The No. 6 Nebraska wrestling team earned a hard-fought 20-12 dual win over No. 9 Minnesota Friday night in Minneapolis.
After a loss at 125 pounds, the Cornhuskers (9-3, 2-0 Big Ten) evened the dual as No. 9 Jacob Van Dee earned a tough 1-0 win at 133 pounds over Brandon Morvari. The Golden Gophers (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten) won back-to-back matches at 141 and 149 pounds, building a 9-3 lead. But the dual swung at 157 pounds. Trailing No. 19 Charlie Millard late in the third period, No. 5 Antrell Taylor took down Millard late in the period to take the lead, then converted to a pin to tie the dual at nine.
Taylor’s victory sparked a three-match Nebraska winning streak. No. 8 LJ Araujo followed at 165 pounds with a 9-2 decision over No. 11 Andrew Sparks. At 174 pounds, No. 6 Christopher Minto won by decision over No. 22 Ethan Riddle, 11-4, building the Huskers’ lead in the dual to 15-9. After an overtime loss by No. 9 Silas Allred to No. 3 Max McEnelly at 184 pounds, cutting NU’s lead to 15-12, Nebraska won the final two matches. At 197 pounds, No. 12 Camden McDanel won by decision over No. 24 Gavin Nelson, 7-2. No. 4 AJ Ferrari followed at heavyweight with a 2-1 won over No. 10 Koy Hopke to clinch the dual for the Huskers. Nebraska was penalized one point for unsportsmanlike conduct, bringing the final margin to eight.
The Huskers are next in action Friday night at John Cook Arena against perennial power Iowa. The dual starts at 8 p.m.
No. 6 Nebraska 20, No. 9 Minnesota 12
125: #9 Jore Volk dec. Alan Koehler 4-1 (NEB 0, MINN 3)
133: #9 Jacob Van Dee dec. Brandon Morvari 1-0 (NEB 3, MINN 3)
141: #10 Vance VomBaur dec. Jake Hockaday 7-2 (NEB 3, MINN 6)
149: #25 Drew Roberts dec. Nikade Zinkin 6-3 (NEB 3, MINN 9)
157: #5 Antrell Taylor pinned #19 Charlie Millard 7:00 (NEB 9, MINN 9)
165: #8 LJ Araujo dec. #11 Andrew Sparks 9-2 (NEB 12, MINN 9)
174: #6 Christopher Minto dec. #22 Ethan Riddle 11-4 (NEB 15, MINN 9)
184: #3 Max McEnelly dec. #9 Silas Allred SV-1, 4-1 (NEB 15, MINN 12)
197: #12 Camden McDanel dec. #24 Gavin Nelson 7-2 (NEB 18, MINN 12)
HWT: #4 AJ Ferrari dec. #10 Koy Hopke 2-1 (NEB 21, MINN 12)
*Unsportsmanlike Conduct: -1 Nebraska team point
Final Team Score: Nebraska 20, Minnesota 12