Bad college football, like that place in Ypsilanti with the ashtray for a football field. It’s Short Time Shots. I’m Jason Bryant. 

Wilmington’s program hasn’t been back that long, but the Quakers picked up a competitive 27-26 criteria win over Muskingum in what was decided by the FOURTH criteria. Can you name the fourth criteria without looking it up? Most can’t, so don’t be down on yourself. It’s most near fall points. The teams were tied in wins at five, tied in six-point victories with three each and tied with match points at 33 apiece. So it was Wilmington’s 10 nearfall points to Muskingum’s seven that was the difference.

But when I wrote that first line, it got me digging. Coach Chris Basford is in his second year there and he started last season inheriting a roster of four guys. He ended with six. He’s got 20 now and trying to create some type of positive culture there. 

“This was a total team effort. It was a great win for our young program... the first in 6 years. It was priceless to see the faces of the guys getting their first college win to go along with a team win. They did a great job battling and picking each other up,” said Basford.

So when was Wilmington’s last official dual win? Best I can find using the internet and all its archives - January 5, 2010 … which was a 25-22 win over Baldwin Wallace, which, was NOT good then. 

Speaking of Baldwin Wallace, they blanked Heidelberg 51-0 and what was dubbed MUSTACHE MANIA! I don’t know what Mustache Mania was, but it didn’t really matter what it was for Baldwin Wallace as they had four techs and three falls among their bonus victories. The fastest fall came at 197 pounds from Carter Lloyd, who got the match-ender at 1:50. In case you’re wondering, Coach Gibbs’ Baldwin Wallace team came into the season ranked third.

Zac Stray’s major decision at heavyweight completed a large comeback by Otterbein as the Cardinals upended Mount Union 20-18. Otterbein was down 15-3 after four bouts and 15-6 halfway through the dual. North Central beat Carthage 44-3.

Saint Vincent’s return to competition after 50 years away from the sport came up short as Penn State-Behrend bested the Bearcats 26-17 in Latrobe. The first win in the program’s revived history came from 133-pounder Ryan Klingensmith out of Kiski Prep. Behrend's Matthew Caldwell’s tech fall at 197 sealed it for the Lions - yes, pretty much all of the Penn State branch campuses are Lions or Nittany Lions or Roaring Lions or Tea Sipping Lions or something.   

In Division II, Coker edged Emmanuel 21-20 in a Conference Carolinas dual, with Coker heavyweight Hamilton Cooper getting an 8-0 major decision at 285 pounds to give Coker the win. But the win actually didn’t come on the extra bonus point. Emmanuel was docked a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct, so instead of the major sending the match to criteria, Coker won outright. And here’s the gut-punching kicker - Emmanuel would have won on the third criteria, most match points, 48-47. Uffda. 

Also in the conference, Newberry beat Emory & Henry 51-6. The Wolves picked up five falls in the victory over the Wasps, who are transitioning from Division III to Division II. 

McKendree beat Kentucky Wesleyan 42-12. Quincy beat NAIA Missouri Baptist 32-20.

In the NAIA, St. Ambrose heavyweight Jeremiah Morris picked up a 6-3 win over Sam Fleming lifted the Bees past host Graceland 18-17. 

On the women’s side, North Central’s women also beat Carthage, coming away with a 38-3 win in CCIW action. Fastest fall of the night came at 130 pounds where two-time All-Ame...