Top-ranked Iowa claims share of Big Ten dual crown Hawkeyes top No. 5 Penn State, 18-12

The University of Iowa earned a share of the Big Ten Conference regular-season crown, but they had to pass a tough test to achieve it.

The top-ranked Hawkeyes received a decision from heavyweight Bobby Telford, securing an 18-12 victory over No. 5 Penn State in front of 15,967 fans Sunday at Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa.

Iowa (13-0, 8-0 Big Ten) won six of 10 matches, clinching at least a share of the conference dual title for the seventh time in the last eight years under nine-year head coach Tom Brands. The Hawkeyes persevered the battle that included seven matches decided by three points or less.

Penn State (10-3, 6-3) won two matches with last second-takedowns at 133 and 165 and managed a rideout for another victory.

'I think we got beat in a lot of strategy,” Brands said. 'I think we gave up points at the end of periods and then didn't come off the bottom.”

Brands noted that Iowa has made strides from earlier this season, correcting performances with slow starts, and will continue to make strides as they head to the postseason.

'When you're a championship team you make progress and you keep making progress, but you don't regress or you can feel when somebody has one eye on the clock and try to hoodwink you a little bit. We can do a better job of being aware of those types of things.”

The Hawkeyes held a three-point lead, entering the final bout. Telford said he was unsettled when he came out to see the team score. He had heard the crowd while preparing and realize all that noise was not good for Iowa. He focused on his match and shutout Jimmy Lawson, 3-0.

'I have a full-time job at the University of Iowa at 285 pounds, beating anyone at 285 pounds in the country,” Telford said. 'That's my job and I'm going to go out and do my job to the best of my abilities.”

Telford said the Hawkeyes appeared dull and a fire needs ignited, but he isn't worried about the team or individuals. Iowa just needs to move forward, being able to lock up the conference dual crown with a win at home Friday over Michigan.

'This is the time of year the stage is big, the stakes are high, so you have to come out and wrestle,” Telford said. 'It's that time of year when the boys become men and the men become boys, and we don't have any boys on our team. It's that time of year to get tough.”

The Hawkeyes jumped to a 12-3 lead midway through the dual, receiving decisions from Thomas Gilman (125), Josh Dziewa (141), Brandon Sorensen (149) and 157-pounder Mike Kelly.

The Nittany Lions pulled within 12-9 with three matches left, receiving a 2-0 win by third-ranked Matt Brown over No. 2 Mike Evans. Brown scored a second-period escape and riding-time point to take the dual's top matchup.

Sam Brooks had Iowa's most decisive win, setting up Telford with his 7-1 victory over Matt McCutcheon at 184.