Match Thread: Rutgers vs. Illinois

[Lex Knapp]

Rutgers wrestling is back at the Jersey Mike's Arena for some more Big Ten action! The Scarlet Knights are set to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in just a few minutes. TKR is here to give you match-by-match updates once things get under way.

For those of you did not see it earlier, Jackson Turley announced he will be having season ending surgery. Meaning, Connor O'neill will start at 174-lbs for Rutgers tonight, and most likely, for the rest of the season. Prior to the Turley announcement, I had Rutgers winning this one 19 - 13, but with Turley out, this will make things a bit tougher for Rutgers.

First whistle is coming shortly, so stay tuned for TKR's live updates. For those of you at home, you can watch the dual on BTN+

 

[Lex Knapp]

Alright, it's show time!

Wrestling will begin at 125-lbs, where Dylan Shawver will take on Justin Cardani in a HUGE toss up bout to kick things off

 

[MS-RU]

Great way to finish the 1st by Shawver! Nice slide by and finished on top.

 

[Lex Knapp]

Shawver pushing the pace here, and gets Cardani warned for stalling. Shawver then gets to a collar tie to shrug Cardani by for the takedown. Period ends not long after. Shawever leads 2 - 0.

Shawver starts the second period on bottom

 

[Lex Knapp]

Shawver with a smooth gramby roll off a Cardani mat return to get an escape. Period ends not long after, with Shawver holding a 3 - 0 lead going into the third.

Cardani chooses neutral, and holds over a minute of RT

 

[Lex Knapp]

Shawver manages to hold of Cardani for a 3 - 1 win. That is a BIG swing bout for Rutgers.

Rutgers leads 3 - 0

 

[MS-RU]

Great win by Shawver. Wrestled very smart holding the lead in the 3rd and picked up a big toss up win.

 

[Lex Knapp]

True freshman Joey Olivieri takes the mat for Rutgers at 133-lbs against Illinois' Lucas Byrd

 

[Lex Knapp]

Byrd runs the corner on Olivieri for the takedown

 

[Lex Knapp]

Byrd does a good job keeping Olivieri down with several mat returns. Period ends with Byrd on top, leading 2 - 0.

Olivieri starts the second period on defense

 

[Lex Knapp]

Olivieri able to escape after 50 seconds on bottom, making it 2-1, Byrd

 

[Lex Knapp]

Byrd gets the go-behind on a Olivieri shot, making it 4-1, Byrd

 

[MS-RU]

Byrd is really good. I forgot he finished 5th last year.

 

[Lex Knapp]

Byrd able to finish the period on top, holding a 4 - 1 lead.

Byrd chooses defense

 

[Lex Knapp]

Byrd gets a reversal on the edge. Don't know if I agree with that call.

Byrd leads 6 - 1

 

[Lex Knapp]

Olivieri escapes to make it 6 - 2

 

[Lex Knapp]

Byrd with another takedown to make it 8 - 2, then gets four back points off a turk. The period ends, and Byrd wins 13 - 2 with the RT point.

4 - 3 Illinois

 

[Lex Knapp]

Now wrestling at 141-lbs is Sebastian Rivera vs We Rachal

 

[MS-RU]

Oliveri fought hard but was completely outclassed by Byrd. Drops a 13-2 MD. No shame in that.

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rivera with the early take down to make it 2 - 0

 

[SCNJ]

Someone please tell me there’s a legitimate reason Duncan isn’t wrestling for Illinois

 

[Lex Knapp]

Someone please tell me there’s a legitimate reason Duncan isn’t wrestling for Illinois

Duncan has not wrestled yet this season

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rivera stands up Rachal to get back to work on his feet. Rivera leading 2-1

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rachal hit with a second stall call to make it 3-1, Rivera

 

[JimmyJack39]

Really wish we had Alvarez at 133. Killer

 

[MS-RU]

Rachael isn’t even trying wrestle right now

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rivera just bullies Rachal over for a takedown. Rachal was on ice skates for all three minutes.

Rivera leads 5-1, and he will start the second period on top

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rachal (FINALLY) hit for another stall, to make it 6-1 Rivera

 

[MS-RU]

This is complete ********. This kid should have been stalled out already. He isn’t doing anything. Embarrassing.

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rachal hit with his fourth stall, which makes it a two-point stall. Period ends with Rivera on top, leading 8 - 1. Rivera needs one more stall to get the DQ.

Riverea chooses neutral

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rivera gets the takedown and cuts Rachal. He follows it up with another takedown and cuts Rachal again. 12 - 3 Rivera with 1:25 left

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rivera with the takedown and cut to make it 14 - 4. Slide-by after that to make it 16 - 4 Rivera

 

[MS-RU]

These refs are awful and Rachal is absolutely pathetic.

the fact they called a stall on Rivera after this dude is running out of bounds and laying down when no one is touching up is one of the worst things I’ve ever seen.

 

[Clearscreen5]

Well this match is certainly a new one lol.

 

[SCNJ]

That stall on Rivera is the single most pathetic call I’ve ever seen in wrestling at any level

 

[Lex Knapp]

Rivera lets Rachal up to make it 16 - 5. Rivera scores immediately to make it 18 - 5. Rivera cuts Rachal to make it 18 - 6. Rachal shoots and Riverea scores again. Rivera is really frustrated here. The ref then calls a stall on Rivera!? Oh my goodness... Rivera gets the takedown on the edge for the technical fall. Good grief that was some poor officiating.

Rutgers leads 8 - 4

 

[Lex Knapp]

MVB up at 149 against Christian Kanzler

 

[SCNJ]

Takedowns we’re like 10-0 and he got a stall. Unreal

 

[Lex Knapp]

I am still mind blown by the Rivera match

 

[Clearscreen5]

I am still mind blown by the Rivera match

Never seen anything like that. Even DeSanto stalling against Delvecchio had a guy trying to wrestle at some point before stopping.