Tar Heels Hit The Road For Top-15 Matchup

Sunday, November 7

Columbus, Ohio

1 PM

North Carolina

Ohio State

Buy Tickets

Kizhan Clarke
University of North Carolina Wrestling v Life University
Carmichael Arena
Chapel Hill, NC
Monday, November 1, 2021

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

November 5, 2021 | Wrestling

CHAPEL HILL - The No. 12 ranked North Carolina wrestling team (2-0 overall; 0-0 ACC) hits the road for the first time to take on No. 10 Ohio State in an early-season top-15 showdown. The match between the Tar Heels and Buckeyes will take place at 1 p.m. ET.

Dual Information
Opponent: No. 10 Ohio State (0-0; 0-0 Big Ten)
Date/Time: Nov. 7, 1 p.m.
Location: Covelli Center, Columbus, Ohio
Watch: Big Ten Network Plus

Looking Back
The Tar Heels notched a 29-6 victory over Life University before taking down Queen's University 48-0 later in the evening this past Monday. With the two wins, Coleman Scott collected his 62nd and 63rd dual win as a head coach. It would also mark the Tar Heel's third consecutive home opener win, and the team is 5-2 in home openers dating back to the 2014-15 season.

Numerous wrestlers shined in their first competition of the season. Defending national champion No. 2 Austin O'Connor started his campaign with a 12-4 major decision and a first-period pin to go 2-0 on the day. No. 5 Zach Sherman dominated his first 149-pound match with a 13-2 major decision, and he then followed that up with a 21-5 technical fall. No. 14 Kizhan Clarke looked impressive in his Tar Heel debut earning a 6-3 decision and a 20-3 technical fall at 141 pounds.

Scouting the Buckeyes
North Carolina and Ohio State have met 11 times in the programs' histories, with the Tar Heels holding a slight 6-5 advantage. The teams last faced each other in 2011 when Ohio State defeated UNC 36-6. The first meeting between the schools took place in 1964, with the Buckeyes winning 24-5.

Big Matchups
The highly anticipated top-15 matchup between North Carolina and Ohio State looks to showcase some intriguing matchups. There are 16 ranked wrestlers combined between the two teams.

Freshman Spencer Moore looks to lock up with three-time NCAA qualifier No. 15 Malik Heinselman at 125. At 149 No. 5 Zach Sherman will face NCAA Runner-up No. 1 Sammy Sasso. No. 22 Gavin Kane will have the real test of his career as he takes on No. 6 Ethan Smith. No. 33 Brandon Whitman will have a challenge at 285 as he looks to face All-American Tate Orndorff.

North Carolina Probables
125: Spencer Moore
133: No. 13 Jaime Hernandez
141: No. 14 Kizhan Clarke
149: No. 5 Zach Sherman
157: No. 2 Austin O'Connor, Michael Goldfeder
165: Sonny Santiago
174: No. 22 Gavin Kane, No. 17 Clay Lautt
184: Mark Chaid, Hunter Queen
197: No. 23 Max Shaw
285: No. 33 Brandon Whitman

Tune In
Fans can follow the Tar Heels matchup Sunday against Ohio State with @UNCWrestling on Twitter. The match will be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus.