Nebraska Wrestling Prepares for Epic Showdown Against Iowa Hawkeyes

January 10, 2024 – Lincoln, NE

This Friday night, the Devaney Center will be the stage for a high-octane wrestling duel as the No. 4 Nebraska wrestling team (5-0, 0-0 Big Ten) faces off against the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes in a top-five matchup. Wrestling fans across the nation will have their eyes glued to BTN, where Tim Johnson and Shane Sparks will provide live commentary for what promises to be an electrifying event.

The undefeated Iowa team enters this dual with a formidable lineup featuring six wrestlers ranked within the Top 15 in their respective weight classes. Key Hawkeyes to watch include No. 5 Drake Ayala (125), No. 7 Brody Teske (133), and No. 1 Real Woods (141).

The Huskers are not without their stars, boasting nine wrestlers ranked in the Top 30. The standout performers for Nebraska are No. 1 Ridge Lovett (149), No. 3 Peyton Robb (157), and Lenny Pinto (184), alongside No. 7 Caleb Smith (125) and Brock Hardy (141). This group has collectively recorded a 63-9 record this season and has been instrumental in securing 77 dual points for the Big Red.

This historic rivalry sees the two teams meet for the 35th time, with Iowa leading the series 26-7-1. Nebraska aims to break Iowa’s 14-match winning streak in this head-to-head, with their last victory dating back to January 14, 2006, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Nebraska comes into the dual following back-to-back victories over Wyoming and UNI last Saturday. A home crowd of 2,503 fans witnessed the Huskers’ impressive performances at the Devaney Center.

Looking ahead, the Huskers have a challenging schedule as they will travel to face Minnesota on January 19 before hosting Purdue on January 21.

Projected Lineups:

Nebraska’s lineup includes a mix of seasoned and emerging talents, with wrestlers like No. 7 Caleb Smith and No. 1 Ridge Lovett expected to make significant contributions. The lineup showcases Nebraska’s depth across weight classes, promising competitive bouts in every match.

Iowa’s lineup, equally formidable, presents a strong challenge with top wrestlers like No. 5 Drake Ayala and No. 1 Real Woods. Their performances in previous matches indicate that the Huskers will need to be at their absolute best to secure victories in these key matchups.

Key Matchups:

• 125 lbs: Drake Ayala (IOWA) vs. Caleb Smith (NEB) – A rematch from the 2022 Southern Scuffle where Ayala emerged victorious.
• 141 lbs: Real Woods (IOWA) vs. Brock Hardy (NEB) – Woods dominated last season’s encounters, but Hardy is looking for a turnaround.
• 157 lbs: Jared Franek (IOWA) vs. Peyton Robb (NEB) – A battle of the titans with a history of closely contested matches.

This Friday’s dual is not just a test of strength and skill but a testament to the enduring spirit of collegiate wrestling. As Nebraska and Iowa prepare to clash, the stage is set for a night of intense competition and unforgettable moments.

For tickets and more information, visit Huskers.com. Tune in to BTN at 6:30 pm to catch all the action live.

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