STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Top-ranked 165 pounder Isaiah Martinez remained undefeated on the season with a 5-2 decision against No. 4 Vincenzo Joseph, as No. 2 Penn State defeated the Illini 34-7 at Rec Hall on Friday evening. The defeat snaps Illinois' six-match winning streak and drops their dual record to 8-3 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten.
"Isaiah [Martinez] looked solid but not spectacular, but Joseph is very good," said Head Coach Jim Heffernan. "He was active throughout, but didn't commit to enough. He gets everyone's best shot and keeps answering the bell."
Martinez (22-0) defeated his fifth top-10 opponent of the season, winning defeating Joseph by decision. The two-time NCAA champion led wire-to-wire against the Nittany Lion freshman, beginning with a takedown midway through the first period. Martinez extended his lead to 3-1 with a quick escape to start period two, but Joseph drew back within one with an escape to open the third period. Still leading 3-2 with 12 seconds left in the third period, Martinez won a scramble on the edge of the match, wrapping up Joseph's legs for a victory-sealing takedown.
Martinez has now won 35 consecutive matches after starting his career on a 54-match winning streak.
Illinois' only other victory came at 133 pounds where No. 6 Zane Richards (20-2) defeated George Carpenter by major decision, 19-7. The Illini senior totaled nine takedowns in the match, four in each of the first two periods to route the Penn State sophomore.
Richards' victory marks the 102nd of his career, passing former Illini Jesse Delgado for sole possession of 22nd place on Illinois' all-time list.
The Fighting Illini return to Huff Hall on Sunday, February 12 to conclude the regular season with a 3 p.m. dual against Indiana on Big Ten Network. Head Coach Jim Heffernan and staff will honor seniors Zane Richards and Zac Brunson prior to the match.
Illini Notes:
- Isaiah Martinez improves to 5-0 against top-10 opponents this season with the 5-2 win against Joseph. The Illini redshirt junior also has wins over No. 2 Logan Massa (Michigan), No. 3 Daniel Lewis (Missouri), No. 9 Chad Walsh (Rider) and No. 9 Anthony Valencia (Arizona State).
- Martinez has won 35 consecutive matches dating back to last season after beginning his career with a 54-match winning streak.
- Zane Richards recorded his 102nd career victory to pass former Illini Jesse Delgado for sole possession of 22nd place on Illinois' all-time list. Next on the list is Griff Powell with 103 wins.
#2 Penn State 34, #10 Illinois 7
125: #2 Nick Suriano (PSU) maj. dec. Travis Piotrowski (ILL), 17-6 PSU 4, ILL 0
133: #6 Zane Richards (ILL) maj. dec. George Carpenter (PSU), 19-7 PSU 4, ILL 4
141: #11 Jimmy Guilibon (PSU) maj. dec. Mousa Jodeh (ILL), 10-2 PSU 8, ILL 4
149: #1 Zain Retherford (PSU) fall #19 Eric Barone (ILL), 4:09 PSU 14, ILL 4
157: #1 Jason Nolf (PSU) tech fall #12 Kyle Langenderfer (ILL), 26-11 PSU 19, ILL 4
165: #1 Isaiah Martinez (ILL) dec. #4 Vincenzo Joseph (PSU), 5-2 PSU 19, ILL 7
174: #7 Mark Hall (PSU) tech fall #12 Zac Brunson (ILL), 17-1 PSU 24, ILL 7
184: #2 Bo Nickal (PSU) maj. dec. #12 Emery Parker (ILL), 18-5 PSU 28, ILL 7
197: #9 Matt McCutcheon (PSU) dec. Andre Lee (ILL), 3-1 PSU 31, ILL 7
HWT: #3 Nick Nevills (PSU) dec. #15 Brooks Black (ILL), 5-0 PSU 34, ILL 7
