Already down a point, Kruk probably should have been uneasy. But a look of confidence remained draped across the sophomore's countenance.

"I knew I'd be fine if he chose down," Kruk said. "I'm best on top, riding my guy."

Like many of his No. 11 Nittany Lion teammates have done to opponents recently, Kruk never allowed Kan to reach the neutral position and never gave up an escape point.

When the final buzzer sounded, Kruk had collected three near-fall points from a late spladle and amassed a 1:28 advantage in riding time. In collegiate wrestling, a bonus point is awarded to a wrestler who accumulates a one-minute riding time advantage.

Kruk's 7-4 victory proved vital in resuscitating his squad's hopes of winning the dual and senior co-captain Clint Musser later clinched the 20-19 Lion win with a major decision.

Kruk's win epitomizes Penn State's recent ability to hold opponents on the mat, racking up riding-time points in the process.

"Riding time is sometimes the single most important thing in a match," said freshman 133 pounder Nate Parker, who sat out Saturday's double dual meet with nagging shoulder and wrist injuries. "It can make or break you."

Penn State has gone 4-1 in its last five matches, losing only to No. 4 Iowa. In the loss, Iowa registered riding-time points in four matches, with Penn State only garnering bonus points in two bouts.

But in their four wins, the Lions have scored riding-time points in a whopping 22 bouts, racking up 22 extra points in those matches. In the same four dual wins, Penn State has surrendered riding-time points in only nine bouts.

Senior co-captain Glenn Pritzlaff, No. 2 in the country at 174 pounds, has been particularly dominant from top. Pritzlaff has held five straight opponents on the mat for more than a one-minute advantage. His riding-time advantage of 10:59 in those five matches represents nearly one-third of the total time he has spent on the mat.

"Riding time is a major factor in a lot of matches," Pritzlaff said. "I like getting the first takedown, holding the guy down for the rest of the period and taking a two-point lead into the second period. That two-point lead can be huge."

Both Parker and Pritzlaff also deemed riding time a critical factor in maintaining a mental edge over an opponent.

"If you're riding a guy hard and for a long time, you gain confidence," Parker said. "It can give you a mental edge that can win a match."

"Getting ridden takes a lot out of you, mentally and physically," Pritzlaff concurred. "Bottom's the worst place to be on the wrestling mat."

Pritzlaff, a returning All-American, has wrestled in 22 postseason matches, including nine NCAA Tournament bouts. He knows the importance of holding opponents down in March.

"Everything's important in the postseason," he said. "When you get to nationals, riding time's critical. It's critical to be able to hold a guy down and maybe pick up a point or two along the way."