:
 

BigbucksBob

Sophomore
Dec 13, 2021
17
154
28
The Brands brothers were genetically gifted with insane endurance that cannot be taught.

Couple that with excellent fundamentals and an extreme hatred of losing and they had great success.

Their way is not the normal path to success in Div I wrestling, especially now that scrambling and technique have become so important. I think that's why they have problems teaching their guys to wrestle an aggressive style.

This is where good, young assistants would help them out, but they are stubbornly set on the current staff, why, I have no idea.
Tom, Lar and I have tried poaching a better staff. Talked to Nolf, Dake, etc. When we asked if they would shovel snow and do other household chores on recruiting trips they tell us to go F ourselves. That’s not the kind of guys we want representing our program
 
Feb 11, 2018
493
790
93
What are Iowa's chances vs Ohio State?
Slim but possible. I guess. based on 27-12 National Duals loss. Like, if I close one eye, squint with the other, and tilt my head, I can see an Iowa path to victory.

No Endene most likely means 6 to 9 point swing for tOSU

No Feldman getting forfeit means 3 to 9 point swing for Iowa.

More negatives for Iowa - Ferrari and Kennedy SV wins could be flipped.

More positives for Iowa - Ayala or Block losses could be flipped.

So I expect a similar score.
 
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