Buckeyes’ early bonus barrage powers 26-16 win over Michigan
Ohio State used an opening cluster of bonus-point finishes at the Covelli Center to build a lead Michigan could not erase, finishing 26-16 in Columbus.
Ohio State beat Michigan 26-16 at the Covelli Center in Columbus on Feb. 1, the Buckeyes’ burst of bonus points early in the dual creating a lead the Wolverines could not overcome.
No. 4 Nic Bouzakis opened the dual with a pin at 125 to ignite the stretch. He was followed by No. 2 Ben Davino and No. 1 Jesse Mendez, who recorded 19-4 and 19-3 technical falls, respectively, and pushed Ohio State to a commanding early advantage.
Michigan countered with gritty work in the middleweights. No. 17 Lachlan McNeil posted a 15-3 major decision at 149, and Cameron Catrabone added a pin at 157 to pull the Wolverines back into contention.
Ohio State regained separation in the late middle weights. No. 5 Carson Kharchla edged Beau Mantanona 9-6 at 174 and No. 11 Luke Geog delivered an 11-3 major decision at 197, preserving the Buckeyes’ cushion through the final sequence.
The dual closed with a notable heavyweight upset: No. 5 Taye Ghadiali scored a 4-1 victory over No. 3 Nick Feldman in sudden victory, narrowing the final margin but not enough to overtake Ohio State.
In the end, the cluster of early bonus-point finishes — a pin and two technical falls — supplied the decisive margin for Ohio State, while Michigan’s late rally produced high-value wins that kept the dual competitive through the final bout.