Oklahoma State Wrestler Advances to NCAA Finals After Controversial Victory

Landon Robideau beats Penn State's PJ Duke in tiebreaker periods to reach championship match.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:20am

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Oklahoma State freshman Landon Robideau defeated Penn State's PJ Duke in a controversial match to advance to the NCAA Wrestling Finals. The match went to sudden victory and tiebreaker periods, with Duke appearing to lock up a winning cradle before officials waved it off. Robideau then scored a reversal in the tiebreaker to clinch the victory. He will now face Nebraska's Antrell Taylor, the reigning champion, in the finals.

Why it matters

This win for the underdog Robideau sets up an intriguing championship match against the defending titleholder Taylor. The controversial nature of the victory over Duke also raises questions about officiating and the role of video review in high-stakes college wrestling matches.

The details

Robideau and Duke were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, leading to sudden victory and tiebreaker periods. During the scramble, Duke appeared to have Robideau locked in a cradle for the winning takedown, but officials waved it off after review. Robideau then scored a reversal in the tiebreaker to clinch the victory and advance to the finals against Taylor, whom he lost to earlier this season.

  • The match took place on March 21, 2026 during the NCAA Wrestling Championships.
  • Robideau and Taylor will face off in the finals on March 22, 2026.

The players

Landon Robideau

A freshman wrestler for Oklahoma State University who upset Penn State's PJ Duke to reach the NCAA Wrestling Finals.

PJ Duke

A Penn State wrestler who was defeated by Robideau in a controversial match that went to tiebreaker periods.

Antrell Taylor

The reigning NCAA Wrestling champion from the University of Nebraska, who will face Robideau in the finals.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously we were wrestling and got in a position. He had a cradle. We do it all the time in practice, wave off takedowns. I was able to keep my foot on the outside, my arm on the outside, and wrestle through my position. Get to my base. They went and reviewed it, and no takedown.”

— Landon Robideau, Oklahoma State Wrestler

“Just get out fast. I remember early in the second period I got out right away, and his leg was close to my arm, and I hit a switch. I was able to catch the inside. I knew in the overtime match, reversals are big, and I can ride. I knew once I had the leg, to try to finish that and score two points.”

— Landon Robideau, Oklahoma State Wrestler

What’s next

Robideau will face Antrell Taylor, the defending NCAA Wrestling champion, in the finals on March 22, 2026.

The takeaway

This controversial victory for the underdog Robideau sets up an intriguing championship match against the reigning titleholder Taylor. The officiating and use of video review in the match against Duke will likely be a point of discussion leading up to the finals.