Martinez is also a 3-time California state champion as a Lemoore High School wrestler. He was 19-0 on the season before running into Nolf in Saturday’s Big 10 match. Martinez was ranked No. 1 in the nation and Nolf the No. 3 wrestler.

“I’m more focused on the loss than anything, because anytime you lose, it hurts obviously, but I felt him and I’ll be back. I feel good about the next time,” Martinez told the school’s newspaper, The Daily Illini.

The No.1 Nittany Lions would go on to rout Illinois, 30-15.

Nolf pinned Martinez in the second period.

Nolf, who came in with a perfect record on the season, started off the highly anticipated match with an early takedown to make the score 2-0.

Martinez followed up Nolf’s takedown with one of his own, while adding an escape, to make it 3-2 Martinez with 45 seconds left in the first period.

Nolf knotted the score at three after an escape at the end of the first period and appeared to gain momentum.

The Nittany Lion redshirt freshman controlled the second period, opening in the down position and earning another escape to make the score 4-3.

Nolf used a variety of quick moves to put Martinez in trouble and found himself hooking the leg and pinning the shoulders to the mat almost five minutes into the match to earn the win and improve his record to 24-0.

The No.1 Nittany Lions would go on to rout Illinois, 30-15.