Bulls Shocked by #24 Kent State 31-7

Desi Green and Nate Rock collect decisions

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo wrestling team dropped its Mid-American Conference match on Saturday night at Alumni Arena against the 24th ranked team in the nation, the Kent State Golden Flashes, 31-7. The Bulls were able to pick up wins from Desi Green and Nate Rock at 149 and 174, respectively.

Desi Green

The Bulls quickly found themselves down 12-0 to the Golden Flashes following a fall at 133, sandwiched by decisions at 125 and 141. Kevin Smith was unable to compete at his usual spot in the lineup at 133 due to an injury. Taylor Golba stepped in for Smith, facing the 16th ranked wrestler in the nation at 133, Danny Mitcheff, a physical wrestler.

At 149, the Bulls scored their first points of the night. Green dominated Kent State's Jeremy Depoy throughout the entire match. With the score 4-2 after one period, Green began to dominate with a near fall, two takedowns and escape for an 11-3 lead. Green would finish the match by adding on two more takedowns as well as gaining a riding point for a 16-5 major decision.

Nate Rock

In the 165-pound weight class, Ron Majerus wrestled Kent State's Obie Simpson. After two periods, the match remained scoreless with each wrestler fighting to score first. Majerus scored first with an escape to open the third period however, Simpson answered back with a takedown. Majerus would score an escape followed by a takedown by Simpson with eight seconds remaining in the match. Majerus was awarded riding points following the close match however, lost in a 4-3 decision.

The most grueling match came at 174 as Rock faced a familiar opponent in Kent State's Chris Estep. Rock and Estep wrestled in a 3-2 decision in favor of Estep at this year's Body Bar Invitational. Throughout three periods of action, each wrestled scored one point a piece in the form of an escape. The match remained tied following the first overtime. In the second overtime, Rock scored an escape for a 2-1 lead. Estep answered back with an escape in the third overtime. The match would be settled in the third overtime in the form of a tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, Rock shot into Estep, scoring a takedown for the 4-2 decision.

"Our young men train hard everyday and fight hard in every match. We are young and will continue to learn that every match is a tough fight", said head coach Jim Beichner.

In recognition of his dominant major decision, Green was named the US Army National Guard Gladiator of the Match.

The Bulls (9-7, MAC 1-3) will be in action twice at home next weekend against non-conference opponents. On Friday, February 13, the Bulls will take on #12 Edinboro with the action set to begin at 7 pm. On Sunday, February 15, the Bulls will face Hofstra with the first match set for 1 pm.

Kent State University 31, University at Buffalo 7
125: Nic Bedelyon (KSU) dec., Dan Bishop (UB), 6-3.
133: Danny Mitcheff (KSU) fall, Talor Golba (UB), 2:39.
141: Drew Lashaway (KSU) dec., Mark Lewandowski (UB), 6-1.
149: Desi Green (UB) maj. dec., Jeremy Depot (KSU), 16-5.
157: Ross Tice (KSU) dec., John-Martin Cannon (UB), 6-2.
165: Obie Simpson (KSU) dec., Ron Majerus (UB), 4-3.
174: Nate Rock (UB) tb, Chris Estep (KSU), 4-2.
184: Dustin Kilgore (KSU) maj. dec., Mickey Moran (UB), 11-1.
197: Eric Chine (KSU) dec., Jimmy Hamel (UB), 5-1.
285: Jermail Porter (KSU) fall, Brett Correll (UB), 1:31.