It was far from the performance that University of Iowa head coach Tom Brands was hoping for, but the second ranked Hawkeyes remained undefeated on the season with a 21-11 victory over top ten opponent the Nebraska Corn Huskers. It has been a long time since the Hawkeyes won a dual without at least one bonus victory, but they were however able to win seven of ten matches.
Thomas Gilman led things off for the Hawkeyes at 125 pounds and he delivered a 11-4 decision to push his record to 17-0 on the season. Nebraska’s Tim Lambert has given Gilman a number of tough matches through their careers, and this meeting would be no different. Lambert picked up a first period takedown on Gilman, but from there Gilman was able to take control and added three takedowns on the way to his win.
Next Cory Clark was able to squeak a 2-0 victory against Eric Montoya at 133 pounds to extend Iowa’s lead to 6-0. Clark’s score came off a third period escape and rode Montoya the entire second period.
Nebraska was able to get on the board at 141 pounds when #20 Anthony Abidin scored a 7-6 win over Topher Carton. Abidin scored a first period takedown and added two nearfall to take a 4-0 match lead. Carton was able to hit a late first period reversal to cut the lead to 4-2. After two escapes from Abidin, Carton was able to score two additional takedowns, but was unable to score one more in the third to get the win.
At 157 Edwin Cooper Jr was able to get off to a nice start against the #17 ranked Tyler Berger, when he hit a quick takedown and added two near fall points for an early 4-0 lead. Berger would then put together a strong comeback, but Cooper was able to escape with less than 30 seconds to win the bout 7-6, giving Iowa a 12-3 lead.
Following the 157 pound match, Nebraska was deducted a team point, for unsportsmanlike conduct making the score 12-2.
Patrick Rhoads received the nod at 165 and fell 2-0 to Nebraska’s #14 ranked Austin Wilson.
At 174 pounds Alex Meyer faced off with Micah Barnes, and after a scoreless first period both wrestlers were hit with a stalling call. Meyer was able to get a second period escape and third period riding time point to come out on top 2-0.
The 184 pound match held a lot of promise with Sammy Brooks taking on #11 TJ Dudley. Brooks was able to make a couple early attempts on Dudley, until Dudley was able to lock up a cradle and pin Brooks for a first period fall. The Dudley win closed the score to a 15-11 lead for Iowa.
Entering today’s competition Burak had won three consecutive matches by bonus, and had scored 68 points in his last four matches. Today would be a different story however, with Burak ending the first period scoreless with Aaron Studebaker. In the second period Burak was able to pick up an escape and a double leg takedown to go up 3-0. Burak gave up an escape in the second and third periods, but fended off a late takedown attempt to win 4-2.
Heavyweight Sam Stoll was able to close things out with a 6-2 victory over Collin Jensen, pushing the final to 21-11. Stoll was very aggressive in his match picking up two stall points, a takedown, and reversal as his scores.
Iowa will return to their home mat next Friday, when the Minnesota Gophers come into town for a dual that will be featured on BTN.
125: Thomas Gilman (IA) decision Tim Lambert (NE) 11-4, 3-0
133: Cory Clark (IA) decision Eric Montoya (NE) 2-0, 6-0
141: Anthony Abidin (NE) decision Topher Carton (IA) 7-6, 6-3
149: Brandon Sorensen (IA) decision Jake Sueflohn (NE) 6-5, 9-3
157: Edwin Cooper Jr (IA) decision Tyler Berger (NE) 7-6, 12-2*
165: Austin Wilson (NE) decision Patrick Rhoads (IA) 2-0, 12-5
174: Alex Meyer (IA) decision Micah Barnes (NE) 2-0, 15-5
184: TJ Dudley (NE) pin Sammy Brooks (IA), 15-11
197: Nathan Burak (IA) decision Aaron Studebaker (NE) 4-2, 18-11
285: Sam Stoll (IA) decision Collin Jensen (NE) 6-2, 21-11
*Nebraska deducted a team point following 157
[…] a slow 2-0 win over Eric Montoya last week, Clark was able to match Gilman with a fall of his own, pinning Sam […]