In a triangular scramble format, the Spartans rotated between two mats throughout the day against Kent State and Oklahoma. MSU, which ranks No. 29 in the latest team rankings, defeated the Sooners, 21-16, and followed with a dominating 36-6 win over the Golden Flashes.
"Today was a complete team effort and we kept competing on each and every mat until the end," said fourth year Head Coach Roger Chandler. "The guys were always looking for bonus points and we only gave up a bonus point in one match today. More than half of our victories today were bonus points and that's a testament to our guys looking to put points on the board."
MSU's win over Oklahoma is its first since Feb. 2, 2003 and the ninth time overall out of 48 meetings. Michigan State's win over No. 20 Oklahoma was the first over a top-25 team since 2013.
Redshirt junior Christian Rebottaro cemented MSU's 21-16 win over Oklahoma in the final match of the day. Tied at one in late in the third period with Josiah Jones and with MSU leading 18-16 in the meet, Rebottaro scored a takedown in the final seconds to win 3-1 at 285 points. MSU was docked a team point for failure to control mat after the bout at 174 pounds.
"We've been talking within our program about taking the next step forward," said Chandler. " Today was a big step in defeating a top-25 team and our guys are hungry and want to prove that they belong among the best teams in the country. Oklahoma is a traditionally nationally successful team every year, and our guys stepping up and going toe-to-toe with them is affirmation that they are doing the right things!"
The Spartans are 2-0 to start the season for the second-straight year. MSU had five falls in its victory over Kent State. Redshirt senior Logan Griffin earned two big wins for the Green and White at 125 pounds, a fall over Earl Blake of Kent State at 6:26 and a 11-2 major decision win over Oklahoma's Tommy Hoskins.
No. 17-ranked ranked Cameron Caffey, from Carbondale, Ill., sparked the Spartans with two pins at 184 pounds over Tyler Bates of Kent State 1:37 into the match and over Darrien Roberts of Oklahoma at the 4:57 mark.
Redshirt junior Drew Hughes joined Caffey with two falls on the day at 165 pounds. Hughes dominated OU's Jose Lao Cooper with a pin at 1:07 in the first period and followed with a fall at the 2:29 mark over KSU's Kade Byland.
Rebottaro improved to 2-0 with a fall at the 4:42 mark over Kent State's Spencer Berthold. The match of the day came at 141 pounds between MSU's Matt Santos and No. 2 Dom Demas of Oklahoma. Santos put up a fight with Demas as the two were tied at one after three periods. Demas recorded a takedown in sudden victory for the win.
"This is a great start to the 2019-20 season and I'm excited for our guys," said Chandler. "We have to use this momentum and get better for the Navy Classic next week."
MSU travels to Annapolis, Md. on Saturday, Nov. 23 for the Navy Classic. Air Force, American, Brown, Bucknell, Campbell, The Citadel, Cleveland State, Edinboro, George Mason, Kent State, Lock Haven, Michigan State, Navy, Ohio, Old Dominion, Oregon State, Rutgers and Virginia Tech are among the teams competing in the Navy Classic. All action will take place inside Navy's Wesley Brown Field House and will be live streamed through FloWrestling.
Michigan State 21, No. 20 Oklahoma 16
133: #13 Anthony Madrigal dec. Garrett Pepple, 4-0, OU leads 3-0
157: #17 Justin Thomas dec. #16 Jake Tucker, 6-2, OU leads 6-0
184: # 17 Cam Caffey wins by fall Darrien Roberts, (4:57), MSU-OU tied at 6
141: #2 Dom Demas dec. (SV-1) Matt Santos ,3-1, OU leads 9-6
165: Drew Hughes wins by fall Jose Lao Cooper, (1:07), MSU leads 12-9
197: #12 Jake Woodley major dec. Nick May, 12-3, OU leads 13-12
125: Logan Griffin major dec. Tommy Hoskins, 11-2, MSU leads 16-13
149: Jaden Enriquez dec. (SV-2) Jacob Butler ,3-1, MSU leads 19-13
174: #21 Anthony Mantanona dec. Layne Malczewski, 6-3, MSU leads 18-16*
285: #30 Christian Rebottaro dec. Josiah Jones, MSU wins 21-16
*1 point was subtracted from MSU following the bout at 174 (failure to control mat)
Michigan State 36, Kent State 6
165: Drew Hughes wins by fall Kade Byland, (2:29), MSU leads 6-0
141: Matt Santos dec. Cory Simpson, 3-2, MSU leads 9-0
197: Brenden McRill dec. Colin McCracken, 5-3, MSU leads 12-0
125: Logan Griffin wins by fall Earl Blake, (6:26), MSU leads 18-0
149: Alex Hrispoloulos dec. Kody Komara, 5-3, MSU leads 21-0
174: Andrew McNally dec. (SV-1) Layne Malczewski, 13-11, MSU leads 21-3
285: #30 Christian Rebottaro wins by fall Spencer Berthold, (4:42), MSU leads 27-3
133: Tim Rooney dec. Jake Spiess, 8-5, MSU leads 27-6
184: #17 Cam Caffey wins by fall Tyler Bates, (1:37), MSU leads 33-6
157: #16 Jake Tucker dec Brady Chrisman, 11-5, MSU wins 36-6
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