Jan. 8, 2015
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Heavyweight Tyler Kral closed out the 19th-ranked Purdue wrestling home and Big Ten Conference opener with a decision, but the dual went to No. 1 Penn State 42-3 inside Holloway Gymnasium on Friday. The Nittany Lions remained undefeated at 7-0, while picking up their second Big Ten win. The loss moves the 19th-ranked Boilermakers' record to 5-2, 0-1 Big Ten.
Kral's takedown in the third period, along with 3:14 of riding time secured him a 7-4 decision over Jan Johnson. The takedown came after the redshirt junior escaped to start the third period, breaking a 3-3 tie.
"When we were tied, I knew I had the riding time, but that didn't stop me from moving forward and scoring," Kral said.
Kral held a 3-2 lead after the first three minutes of action thanks to an early takedown and an escape following a Johnson reversal.
"The coaches preach whoever scores first is going to win," Kral said. "They told me to go out there and hit my stuff. I took care of business."
The win is the first of his career in Big Ten dual action and he evens his season mark at 7-7.
Outside of the dual's final bout, Penn State claimed seven of its nine victories with bonus points. Luke Welch and Tanner Lynde were edged in decisions. At 133 pounds, No. 4 Jordan Conaway edged Welch 8-3. Nittany Lion Brian Brill broke a 7-7 tie midway through the third with an escape and a takedown to secure an 11-7 decision at 184.
Purdue will split a pair of duals next weekend. The Boilermakers will first wrestle at Michigan State on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. ET, and then return home to Holloway for a 1 p.m. dual against Maryland on Jan. 17.