No. 7 Buckeyes Set for Top 20 Matchup vs. No. 18 Pittsburgh Sunday

No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 18 Pittsburgh
Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 10/noon
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Venue: Covelli Center
Watch: The Big Ten Network
Follow Along: X/@wrestlingbucks | OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Ohio State Tickets: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Rosters: Ohio State | Pittsburgh
Match Notes: Ohio State/Lineups | Pittsburgh

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No.7 Ohio State (4-0) is back at the Covelli Center for a home dual vs. No. 18 Pittsburgh (5-1) Sunday after a successful trip out west last weekend for the 2023 Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas. The match vs. the Panthers starts at noon with the Big Ten Network providing the television broadcast to a national audience.

Jesse Mendez (141) helped the Buckeyes finished third at the 2023 Cliff Keen Invitational Dec. 1-2 by taking the title in his bracket with a 5-0 record. Nic Bouzakis (133) and Carson Kharchla (174) finished third to contribute to Ohio State's 122.5 points.
Mendez was named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week for his success in Las Vegas. The sophomore All-American has won the league award three times to date.
In addition to the 10 Buckeyes who traveled to Las Vegas, Ohio State also sent a contingent to The Storm Open, hosted by Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, Dec. 3. The Buckeyes were represented by Andre Gonzales (133/1st), Stephen O'Neil (157), Carter Chase (165/1st), T.J. Schierl (157/5th) and Gavin Bell (184/1st).
The Buckeyes have won 33-consecutive individual matches in building a 4-0 team record in dual competition this season. Ohio State won the final three bouts in the season-opening win at No. 3 Virginia Tech (24-12) and all 10 matches in wins at home vs. Edinboro (53-0), at Columbia (49-0) and at Hofstra (51-0).
Ohio State opened the dual season with a 24-12 road win at No. 3 Virginia Tech. Four first year performers earned wins for the Buckeyes over the Hokies with redshirt freshman Brendan McCrone upsetting No. 4 Eddie Ventresca at 125 by major decision, 11-3. True freshman Ryder Rogotzke got the pin at 184 while redshirt rookies Luke Geog (197) and heavyweight Nick Feldman both earned wins by decision. Jack-of-all-trades Isaac Wilcox upset No. 16 Connor Brady of the Hokies by decision 6-5 to help the Buckeyes win four of the last five bouts in the road win.
The Buckeyes followed with a home-opening win over Edinboro, 53-0, Nov. 12. Ohio State scored bonus points in nine matches and posted four victories by fall.
Four Buckeyes earned titles with seven individuals making it to the finals in their respective weight classes last Sunday at the 2023 Clarion Open. Ohio State sent 27 wrestlers to the event and won titles at 149 (Dylan D'Emilio), 157 (Paddy Gallagher), 174 (Rocco Welsh) and HWT (Nick Feldman). Jesse Mendez and Brandon Cannon made the finals at 141 but agreed to a no contest result. Isaac Wilcox took second at 165.
Welsh was named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Wednesday following his title at the Clarion Open in his home state of Pennsylvania. He went 5-0 in the event to win the 174-pound bracket. He won on a technical fall, a pin and three decisions on the day.
Tom Ryan now has 200 victories as head coach of the Buckeyes. He reached career win No. 300 (309) a year ago. Ohio State opened the home dual season with a 53-0 win over Edinboro for win No. 200 (200)-66/18 yrs. at OSU). Overall, in 30 years as a head coach, Ryan is 309-148-2.
Ohio State is 14-9 overall in the series with Pittsburgh with a 6-5 record in Columbus. The teams last met in Columbus, a 30-7 win for the Buckeyes (12/12/2021.

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