The Buckeyes have garnered six league wins for the first time since 1992-93, also the same year they last beat the Wolverines – a 19-14 win in Columbus – prior to Sunday.
Redshirt-sophomore Reece Humphrey sealed the victory for Ohio State in the last match at 133 pounds. With the Buckeyes down 15-13, Humphrey just needed a decision for the team win. The Buckeye would enter the match facing Chris Diehl and he never trailed as he tallied the 7-2 triumph. Owning a 4-1 lead after the first period, Humphrey increased his margin to 6-2 following two periods, including a final takedown with 25 seconds left. There was no scoring in the third, but Humphrey tacked on an extra point for a riding time of 2 minutes.
Senior heavyweight J.D. Bergman continues to move up the Ohio State career wins list as he compiled his 121st Buckeye victory. He is now tied for eighth with former OSU assistant coach Ken Ramsey (1987-1992). In the eighth bout of the night, Bergman recorded a 9-2 decision over Chad Bleske to propel Ohio State into the lead (13-12) after trailing, 12-10.
Michigan regained the lead, 15-13, after the 125-pound bout when Michael Watts decisioned Buckeye freshman Nikko Triggas, 9-8. Triggas nearly rallied for the comeback after falling behind, 7-2, following the first period. However, a 2-point nearfall and a takedown by Triggas cut Watts' lead down to two in the second period when Watts scored just an escape. Watts then went up 9-6 thanks to an escape, but two additional stalling calls on him after an initial call in the second period awarded Triggas two points. However, Triggas was unable to tally the takedown for the win.
It was after the 125-pound bout Humphrey was called up for the victory.
Redshirt-junior J Jaggers (141) and sophomore Lance Palmer (149) gave the Buckeyes an early 7-0 edge with 3-2 and 10-2 wins, respectively. An escape with 51 seconds remaining in the match lifted Jaggers to his fifth-consecutive victory and 20th of the season. Just up 2-0 after the first period, Palmer cruised to a 7-1 lead following the second stanza and eventually solidified the win courtesy of another takedowns and a riding time of 3:34.
The Wolverines would go on to win the next three bouts at 157, 165 and 174 pounds to take a 9-7 advantage. Redshirt-junior Jason Johnstone dropped a 6-0 decision to Jeff Marsh before freshman Colt Sponseller lost the first match of his collegiate career to No. 3 Eric Tannenbaum, 10-4. Alex Picazo then suffered a 6-1 loss to fourth-ranked Steve Luke.
Redshirt-sophomore and third-ranked Mike Pucillo would end the losing drought for the Buckeyes at 184 pounds as he came away with a 6-5 decision over second-ranked Tyrel Todd.
Down 5-2, Todd evened the score in the third period with an escape and takedown with 1:13 remaining. However, an escape by Pucillo at the 1:06 mark pushed him into the lead and the eventual win.
It was not the first meeting between the second and third-ranked wrestlers in the nation. The two met in the finals of the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in December and Todd was able to pin Pucillo in 7:22 for the 184-pound title.
Freshman John Weakley would follow at 197 pounds and he dropped a close 3-1 decision to No. 14 Anthony Biondo.
Ohio State remains in Columbus for a non-conference matchup against No. 14 Edinboro at 7 p.m. Thursday. Seniors Bergman, T.J. Enright, Dominic Mehling, Picazo, Tommy Priestley and Nickolai Timbs will be honored prior to the match in their last home meet as Buckeyes.
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