Absent from its bouts at the PSU and VMI Invitationals, the boxing club sustained a fierce knockdown blow from a previously unknown opponent Saturday in Bream Gymnasium: humility.

Following an impressive 4-1 record at the VMI Invitational on Feb. 16, the boxers endured lackluster performances at Gettysburg, as only two out of 10 boxers scored victories.

"We got an old-fashioned butt-kicking," Coach Bill Wrable said. "(But) you can't knock people because it is a young team."

Kevin Cull, who dropped from 172 to 165 in preparation for regionals, lost his first collegiate bout of the year, a decision to Sean Gilece of VMI. Wrable attributed Cull's loss not to the change in weight class, but to Gilece's brawling style.

"Kevin got taken away from his game plan," Wrable said. "He brawled with him too much."

At 172, Jim Ustynoski slugged with Shawn Kyle for three full rounds before dropping a decision to the brawler from Gettysburg. In the closing seconds of the final round, Ustynoski had Kyle in trouble, going after his opponent relentlessly. However, Ustynoski couldn't quite beat the final bell.

"If that would have gone another 15 seconds, it might have been stopped," Wrable said. "He had that kid in big trouble."

In the most controversial bout of the evening, Walter Blake (127) lost a decision to Chris Cruze of VMI, despite Blake's control of the first two rounds. Blake said that following the fight, even spectators questioned the judges' decision.

"People I didn't even know came up to me and said, 'We know you won,' " Blake said. "I really thought I beat him. I think he knows it too."

At heavyweight, Seth Lyter outlasted Shippensburg's Bob Shreffler in scoring one of Penn State's two decisions of the day. Lyter said beating Shreffler to the punch was the key to overcoming his opponent's strong right hand.

"It stung me a couple of times, (but) I'd say I was probably quicker," Lyter said.

"It's always exciting when Seth fights," Wrable added. "They just slugged from the first round to the end."

Jon Wood (147) gave Penn State its second victory with a convincing win over Ed Van Duren of VMI. Despite the experience of Van Duren, Wood dominated his opponent, as the fight was stopped in the third round.

"Van Duren is a very awkward fighter and Jon took the challenge," Wrable said. "It was an opportunity for Jon to move up."

In other open bouts, Matt Marino lost a decision to VMI's Mike Martin at 180, while John Kostik (190) was stopped by Dennis Bundins, also of VMI, in the first round.

In novice competition, Penn State finished the day winless (0-3), as two bouts were stopped in the first round.

Neil Gorman (147) retired at the end of the first round of his bout with Gettysburg's Bill Newland due to breathing problems, while Eric Haugh (112) was stopped in the first round by his opponent, Lock Haven's Don Buckley.

In Penn State's only novice bout to go the distance, Jay Neville (147) lost a decision to Shippensburg's Jim Parncutt.

Despite the setback at Gettysburg, Wrable said there were some positive aspects in Saturday's loss.

"If there ever is a good time to lose, I'm glad it was before regionals," he said. "Practices are going to get a little more intense now. We're just going to find out who wants to get down to business."

With Central Connecticut the lone match before regionals, Wrable said conditioning and style will be stressed in upcoming practices.