Nov. 18, 2011
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Notes & Quotes
Site: Buffalo, N.Y. (Alumni Arena)
Score: #6 Michigan 27, Buffalo 13
Records: U-M (1-0), Buffalo (0-5)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Nov. 19 -- at Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Pa.), 7 p.m.
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team claimed five of the final six matches to surge past Buffalo, 27-13, in its dual-meet debut on Friday evening (Nov. 18) at the Bulls' Alumni Arena. The Wolverines earned bonus points in four of six individual wins, including first-period falls from fifth-year senior Justin Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) and sophomore/freshman Max Huntley (Emerald Isle, N.C./Blair Academy).
Zeerip secured his first pin of the season quickly against the Bulls' Matt Dehney at 174 pounds, striking first on a single leg before using an arm bar to work Dehney to his back and end the bout at the 1:46 mark. The win improved Zeerip to 5-0 on the season.
While Zeerip put the Wolverines ahead for good, Huntley sealed their victory with a first-period pin in his collegiate dual debut at 197 pounds. Huntley scored immediately on a takedown and two-point near fall and after Heiserman came to his feet after a restart, the Wolverine rookie body locked him to his back, getting a five count and the subsequent pin at 2:25.
Junior/sophomore Brandon Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) and junior/sophomore Dan Yates (Hesperia, Mich./Hesperia HS) initiated Michigan's comeback with back-to-back decisions at 157 and 165 pounds, respectively. Zeerip defeated Wally Maziarz in the former bout, using a second-period high crotch and 2:04 riding time to propel him to a 4-0 win. Yates struck early against Mark Lewandowski, fighting for and getting a single leg on the edge in the first and securing a quick escape in the second to win 3-2.
Senior/junior Ben Apland (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South HS) capped the Wolverine with a 20-5 technical fall over Tyler Peter in the heavyweight match. Apland scored on seven takedowns, including five in the third period, as well as a second-period reversal and three back points. His 4:11 in riding-time advantage clinched the tech, the third of Apland's career.
Senior Zac Stevens (Monroe, Mich./Monroe HS) claimed Michigan's lone victory at the lowerweights, using a late takedown to seal an 11-2 major decision over Justin Farmer at 133 pounds. Stevens converted on four takedowns, including two in the first to build an early advantage. Needing a point to earn bonus, Stevens made good, scoring off a head-in-the-hole in the waning moments of the final period.
The Wolverines were without several projected starters, including fifth-year senior Kellen Russell (High Bridge, N.J./Blair Academy). All are expected to return to competition soon.
Michigan will wrap up its eastern road swing tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 19), heading to Pittsburgh, Pa., to face No. 11-ranked Pitt at 7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field House.
#6 Michigan 27, Buffalo 13
Individual rankings from InterMat
| Match |
Score |
| 125 -- Max Soria (UB) dec. Grant Pizzo, 8-3 |
UB, 3-0 |
| 133 -- #13 Zac Stevens (U-M) major dec. Justin Farmer, 11-2 |
U-M, 4-3 |
| 141 -- Kevin Smith (UB) major dec. Donnie Watkins, 11-3 |
UB, 7-3 |
| 149 -- Blake Roulo (UB) dec. Mike Hillock, 3-1 |
UB, 10-3 |
| 157 -- Brandon Zeerip (U-M) dec. Wally Maziarz, 4-0 |
UB, 10-7 |
| 165 -- Dan Yates (U-M) dec. Mark Lewandowski, 3-2 |
Tie, 10-10 |
| 174 -- #11 Justin Zeerip (U-M) pinned Matt Dehney, 1:46 |
U-M, 16-10 |
| 184 -- Jake Waste (UB) dec. Chris Heald, 4-2 |
U-M, 16-13 |
| 197 -- Max Huntley (U-M) pinned Justin Heiserman, 2:25 |
U-M, 22-13 |
| Hwt -- #13 Ben Apland (U-M) tech. fall Tyler Peter, 20-5 (7:00) |
U-M, 27-13 |
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
