Jan. 22, 2016
IOWA CITY, Iowa ââ'¬" Purdue's seventh-ranked Chad Welch posted a major decision Friday in a 39-4 loss to No. 2 Iowa inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The undefeated Hawkeyes moved to 12-0 and 6-0 in the Big Ten, while handing the No. 20 Boilermakers (7-3, 2-2 B1G) their third loss of the season.
Welch had strong first and third periods on his way to a 15-4 major decision over Burke Paddock at 165 pounds. Paddock came after the seventh-ranked Boilermaker from the first whistle, throwing him to his back on the far side of the mat as the two went out of bounds and causing Welch to take injury time.
Paddock took a neutral start out of the injury time and Welch jumped all over it. He hit the Hawkeye for a takedown and nearly pinned him, but earned a four-point nearfall.
Welch registered his second takedown after Paddock escaped to start the second period. Starting the third from bottom, the two-time NCAA qualifier extended his lead with a reversal with 1:25 left in the match and tilted Paddock for another four-count as time ticked away. Welch earned his final point thanks to 2:38 of riding time.
It was major decision No. 8 of the redshirt senior's season as he won his 22nd match. In winning his third straight via major decision, Welch, now 22-3, becomes the first Purdue grappler to win three straight by major decision since A.J. Kissel in November 2010.
The Boilermakers' road trip continues as they travel north to face No. 23 Minnesota on Sunday. Action from the Sports Pavilion is set to get underway at 2 p.m. ET.