"Overall, we wrestled pretty well," said MSU head coach Tom Minkel. "We've made some progress and made some improvements. Our main issue is we have to create more pressure when we wrestle and stay on our opponent no matter what the score, and we did a better job of that today."
The dual started strong for the Spartans (1-4) at 125 pounds as seventh-ranked Franklin Gomez pinned Brad Gentzle in 2:44. After a slow start the first two minutes, Gomez scored a takedown in the third minute, then quickly brought Gentzle on his back for the pin with 16 seconds remaining in the first period. The pin was the second of the season for Gomez, who improved to 26-2 for the year and 5-0 in dual meets.
Top-ranked Nick Simmons defeated his eighth ranked wrestler of the year at 133 pounds, this time disposing of No. 11 Drew Headlee, 6-0. Simmons has now won 12 straight home dual-meet matches and remains undefeated on the season at 25-0.
No. 4 Andy Simmons was equally as dominant at 141 pounds, picking up a 15-3 major decision victory over true freshman Jimmy Conroy to give the Spartans a 13-0 lead in the dual. Simmons recorded five takedowns in winning his 107th career match, which is tied for 11th best in MSU history with Jim Mason.
"Andy felt better, looked better and wrestled better today," Minkel said, referring to Andy's absence from the lineup for nearly seven weeks.
Wrestling in his first career match at 149 pounds, Jeff Wimberley continued his impressive season, racking up his 19th victory with a 7-0 shutout of Joe Ciampoli. After starting the season at 133, then moving up to 141 for two duals, Wimberley looks to have found a home at 149 in the Spartan lineup with his strong showing against Pittsburgh. Wimberley is now 3-0 in duals this season.
"One thing Jeff will do for you is wrestle the whole match," said Minkel. "We said we had to get him in the lineup. He got the job done today and it's nice to have him back in the lineup."
The Spartans lost their first match of the afternoon at 157 pounds as No. 7 Matt Kocher topped Tony Greathouse, 8-4, but MSU took a 16-3 team lead into the break.
MSU got back on the winning track after the break in the 165-pound bout. Red-shirt freshman Rocky Cozart won his first career dual match, scoring a late takedown and near-fall points in the closing seconds of the third period for a 6-1 victory over Sean Richmond.
Pitt's highest ranked wrestler, No. 3 Keith Gavin, recorded an 11-2 major decision victory over John Murphy at 174 pounds for the Panthers' second win of the dual.
No. 8 Joe Williams secured the victory for Michigan State with a 9-1 major decision over Mike Heist in the 184-pound match. Williams, who improved to 20-6 for the season, jumped out to a 5-1 lead after two periods, and in the third, he added near-fall points and riding time.
At 197, red-shirt freshman Nick Palmieri appeared to secure his first career dual-match victory, but Eric Cassidy delivered a takedown in the final seconds of the third period to force overtime. Cassidy then scored the first takedown in the sudden-victory overtime to rally for the 5-3 comeback win.
In the heavyweight match, Pitt's Zach Sheaffer defeated Alan O'Donnell, 8-4.
Michigan State returns to action Friday, Jan. 26 to host No. 16 Illinois in the Big Ten opener. The match will begin at 7 p.m. in Jenison Field House.
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