Flashes Host Buffalo Sunday to Begin MAC Duals
12/12/2015 8:21:00 AM | Wrestling
Kent State (4-1) opens Mid-American Conference dual meet competition Sunday afternoon against Buffalo (5-2) inside the M.A.C. Center at 2 p.m. Off to their best start in dual meets in six years, the Golden Flashes enter Sunday with seven seniors in the lineup and high expectations.
Watch and Listen Live
Sunday's dual meet can be seen live and free on KentStateSports.com.
The Golden Flashes and Bulls can also be heard on Golden Flashes Radio on iHeartRadio with Matt Miller.
Dual Success
Since Head Coach Jim Andrassy's third season (2005-06), the Golden Flashes have gone 132-64-1 in dual meets and 41-14-1 in MAC dual meets. Since the 2010-11 season, the Flashes have gone 19-8 at home.
This season, Mack McGuire, Kyle Conel, Ian Miller, Mike DePalma and Cole Baxter are all undefeated in dual meets.
The Opponent
The Bulls won their first three duals of the season, which included a 19-13 victory over Maryland. Sophomore 149-pounder Colt Cotton and redshirt-freshman heavyweight Jake Gunning are both 5-2 in dual meets this season. Buffalo began its weekend with a decisive 30-6 victory over Gardner-Webb Friday.
History vs. Buffalo
Kent State holds a 24-7 all-times series lead against Buffalo and has won 11 straight against the Bulls. Last season, the Flashes opened MAC competition with a 30-10 victory over the Bulls at Alumni Arena. Ian Miller, Mike DePalma and Cole Baxter all recorded pins as Kent State won 7-of-10 bouts. The last time the teams met at the M.A.C. Center, the Golden Flashes won 9-of-10 matches in a 38-3 victory in December of 2013.
Kent State vs. Buffalo Projected Lineups
125: Del Vinas (5-5) vs. Kyle Akins (8-3)
133: No. 10 Mack McGuire (13-2) vs. Bryan Lantry (8-4)
141: Chance Driscoll (11-8) vs. Jason Estevez (1-2) or Brandon Lappi (8-5)
149: No. 13 Mike DePalma (13-2) vs. Colt Cotten (5-2)
157: No. 2 Ian Miller (11-0) vs. Tim Schaefer (3-4)
165: No. 32 Tyler Buckwalter (11-4) vs. Tyler Rill (5-2)
174: Mike Vollant (7-5) vs. Muhamed McBryde (4-2)
184: No. 25 Cole Baxter (12-3) vs. Joe Ariola (5-2)
197: Kyle Conel (9-5) vs. James Benjamin (8-6)
285: Stephen Suglio (8-10) vs. No. 26 Jake Gunning (8-3)
*WrestlingReport Rankings
Quick Shots
- After finishing eighth of 40 teams (13 Top 25 teams) at the Las Vegas Invitational, Kent State moved up to No. 17 in the InterMat Tournament Rankings.
- Ian Miller has won 157-pound titles at both the Navy Classic and Las Vegas Invitational. He was named MAC Wrestler of the Week on Nov. 25. He is No. 2 in every major poll. Â
- Miller recorded his 35th career pin at Navy, which ranks fourth among Kent State's career leaders. He also recently passed Nic Bedelyon for eighth place in career victories, now with 116.
- Following the Eastern Michigan Duals, Mike DePalma was named MAC Wrestler of the Week for a 3-0 day with a 4-3 upset of No. 4 Bryant Clagon of Rider.
- Mack McGuire upped his career win total to 96 at Las Vegas.
- Chance Driscoll, Kyle Conel and Stephen Suglio will all be looking for their first career MAC dual victory Sunday.Â
- A number of Golden Flashes will be competing in the Cleveland State Open Saturday.
- Kent State's seven straight years with at least one All-American is the 11th longest active streak in the nation.
Up Next
Defending Mid-American Conference champion Missouri comes to the M.A.C. Center Sunday, Dec. 20. The Tigers are ranked in the Top 10 in multiple polls.
