Brent Metcalf's arms wrapped around Frank Molinaro's back in a double underhook hold. Within seconds, the referee blew the whistle.
From the hold, Metcalf tripped up Molinaro's feet, brought him to the ground and immediately pinned the Nittany Lion 149-pounder on Jan. 29.
The Iowa crowd roared as the two wrestlers quickly shook hands at the mat's center. Metcalf jogged off -- his work complete -- while Molinaro walked with his head down to the Penn State bench.
Despite Metcalf leading 12-4 before the pin and holding a 29-0 record this season, the 2008 national champion doesn't intimidate Molinaro. With the Big Ten championship this weekend and a possible rematch with Metcalf looming, Molinaro intends to do things differently if he gets a second chance.
"People build up this image of Metcalf like he's some super wrestler," Molinaro said. "A lot of people get intimidated, and a lot of people are beat before they go out on the mat."
Molinaro said Metcalf, who did not return calls for comment, is not the unbeatable Cael Sanderson, Penn State's coach.
It's evidenced through Darrion Caldwell's win over the Iowa 149-pounder in the 2009 national championship final and Metcalf's slim two-point victory over Ohio State's No. 2 Lance Palmer on Feb. 19.
Molinaro feels he now has the ability to clear Metcalf's underhooks and said the key is not panicking when caught in that hold.
Though the final Big Ten seeds haven't been determined and Molinaro may not face Metcalf, the Lion 149-pounder would avoid wrestling the hand-tie battle and look to take advantage of the Hawkeye's unguarded legs if the match occurs.
Cameron Wade also sees the potential for a different outcome, partially because of his teammate's work ethic.
"Once you get to the Big Tens and NCAA tournament, anything can happen," Wade said. "I honestly believe that Frank could beat Metcalf."
Throughout the season, Penn State coach Cael Sanderson has repeatedly stressed the need for wrestlers to embody the right attitude.
Every wrestler should believe he will win every match. Besides Molinaro's change in underhook technique, the sophomore feels he has fully taken on Sanderson's attitude and is in his best shape this season.
Added to Molinaro's changes is the increased pressure of the Big Ten championship. The Barnegat, N.J., native believes the championship's significance will force him to compete at a higher level.
"The main difference of going into that match is attitude and confidence and knowing that I can beat him," Molinaro said.
"Not just wrestling him to wrestle him -- I'm wrestling him to beat him."
