No. 16 Nebraska defeats No. 12 Minnesota, 21-9 in Lincoln

Peyton Robb (Nebraska) during Minnesota dual meet. Photo by Mark Lundy, LutteLens

Nebraska press release


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.

Minnesota press release, by Logan Sass


LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 12 University of Minnesota wrestling program dropped their second-straight road conference dual of the year on Friday night, as they fell to No. 16 Nebraska, 21-9.


With the dual starting at 125 pounds, the Cornhuskers would set the tone early by winning four of the first five matches to take a 13-3 lead at the break. Minnesota tried to claw back into it after the break, but a win at 197 pounds for Nebraska would seal the dual.


The Gophers’ lone win of the first half came at 133 pounds, where Aaron Nagao would spoil the season debut of Nebraska’s Kyle Burwick. After surrendering a takedown and over 2:30 of riding time early, the redshirt freshman battled back with a tough ride and a takedown in the third period before closing out the comeback with another score in sudden victory.


Coming out of halftime, it was Andrew Sparks who would put the Maroon & Gold back on the scoreboard at 165 pounds, as he put on an impressive performance against ranked foe Bubba Wilson. Sparks displayed forward pressure throughout the match with two takedowns en route to a 6-1 decision.


Minnesota’s final win came at 184 pounds in a wild, back-and-forth contest as Isaiah Salazar came out on top with a 7-6 victory. Trailing 6-4 with 21 seconds left, Salazar fired off the whistle to get a quick escape, then blasted a double leg on the edge to convert the takedown as time expired.


The Gophers will look to quickly shake off the loss, as they turn around for another dual on Sunday to play host to Michigan State in their conference home opener at 7:00 p.m. CST live on Big Ten Network.

#16 NEBRASKA 21, #12 MINNESOTA 9

January 13, 2023 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Devaney Center | Attendance: 3821

125: #10 Liam Cronin (NEB) dec. #4 Patrick McKee (MINN), 11-6

133: #20 Aaron Nagao (MINN) dec. Kyle Burwick (NEB), 4-2 SV1

141: #5 Brock Hardy (NEB) maj. dec. #11 Jake Bergeland (MINN), 9-0

149: Dayne Morton (NEB) dec. #14 Michael Blockhus (MINN), 5-4

157: #1 Peyton Robb (NEB) dec. #12 Brayton Lee (MINN), 2-0

165: #24 Andrew Sparks (MINN) dec. #29 Bubba Wilson (NEB), 6-1

174: #2 Mikey Labriola (NEB) dec. #15 Bailee O’Reilly (MINN), 5-3

184: #12 Isaiah Salazar (MINN) dec. #10 Lenny Pinto (NEB), 7-6

197: #25 Silas Allred (NEB) dec. #27 Michial Foy (MINN), 6-4

HWT: Cale Davidson (NEB) dec. #25 Garrett Joles (MINN), 9-6

Note: Nebraska was deducted a team point due for mat control