Lincoln, Neb. – The No. 4 Nebraska wrestling team defeated No. 12 Minnesota 21-9 to earn its first conference victory of the season in front of 3,821 fans at the Devaney Center. The Huskers (5-2, 1-0 Big Ten) won eight of 10 bouts, while earning a bonus point victory, to hand the Gophers (7-2, 0-2 Big Ten) their second conference loss of the season.
Competition started at 125. #4 Patrick McKee of Minnesota scored first with a takedown in Period 1, but #10 Liam Cronin quickly responded with an escape. Cronin then tallied two takedowns in the second period and another takedown in Period 3 en route to the 11-6 decision.
At 133, Kyle Burwick made his Husker debut as he faced Minnesota’s #20 Aaron Nagao. Burwick scored a takedown in Period 1, but it was not enough as Nagao defeated Burwick in overtime, 4-2.
With the overall match tied 3-3, #5 Brock Hardy took the mat against #11 Jake Bergeland in the second ranked match of the evening. Hardy used a takedown in the opening period and a reversal and four near fall points in the second period to secure the 9-0 major decision.
Dayne Morton was up next for the Huskers at 149. Facing #14 Michael Blockus, Morton recorded an escape and takedown in Period 2 to lead 3-1. In the final two minutes, Morton tallied a reversal to grab the 5-4 decision.
At 157, #1 Peyton Robb wrestled #12 Brayton Lee. The two were scoreless after the first period before Robb scored an escape in Period 2. With the 1-0 lead, Robb started Period 3 on top, secured the riding time point and grabbed the 2-0 victory.
The Huskers were up 13-3 as Bubba Wilson faced #24 Andrew Sparks of Minnesota. Wilson scored an escape in the second period, but Sparks tallied two takedowns and an escape for the 6-1 decision .
At 174, #2 Mikey Labriola faced #15 Bailee O’Reilly. The two were scoreless after the first three minutes before Labriola tallied two takedowns and an escape to claim the 5-3 decision.
#10 Lenny Pinto was up next at 184 against #12 Isaiah Salazar. Pinto scored first with a takedown and two near fall points in the first period. Pinto led 4-1, but Salazar scored a pair of escapes, a takedown and a reversal to defeat Pinto, 7-6. The Huskers were also penalitized a team point, but still held the overall lead, 15-9.
At 197, #25 Silas Allred battled #27 Michial Foy in the seventh and final ranked bout of the night. Allred used a takedown in each of the final two periods to defeat Foy by decision, 6-4.
In the final match of the night, Cale Davidson met #25 Garrett Joles at 285. Davidson scored a takedown in each of the three periods to claim the 9-6 decision and the overall dual win for the Huskers, 21-9.
Up next, the Huskers travel to No. 2 Iowa (9-0, 2-0 Big Ten) for an 8 p.m. dual on Jan. 20. The meet will be televised on BTN.
#4 Nebraska 21, #12 Minnesota 9
125: #10 Liam Cronin (NEB) dec. #4 Patrick McKee (MINN), 11-6 (NEB 3, MINN 0)
133: #20 Aaron Nagao (MINN) dec. Kyle Burwick (NEB), 4-2 SV-1 (NEB 3, MINN 3)
141: #5 Brock Hardy (NEB) maj. dec. #11 Jake Bergeland (MINN), 9-0 (NEB 7, MINN 3)
149: Dayne Morton (NEB) dec. #14 Michael Blockhus (MINN), 5-4 (NEB 10, MINN 3)
157: #1 Peyton Robb (NEB) dec. #12 Brayton Lee (MINN), 2-0 (NEB 13, MINN 3)
165: #24 Andrew Sparks (MINN) dec. #29 Bubba Wilson (NEB), 6-1 (NEB 13, MINN 6)
174: #2 Mikey Labriola (NEB) dec. #15 Bailee O’Reilly (MINN), 5-3 (NEB 16, MINN 6)
184: #12 Isaiah Salazar (MINN) dec. #10 Lenny Pinto (NEB), 7-6 (NEB 15, MINN 9) (-1 team point)
197: #25 Silas Allred (NEB) dec. #27 Michial Foy (MINN), 6-4 (NEB 18, MINN 9)
285: Cale Davidson (NEB) dec. #25 Garrett Joles (MINN), 9-6 (NEB 21, MINN 9)
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