One had never wrestled a varsity match for Penn State. The other nearly left the team last Thursday.

But redshirt freshman Rob Neidlinger and fifth-year senior Rob Piper (4-7) won key matches as the Lions captured a come-from-behind 17-15 victory against Ohio State in front of 2,263 Rec Hall spectators on Saturday.

With three matches remaining and Penn State trailing 15-7, a Lion win looked improbable. One win was expected -- Penn State's Kerry McCoy, last year's NCAA heavyweight champion who entered the dual meet with a 65-match win streak, was favored heavily.

But one win would not be enough. Lion wins at both 177 and 190 pounds were also needed.

That is where Neidlinger and Piper entered the picture.

Neidlinger, a 177-pounder from Carlisle, was in an unfamiliar position -- he was wrestling. It was his first match in almost two years, since his days at Big Spring High School.

But he wrestled like a veteran. Tied 4-4 with Buckeye Mitch Clark, Neidlinger dominated the third stanza to win the exciting match, 9-5.

"That's a great performance in a tight situation in a first varsity match," Lion Coach John Fritz said.

No one could be happier than Neidlinger.

"It feels real good to be back wrestling," Neidlinger said.

The same can be said for Piper, who was almost forced to quit the wrestling team because of financial difficulties.

"He told me he was quitting," Fritz said of his Jan. 12 meeting with Piper. "I said, 'What are you talking about? You're the only 190-pounder we have.' "

But that situation was quickly rectified.

"All that worked out in a couple of days -- just in the nick of time," Piper said, referring to a loan he received Jan. 13 which allowed him to pay for expenses and continue to wrestle.

It happened with little time to spare for Penn State. Ohio State led 15-10 when Piper stepped on the mat to battle Nick Nutter. Piper wrestled Nutter last year, but lost a close match to the Buckeye.

"I figured I'd stay in his face and he'd eventually tire out and make a few stupid mistakes," Piper said.

This time, Piper won 4-2. McCoy then followed with a 21-5 pounding of Eric Odita to give Penn State a 17-15 win.

The improbable had happened.

"Piper did what he had to do," Fritz said. "He pushed himself hard. He has been in the (wrestling) room for five years working hard, doing everything we've ever asked him."

Last year, Piper was in a similar situation. With his team trailing North Carolina 18-10, Piper pinned his opponent, allowing McCoy to clinch the dual meet with his heavyweight victory. Penn State won a dramatic 19-18 contest.

"I feel kind of dja vu a little bit," Piper said.