Just weeks ago, All-American Kurt Backes was struggling to stay off his back.

Sunday, the “Beast of the East” announced his return to national contention with a 10-2 major decision over Penn State’s top-ranked Eric Bradley. The upset built the Cyclones a 10-point lead with two matches left, and eighth-ranked Iowa State (11-5) held on for a spirited 20-18 dual victory in the Ames High School gym.

“That rarely ever happens, that’s huge,” said senior Nate Gallick, who claimed his 100th career victory in the dual. “For him, he has kind of had an up-and-down season. He’s back. He is my pick to win the national title, and he was at the start of the year.”

Backes missed time in November, then struggled at times during December and January. The ninth-ranked junior was pinned twice in that stretch by unranked wrestlers, but was impressive in victory.

He technically dismantled and wore out the No. 1 ranked Nittany Lion. Backes was awarded with a three-point near-fall in the final period, then Bradley was penalized twice for stalling.

“We just keep making shape a factor,” Backes said. “We’ve been working hard these past two, three weeks. We had a lot of confidence going into the match, knowing in the third period, if it is a close match, we would close it up.”

His roommate, 149-pounder Jason Knipp, had the other upset of the day, beating 11th ranked James Woodall, 6-4. He fell down, 0-3, in the second period before an escape and two takedowns in the third.

“When he drove him over that last period, I just felt tingles down my spine,” Backes said. “I’m real proud of him. He’s been working hard.”

Travis Paulson (165) recorded a second-period pin over PSU freshman David Erwin, and Trent Paulson (157) handled 14th ranked Nathan Galloway, 7-0.

Ninth-ranked Penn State (10-4) was coming off of a 21-12 victory over Iowa.

“The guys really stepped it up,” assistant coach Cael Sanderson said. “Kurt looked great, Jason Knipp looked great and beat a ranked wrestler and Travis got the big pin for us . up the line, they did a great job.

“Penn State, a Big 10 school, they have a great wrestling tradition.”

Gallick’s (26-0) 17-6 major decision over DeWitt Driscoll made him the 29th Cyclone to reach the 100-win milestone.

“It means a lot,” Gallick said. “It’s something I wanted this whole year.”

Iowa State has two home duals left before the start of the post-season. They host Missouri Sunday in Hilton.