Buffalo Bulls Wrestling vs. #23 Ohio Bobcats recap: Bulls fall short to Bobcats 31-7

After getting their first MAC win under Coach Stutzman, the Buffalo Bulls Wrestling team put up a valiant effort against nationally ranked Ohio but fell short 31-7.

The match started at heavyweight where Jake Gunning earned his 13th victory of the season with a 3-1 decision over the Bobcats's Jesse Webb. Webb was ranked 4th in the MAC just behind Gunning in the latest coaches poll so it was a solid victory for the redshirt-freshman stud.

Kyle Akins couldn't continue Gunning's momentum, however, as he fell 6-4 to Shakur Laney. Laney was able to take Akins down twice and built a 5-2 lead heading into the final stanza. Akins earned a takedown at the buzzer to bring the score to 5-4 but it was too-little-too-late and the Bobcats evened the match at 3.

Bryan Lantry started off strong with a takedown and cradle of #15 Cameron Kelly, but he ultimately got his hips out of position and the more experienced Kelly planted Lantry on his back for the pin early in the 1st period. Brandon Lapi wrestled an even match with Noah Forrider, but was got his escape point to tie the match too late as Forrider locked in the riding time point and won 2-1.

Colt Cotten stopped the bleeding for UB as he lived up to his nickname 'Major' once again. In a match that was stopped several times due to his opponent bleeding, Cotten dominated from start to finish. He used a 1st period takedown to take an early 2-0 lead and then racked up 3 more takedowns en route to a 10-2 major decision victory.

Tim Schaefer fell to Spartak Chino in the first bout after halftime, 9-4 just before Austin Reese pinned Tyler Rill to give the Bobcats a commanding 21-7 lead.

Muhamed McBryde couldn't take advantage of a first period takedown against #11 Cody Walters and fell 5-2 in a valiant effort. McBryde had a near reversal in the waning moments to potentially tie the match but was unable to gain control of his nationally ranked opponent.

Much like Brandon Lapi, Joe Ariola fell victim to a riding time point in a fairly controversial match. The referee called Ariola out after Ariola was clearly away from his opponent and didn't escape until late in the period after Romanchik had racked up a sizeable amount of riding time. Ariloa had a near takedown at the edge of the mat late, but was also called out of bounds. James Benjamin ended the match with a x loss to Ohio's #13 Phil Wellington.

It was a disappointing outing, to be sure, especially after the win against Old Dominion. It won't get any easier from here as the Bulls take on Central Michigan next Sunday in their final away match. CMU is arguably the 2nd best team in the MAC behind only Missouri.

Full Results - Buffalo 7, Ohio 31

125: Shakur Laney (Ohio) dec. Kyle Akins (Buffalo), 6-4

133: #15 Cameron Kelly (Ohio) pinned Bryan Lantry (Buffalo)

141: Noah Forrider (Ohio) dec. Brandon Lapi (Buffalo), 2-1

149: Colt Cotten (Buffalo) maj. dec. Zach Wilson (Ohio), 10-2

157: Spartak Chino (Ohio) x Tim Schaefer (Buffalo), 9-4

165: Austin Reese (Ohio) pinned Tyler Rill (Buffalo)

174: #11 Cody Walters dec. Muhamed McBryde, 5-2

184: Andrew Romanchik (Ohio) dec. Joe Ariola (Buffalo), 2-1

197: #13 Phil Wellington (Ohio) maj. dec. James Benjamin (Buffalo), 12-4

285: Jake Gunning (Buffalo) dec. Jesse Webb (Ohio), 3-1