Notes & Quotes: Michigan 26, Kent State 14
12/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
N O T E S
With the Wolverines' victory, they improved their all-time series record against Kent State to 3-0. Before tonight, the two programs hadn't faced each other in 23 years.
Michigan also improved its record to 83-27-5 inside the confines of its primary home facility. The Wolverines are 67-15-3 all-time in their first home dual meet of the season and 15-4 in home openers at Cliff Keen Arena.
Michigan's five bonus wins are the most since the 2006 National Duals when the Wolverines defeated Cornell 32-10 with a fall, a technical fall, two major decisions and a forfeit at heavyweight.
Fifth-year senior captain Eric Tannenbaum has won 19 consecutive dual-meet competitions. His last loss came two seasons ago in final weekend of the 2005-06 season against Minnesota's top-ranked Dustin Schlatter. He has not lost a single dual match since moving to 165 pounds.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Joe McFarland
On tonight's dual meet... "I was a little concerned about a letdown after such a strong performance last weekend in Las Vegas. On Monday, we talked about that and emphasized to these guys that we needed to be focused on this dual meet -- our first at home this season and our last before the holiday break. I thought these guys did a good job of doing that. This is a tough time of the year and it would be easy for them to get distracted with a lot of schoolwork on their plates, finals coming up, staying up late, etc. We're coming off a tough, long road trip, and I really liked how these guys responded.
On the important of bonus wins in the outcome... "We talked about how important bonus points would be in this match. The guys stayed on top of it, and they were looking to get those major and those tech falls. It's always nice to get a couple young guys, like [Anthony] Biondo and [Kellen], who are stepping in and winning a lot of matches for us right away. I was concerned a little this week coming into this match. So, this was a good start for us."
On Michigan's true freshmen in the lineup... "Kellen [Russell] really controlled that match. He scrambled out of a number of different positions; he just has a great feel for wrestling. He's just going to continue to get better and better as the season goes on. We had another young guy [Jason Lara], who didn't have the kind of start that he wanted and he's capable of. But he's a fighter, and we'll see him looking a lot better the next time he hits the mat."
U-M Senior/Junior Steve Luke
On his match... "I just tried to stay solid on my feet. I never felt in danger of getting taken down. My offense wasn't that great, but I still got a few shots working. I need to hand fight a little more. I haven't been feeling that great, so I just wanted to stay solid and not give stuff up."
On the dual... "People don't necessarily think of Kent State as a top-caliber team, but they have really good guys. So, we knew we had to stay focused and get the big wins and the close wins, because they have a number of solid guys. We had a few guys step up, like [Anthony] Biondo, who really wrestled well. Kellen [Russell], coming off his big win in Vegas, I was hoping he wouldn't have a let down because the kid he wrestled is really tough. Kellen just stayed tough and worked through all the positions. This win was important for our confidence going into break. I think we have a lot of things going for us right now; we just need to say focused."
U-M Sophomore/Freshman Anthony Biondo
On trying a little of everything in his match... "I felt like I was just making stuff up in that match, but I just try to have fun out there and lay it all out. It was a good first home dual meet. I feel really good going into this break. There are still a number of things to work on, but, for the most part, I felt pretty good in that match. I was trying to go for the fall. I had those two cradles locked up pretty well. But once we got to the third period, I just started to open it up and trying to tilt him. That last tilt to tech him, I kind of made up, but it worked."
On Michigan's bonus wins... "It was really important, especially with a guy like Tyrel [Todd] out. He's usually a definite win. Every match, I go out with the mindset to get the fall, because I really think I can against anybody. So, I think it's a big deal to get those bonus points, especially once we get into the Big Ten season, those bonus points are what's going to get it done."
On the Wolverines' upcoming holiday break... "I'm looking forward to the break, especially coming off of those two tough tournaments in a row. It should be nice to regroup and get ready for the Big Ten season."
U-M Freshman Kellen Russell
On his first-period scramble out of a deep shot... "I think that is demoralizing when you're that deep on a shot, and your opponent is able to scramble out of it. But that's how I like to wrestle; I like to scramble, and I think, in a scramble position, I can take anybody down. Once you have someone slip away when you get that close, it kind of drains you, and it makes you not really want to take another shot in the match because you know that may happen again. He was just dog tired after that, and I felt good -- I almost got taken down and just slipped out. So, I was still bouncing around. There are those moments in matches when you can tell that the other guy doesn't want to be out there anymore, and you really have to capitalize on that before he catches his second wind."
On his recent exposure to the national spotlight... "I still don't put that much pressure on myself because I am still only a freshman and still learning. I'm sure some people out there are a little skeptical of me. I just want to keep going out and proving myself in every match."
Players Mentioned
