Penn State - Princeton ‘26 match thread

Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
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Penn State scored shutouts in 8 of their 15 duals this season, for a shutout rate of 53% and a dual meet differential score of 39.4. They only had one opponent who scored double digit team points against them with Nebraska scoring twelve team points.

Those teams in NCAA history at or near the top in dual meet differential scores and/or a high number of shutouts during their dual seasons include the following:

The team with the second best dual differential score behind this season's Penn State team is Iowa's 1990-1991 team who ended their dual season 25-0-1 (the tie was to Penn State 19-19). They had a 38.8 point dual differential, although three of their dual opponents were non-D1 (Mankato State, Loras and Ithaca), who they outscored by a combined score of 155-0. They had five total shutouts. Besides their 19-19 tie to Penn State, they gave up 11 points to Northern Iowa and 9 points to both Iowa State and Minnesota.

Iowa's 1991-1992 team went 16-0 with five shutouts and a dual differential score of 37. Two of their shutouts were to non-D1 teams (Loras and S. Colorado) who they outscored by a combined score of 100-0.

The 1982-1983 Oklahoma State team was 22-0 in duals for an NCAA season record of 10 shutouts, but their shutout rate is only 45% compared to Penn State's 53%. One of their shutouts was to a non-D1 school. If that shutout is removed their shutout rate goes down to 43%. Their dual differential was 30.5 points. That season they took second to Iowa in the NCAA tournament by 53 points.

Iowa's team with the most shutouts is their 2009-2010 team. They had eight shutouts out of 23 duals, but three of them were to non-D1 teams. They outscored their four non-D1 opponents (Coe, Cornell College, Iowa Lakes and UNC Pembroke) 195-3. Their dual meet differential was 30 points.

I went through Iowa State's historical records, and their best teams were in the early 1970s, but their dual season results were worse than Oklahoma State and Iowa's best dual meet teams.
 

mjmirv

All-Conference
Jun 15, 2001
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Whoever is in the room teaching the assassin is doing a great job!
keanu reeves GIF
 

Tom McAndrew

BWI Staff
Staff member
Oct 27, 2021
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Assassin has been around for a long time - essentially a modified head lock (a head and shoulder lock - upward arm over head and lower arm under near armpit).... you lift and step over.... then walk it through. You don't see it that often in HS because it requires good length and very good power/strength relative to opponent (you're kind of out of riding position as you set the move up as you're not on top of the bottom wrestler - you're way high and off to the side.... so if the bottom man has a power advantage, they can easily escape before you can step over).

Anyway, I believe it was Ben Askren that really popularized the move in the early 2000s and used it often throughout his Folk and Freestyle career.

You almost never see the assassin it in HS, because it's illegal in HS. If you do see it, and the whistle is not blown, then the ref screwed up, and missed the fact that the offensive wrestler was using an assassin. The ref has the option in HS of stopping the action when the assassin is employed for potentially dangerous, or if they feel the move is intentional or used to punish the opponent, then they can stop the action and award a point to the defensive wrestler for an illegal move by the offensive wrestler.
 

Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
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Do you have the individual takedowns/takedowns given up ratios?
Gopsusports.com had the dual TD numbers before tonight's dual, and I modified the numbers to include tonight's dual. Therefore, these are the season-ending TD numbers for each wrestler:


Luke 51-1
Marcus 50-1
Braeden 23-10
SVN 58-6
PJ 50-2
MM 45-1
Levi 48-3
Rocco 50-4
Josh 45-1
Cole 38-6

To have seven wrestlers give up four or less takedowns in a complete dual season is bonkers, especially when four of them only gave up one takedown each.

*** Team total ***
458-35
 
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Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
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Should make the season dual margin of victory 39.4, which is to my knowledge is the most dominate season since at least pre Dan Gable. The top 3 are 2025-2026 PSU AT 39.4, 1991-1992 Hawkeyes at 36.9, 2024-2025 PSU at 35.8..
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Misalorales

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I just ran the numbers a few times for confirmation, but I have the 1991-1992 Iowa team at 32.4 and the 1990-1991 Iowa team at 34. These numbers are based on the historical data in the their Media guide.
Well ...Idk what to say. I also ran those numbers and that's not what I got haha. Hmm I'll double check in a day or two. I do have the 90-91 Hawkeyes at 33.9 so we agree there..
 
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Misalorales

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2025
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I just ran the numbers a few times for confirmation, but I have the 1991-1992 Iowa team at 32.4 and the 1990-1991 Iowa team at 34. These numbers are based on the historical data in the their Media guide.
I just check again. I have that 91-92 team at 16-0, total margin of victory of either 590/591 depending on which score you used for the one dual. Checked two separate sources but I primarily used the main hawkeyesportsonline site or whatever it's called. Either way, this years Penn State team clears haha
 

Scam likely

Senior
Nov 3, 2022
302
620
93
Gopsusports.com had the dual TD numbers before tonight's dual, and I modified the numbers to include tonight's dual. Therefore, these are the season-ending TD numbers for each wrestler:


Luke 51-1
Marcus 50-1
Braeden 23-10
SVN 58-6
PJ 50-2
MM 45-1
Levi 48-3
Rocco 50-4
Josh 45-1
Cole 38-6

*** Team total ***
458-35
I wonder what is Desmond ratio?
 

Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
1,163
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Well ...Idk what to say. I also ran those numbers and that's not what I got haha. Hmm I'll double check in a day or two. I do have the 90-91 Hawkeyes at 33.9 so we agree there..
You are correct. I ran the numbers again for the 91-92 season and came up with your 36.9 number. Thanks!
 
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PSUNAV

Redshirt
May 13, 2014
31
43
18
Gopsusports.com had the dual TD numbers before tonight's dual, and I modified the numbers to include tonight's dual. Therefore, these are the season-ending TD numbers for each wrestler:


Luke 51-1
Marcus 50-1
Braeden 23-10
SVN 58-6
PJ 50-2
MM 45-1
Levi 48-3
Rocco 50-4
Josh 45-1
Cole 38-6

*** Team total ***
458-35
Who would have predicted that MM would be tied for seventh in total takedowns on the year for PSU?!
I love that he works for the pin this year!
 

PSU Mike

All-American
Jul 28, 2001
4,137
7,256
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It was great seeing Levi go out with a pin. That kid he pinned was fighting like hell for a while, and then I think he was trying to put his own shoulders down. That looked really Zain-like painful!

Rocco looked great. Barr has really got the feel for the assassin. He transitions to it quickly. Mirasola looked like he was in a hurry.
I think initially the kid’s foot was actually under him and blocking the shoulder. I don’t know how, but that’s how it looked. I didn’t replay it.
 

Ruby Tues

Junior
Oct 29, 2021
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Looking forward to watching the match and seeing what everyone was writing about. Especially Levi’s final match at Rec hall. Hopefully it’s up on YouTube already.
 
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HOA242n!

Senior
Aug 18, 2025
233
573
93
I’m 57 and go to the gym every day. I swear I get injuries like this all the time. I’m doing PT for 2 things right now. You would think that being active is a good way to stay healthy, but I am coming to the conclusion that it’s not that simple. Getting old sucks.
I just turned 45 and get injured constantly from nothing. No acute traumatic events. Currently have a broken pinky toe and am waiting for MRI results to see if I need shoulder surgery (already had the other shoulder sewn up 2yrs ago). I haven't lifted, rolled, or sparred in two weeks because of the shoulder - nothing but walking and yoga - and somehow I'm still sore. I'm not that far removed from getting hurt and just knowing I'd be fine with a single night's rest, but you hit a chronological point and you just don't recover.

I have a few buddies in their 60's who are grappling 4-5x/week (one just earned his BJJ black belt at 68) and climbing mountains; I gain more respect for them with each passing day.
 

eddy line

Sophomore
Mar 20, 2018
50
145
33
Gopsusports.com had the dual TD numbers before tonight's dual, and I modified the numbers to include tonight's dual. Therefore, these are the season-ending TD numbers for each wrestler:


Luke 51-1
Marcus 50-1
Braeden 23-10
SVN 58-6
PJ 50-2
MM 45-1
Levi 48-3
Rocco 50-4
Josh 45-1
Cole 38-6

*** Team total ***
458-35
MM has been working on his top game this season. Still, it’s shocking that he’s 1) tied for 6th place on the team for number of TDs and 2) behind Rocco. Didn’t have that on my bingo card!

Edit: I somehow missed PSUNAV’s post (#335). Sorry for the repetition.
 
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paleryder

Junior
Apr 28, 2017
81
276
53
I’m 57 and go to the gym every day. I swear I get injuries like this all the time. I’m doing PT for 2 things right now. You would think that being active is a good way to stay healthy, but I am coming to the conclusion that it’s not that simple. Getting old sucks.
I'll be 78 in May. I received shrapnel wounds in both shoulders back in '68. I suffered with shoulder pains and and lack of motion in them for years. I took another shrapnel wound in my right knee during the same firefight. Anyway, long story short, a few years ago my kids suggested i start Tai Chi. It took a while for them to convince me but I finally relented and I gotta say that after 2 months, the movement in those joints was pain free and I haven't looked back since.
 

OzarkLion

Senior
Oct 11, 2021
126
424
63
I think Cael's post match interview was dead on. They (ref's) seem to count shots vs true stalling which is not trying to score.. or something like that. This ref did that imo. Couldn't look at him the same after the 1st match.... We all have talked about being on your knees... but on your knees AND going backwards...AND not trying to get off of the OB line...
Fair enough, but I'll take that over a guy that swallows his whistle until the last 0:30 like it seems the majority do anymore.
 
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BaccaFarmer

Senior
Aug 20, 2018
202
519
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To think Rocco is the same wrestler who kept almost all his matches close his freshman year is just amazing. He looks like a totally different wrestler.
He’s rounding into top shape and mental attitude. I never thought he would be the FAVORITE to win a Natty …. until now. His confidence is high and all his opponents can see what’s coming in Cleveland.
 

Dren007

Senior
Feb 19, 2012
204
402
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Assassin has been around for a long time - essentially a modified head lock (a head and shoulder lock - upward arm over head and lower arm under near armpit).... you lift and step over.... then walk it through. You don't see it that often in HS because it requires good length and very good power/strength relative to opponent (you're kind of out of riding position as you set the move up as you're not on top of the bottom wrestler - you're way high and off to the side.... so if the bottom man has a power advantage, they can easily escape before you can step over).

Anyway, I believe it was Ben Askren that really popularized the move in the early 2000s and used it often throughout his Folk and Freestyle career.
It didn't exist until 2011
 
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CTStall

Senior
Oct 24, 2020
285
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I just watched the post match press conference. Cael's comment on stalling is dead on. I have said for years the refs dictate the match if someone is being passive on his feet.
2 things refs can do to make sport better.
A.Call the stall early in match.
B. Stop the over aggressive hand fighting.
 
Jun 26, 2025
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You almost never see the assassin it in HS, because it's illegal in HS. If you do see it, and the whistle is not blown, then the ref screwed up, and missed the fact that the offensive wrestler was using an assassin. The ref has the option in HS of stopping the action when the assassin is employed for potentially dangerous, or if they feel the move is intentional or used to punish the opponent, then they can stop the action and award a point to the defensive wrestler for an illegal move by the offensive wrestler.

Wouldn't know - wrestled my last hs match in 1979. Is the "modified assassin" illegal (i.e., higher arm going over head with back of neck essentially in Offensive Wrestler's armpit and lower arm under defensive wrestler's near armpit so lock is across chest, not neck)? Un-modified genuine assassin would be illegal in all levels of Folk including NCAA as it is a true headlock where Offensive Wrestler's higher arm wraps around head and across throat, not chest and captures Defensive Wrestler's near upper arm closr to the armpit before lifting and stepping over. Modified Assassin is much less dangerous as the lock is across the chest before lifting and stepping over - not across throat.
 
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Psalm 1 guy

All-Conference
Nov 3, 2019
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Oh you had me concerned because then I couldn't trust any of my data from Cael to TnT, John Smith or gable 🤣. Phew.

Well ...Idk what to say. I also ran those numbers and that's not what I got haha. Hmm I'll double check in a day or two. I do have the 90-91 Hawkeyes at 33.9 so we agree there..
Regarding the 33.9 number, I just rounded mine up to 40.0 from 33.96. I added the 33.96 number in brackets in my original post for clarification. Thanks again for catching my error. I was posting at almost 0300 my time and my brain was turning to mush!
 
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Misalorales

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Regarding the 33.9 number, I just rounded mine up to 40.0 from 33.96. I added the 33.96 number in brackets in my original post for clarification. Thanks again for catching my error. I was posting at almost 0300 my time and my brain was turning to mush!
No problems. I always invite others to correct me as well. At the end of the day, we just very likely witnessed the single most dominate dual meet season in collegiate wrestling history. Especially when you consider that Iowa wrestled Drake,Loras and Marquette that season and really padded their stats.
 

Misalorales

All-Conference
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In some way I think the close call against Fishback is gonna pay dividends.
Rocco seems like a starrocci type in a sense where he builds on those tight victories and each time it gets harder and harder for the opponent to pull out the w in a tight match. Rocco went 4-2, sudden victory,sudden victory,sudden victory, 0-2 to take 2nd in 2024. Add to that the Ferrari victory, the fishcomeback and it seems the guy just has yuuuge brass balls.