The Buckeyes are 1-1-0 overall and improve their record against the Big Red to 7-4-1 in the all-time series. Ohio State also is 40-28-0 all-time in road openers.
In a close match that had five lead changes, the final; l outcome was decided in the closing bout at 133 pounds between Buckeye and No. 18th-ranked T.J. Enright (Jr., Galloway, Ohio/Westland) and Cornell's Nick Bridge. With Ohio State down 17-15, Enright was able to pull out a 5-3 decision for the three points needed for the OSU win. Enright never trailed in the match, starting off the first period with a takedown to go up 2-0. Bridge scored an escape to cut the lead in half to end the opening period. Enright increased his lead to 3-1 after recording an escape for the only scoring in the second period. Entering the third and final period, Bridge scored an escape to bring the score to 3-2 in favor of Enright. However, Enright notched a takedown less than 20 seconds later to go up 5-2. Bridge ended the scoring with an escape with 54 seconds remaining.
Prior to the final bout between Enright and Bridge, a key turning point came when sophomore heavyweight Corey Morrison (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) dropped Zach Hammond in 3:57 to give the Buckeyes six points and a 15-13 lead with two matches remaining.
After freshman Will Livingston (Stillwater, N.J./Kittatinny Regional) lost to Mike Rodriguez, 8-0, at 125 pounds, the Big Red took a 17-15 lead to set up the final showdown between Enright and Bridge.
Buckeye J Jaggers (So., Northfield, Ohio/St. Peter Chanel) opened the scoring for Ohio State at 141 pounds when he recorded a 4-3 decision over Corey Manson. Trailing 3-2 after the second period, Jaggers recorded an escape to even the score at 3-all in the third period. With a riding time advantage of 1:39, Jaggers secured the 4-3 win to give OSU a 3-0 lead.
Cornell tied the score at 3-3 in the next bout at 149 pounds, which featured No. 19 Lance Palmer (Fr., Lakewood, Ohio/St. Edwards) for the Buckeyes and No. 13 Jordan Leen for the Big Red in a close match that went into a third overtime. With no scoring in the first and second periods, Palmer recorded a two-point nearfall a little more than midway through the third period. However, with 55 seconds remaining, Leen scored an escape to bring the score to 2-1 in Palmer's favor, but with a riding time advantage of 1:14, Leen evened the score at 2-2 to end regulation. It was not until the third overtime scoring resumed with Leen notching an escape with 25 seconds remaining in the bout.
Ohio State regained the lead in the next match-up between Jason Johnstone (So., Massillon, Ohio/Perry) and Drake Hovis. Johnstone scored an 8-2 decision to help the Buckeyes go up 6-3. After trailing 1-0 early in the second period, Johnstone answered with a 3-point nearfall, two takedowns and an escape before Hovis notched an escape of his own in the waning seconds of the match.
The Buckeyes dropped their next two bouts at 165 and 174 pounds. Chris Vondruska (5th Sr., Lakewood, Ohio/Hofstra) lost to No. 13 Steve Anceravage, 11-2, while No. 12 Blake Maurer (So, Evansville, Ind./Mater Dei) dropped a close 7-5 decision. With the losses, Ohio State trailed Cornell, 10-6.
Redshirt freshman and No. 13th-ranked Mike Pucillo (Cuyahoga, Ohio/Hofstra) helped cut the Big Red's lead to one at 10-9 when he defeated Luke Hogle, 11-4. Pucillo never trailed, as he ended the first period with a 4-1 advantage after scoring two takedowns. Following the second period, Pucillo increased his lead to 7-1 after recording a takedown and an escape. A takedown, escape and a riding time advantage of 2:45 at the end of the match gave Pucillo his second OSU career dual win.
Cornell increased its lead, 13-9, after No. 2-ranked Jerry Rinaldi defeated fifth-ranked J.D. Bergman (Jr., Oak Harbor, Ohio/Oak Harbor), 4-3. Even at 2-all after the second period, Rinaldi scored a reversal with just 15 second remaining in the match to go up 4-2. Bergman held the riding time advantage to bring the final outcome to 4-3 in favor of Rinaldi.
The Las Vegas Invitational and the Penn State Open is up next for the Buckeyes. Ohio State will travel to Primm, Nev., for the all day event Dec. 1-2, while some members of the squad will compete at the Penn State Open in State College, Pa., Dec. 3 for that all day tournament.
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