Sunday, February 2
East Lansing, Mich.
1 p.m.
Michigan State University
3
vs
32
Iowa
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Caffey Tallies Sixth-Straight Win, Spartans Fall to No. 1 Iowa
2/2/2020 5:03:00 PM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State's wrestling team fell to No. 1 Iowa, 32-3, on Sunday afternoon in front of 1,567 fans inside Jenison Field House for Senior Day.
Before the dual, seniors Ethan Curtin, Logan Griffin, Austin Hiles, Danny Kruse and Garrett Pepple, and their parents, were recognized for Spartan Senior Day.
Sophomore Cameron Caffey earned MSU's only points, with a thrilling, 3-2 decision at 184 pounds over Iowa's Abe Assad, ranked No. 6.
Thank you, Seniors! 👏 👊#SpartanStrong #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/IcACoyiqFj
— Spartan Wrestling (@wrestlingmsu) February 2, 2020
Sophomore Cameron Caffey earned MSU's only points, with a thrilling, 3-2 decision at 184 pounds over Iowa's Abe Assad, ranked No. 6.
The Spartans battled up and down the lineup with the No. 1-ranked Hawkeyes, losing by decisions in four of the first five duals. Iowa got on the board first with a fall from two-time NCAA Champion Spencer Lee over Griffin at 125 pounds 2:21 into the bout. Pepple scored an early takedown over Iowa's Paul Glynn at 133 pounds and took a 2-0 lead into the final frame. After an escape by Pepple pushed the lead to 3-0, Glynn finished the bout with a takedown and four back points in the final seconds for the 9-4 win.
"I thought our guys competed up and down the line," said MSU head coach Roger Chandler. "One of the things I told them after the dual was that they are the benchmark program in the country, and there's a reason. They wrestle hard, they wrestle through every position. After having a dual like this, you learn a lot of things individually. Our guys fought but in order to be an All-American or a National Champion or be at the NCAA Tournament, you have to fight through every single situation. That's where you give credit to Iowa, they don't let you breathe and they are on you all the time."
Redshirt juniors Matt Santos and Alex Hrisopoulos battled in their 141 and 149 bouts, respectively. Santos trailed 2-1 after one period to Carter Happel and gave up a takedown in the third period, falling 4-1, which gave the Hawkeyes a 12-0 advantage. Hrisopoulos took on No. 3 Pat Lugo at 149 pounds and hung with the senior for most of the dual. Lugo's two first period takedowns were took much for Hrisopoulos to come back from as he fell, 8-3.
It was a battle of two top 15 wrestlers in the 157-pound bout when No. 15 Jake Tucker took on No. 5 Kaleb Young. Tucker landed two escapes in the bout as Young came away with a 6-2 decision. Hiles stepped in at 165 pounds and competed for the Spartans in his final dual in the Green and White. His opponent, Jeremiah Moody, raced to a 6-1 lead after the opening stanza, before Hiles landed an escape and takedown in the second period to cut the lead to 8-5. Moody prevailed in a decision over Hiles, 9-2, giving the Hawkeyes a 18-0 lead.
Redshirt freshman Layne Malczewski fell by major decision to No. 2 Michael Kemerer at 174 pounds (13-3), leading up to the match of the day for the Spartans at 184 pounds. Caffey, who entered the match on a five-match win streak and 4-1 in the B1G, took on Iowa's Abe Assad, who ranks No. 6 with a 19-4 record. A takedown at the end of the first period was waved off for Caffey, but the redsdhirt sophomore answered with a takedown to take a 3-0 lead after an earlier escape in the period. Assad followed with an escape in the second period to get within two at 3-1, heading to the final period. Caffey once again showed his stellar defense, cutting off Assad's late shots to preserve his fourth ranked win in his last six matches, earning victory in all six.
"Cameron Caffey is wrestling with the believe that he can win every time he steps on the mat," said Chandler. "He's such a dynamic wrestler and is dangerous in every position. With the confidence he has right now, there is no doubt he is in the hunt to compete for a title. He's a very special kid in so many ways."
Cam Caffey is as 🔥 as anyone right now. The redshirt-sophomore just took out No. 8 Abe Assad and his @wrestlingmsu teammates are all about it. @FloWrestling pic.twitter.com/7RqkS4br0w
— Michigan St. on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) February 2, 2020
Iowa sealed the win with wins at 197 and 285 pounds. Redshirt junior Nick May hung around early with No. 7 Jacob Warner at 197 pounds, trailing just 5-1 after two periods. An escape by May in the third cut the lead to 5-2, before Warner finished with the 5-2 win. Undefeated and No. 3 ranked Tony Cassioppi landed an early takedown and never looked back, winning by major decision over Christian Rebottaro to give the Hawkeyes the 32-3 win.
Up Next
Michigan State hits the road for a pair of dual matches next weekend. The Spartans face off with Northwestern on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. before traveling to Madison to wake on the Badgers on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.
No. 1 Iowa 32, Michigan State 3
125 - No. 1 Spencer Lee (Iowa) fall over Logan Griffin (MSU), (2:21) - Iowa leads 6-0
133 - Paul Glynn (Iowa) dec. over Garrett Pepple (MSU), 9-4 - Iowa leads 9-0
141 - Carter Happel (Iowa) dec. over Matt Santos (MSU), 4-1 - Iowa leads 12-0
149 - No. 3 Pat Lugo (Iowa) dec. over Alex Hrisopoulos (MSU), 8-3 - Iowa leads 15-0
157 - No. 5 Kaleb Young (Iowa) dec. over No. 15 Jake Tucker (MSU), 6-2 - Iowa leads 18-0
165 - Jeremiah Moody (Iowa) dec. over Austin Hiles (MSU), 9-5 - Iowa leads 21-0
174 - No. 2 Michael Kemerer (Iowa) maj. dec. over Layne Malczewski (MSU), 13-3 - Iowa leads 25-0
184 - No. 15 Cameron Caffey dec. over No. 6 Abe Assad (Iowa), 3-2 - Iowa leads 25-3
197 - No. 7 Jacob Warner (Iowa) dec. over Nick May (MSU), 5-2 - Iowa leads 28-3
285 - No. 3 Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) maj. dec. over Christian Rebottaro (MSU), 10-0 - Iowa wins 32-3
Attendance: 1,567
Attendance: 1,567
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