No. 24 Purdue Wrestling faced a tough challenge, losing 28-6 to No. 11 Illinois in their penultimate home dual. Despite the defeat, Purdue's Joey Blaze remained undefeated with a decisive victory over No. 8 Braeden Scoles at 165 lbs, while Greyson Clark secured a win at 141 lbs, showcasing their continued competitive performance. Blake Boarman almost upset top-ranked Lucas Byrd, narrowly losing by a single point in a tight match.

By the Numbers
  • Joey Blaze is 16-0 this season, with zero takedowns allowed since last year's national championship.
  • Greyson Clark has achieved a team-high total of 34 back points this season.
State of Play
  • Purdue's record stands at 9-5 overall, with a 2-4 Big Ten record.
  • Upcoming match on February 15 against No. 6 Iowa, featuring Senior Day for eight wrestlers.
What's Next

The Boilermakers will aim to regroup and leverage their home advantage in the final dual against Iowa, looking to build momentum heading into the postseason. A crucial matchup between Blaze and No. 3 Mikey Caliendo is also on the horizon.

Bottom Line

Despite the loss, Purdue wrestling continues to showcase talent through individual successes, particularly with Blaze and Clark. Their performances hint at a solid opportunity for redemption against Iowa, which could boost their confidence for upcoming tournaments.