UI Athletics news release
No. 3 Hawkeyes Rally to Defeat No. 7 Huskers, 19-16
IOWA CITY, Iowa – It came down to the final two bouts on Friday night as the University of Iowa men’s wrestling team defeated No. 7 Nebraska, 19-16, on Mediacom Mat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
A back-and-forth contest saw the Hawkeyes trailing 16-9 heading into the 197-pound bout.
Enter Stephen Buchanan. A pin from Buchanan and a major decision from Ben Kueter at the final two weights would prove the difference in the Hawkeye victory.
“We have to do a better job of scoring match points at all weights,” said head coach Tom Brands. “Buchanan, good job putting us in position with that fall and Kueter ending it well. It’s like an engine that is a 10- cylinders engine and its running on, pick your number, and we need it to be running on 10 cylinders.”
Iowa outscored the Huskers 55 to 51 in match points and had 10 takedowns to Nebraska’s nine.
Nebraska got on the board first winning a tight bout at 125. Joey Cruz fell to No. 8 Caleb Smith, 2-1, a third period ride out was the difference for Smith.
Iowa responded with a win at 133, Drake Ayala recorded his 11th straight win and fifth against a ranked opponent defeating No. 15 Jacob Van Dee, 4-2.
Nebraska retook the lead with a major decision at 141 with sixth-ranked Brock Hardy notching a major decision over Cullan Schriever, 14-3.
Kyle Parco got the win at 149 in a top five showdown. He defeated second ranked Ridge Lovett, 3-2.
“It was a good match, it gives me a little bit of confidence going in,” said Parco. “Those aren’t necessarily the matches I want to win. I’m looking towards other opponents, getting some wins back. Getting that Penn State match back, that one still lingers in my mind a lot. So I think this was good for me, a good win, but I am still looking towards the future.”
At 157, Miguel Estrada lost a tight match with No. 4 Antrell Taylor dropping a 4-2 decision to give the Huskers a 10-6 lead at the break.
Caliendo cut the Hawkeye deficit to one with a decision over eighth-ranked Christopher Minto, winning 5-1 at 165.
A wild match at 174, saw the Huskers come out on top. Patrick Kennedy fought off his back and rallied back from being down 10-1 to tie the score at 11-11, but a late takedown and back points gave No. 14 Lenny Pinto a 18-11 win. A sudden victory win for No. 8 Sillas Allred over Gabe Arnold at 184 made things 16-9 for the Huskers with two bouts to go.
Buchanan had a 17-4 lead late in the third period when he whipped over No. 20 Camden McDanel and secured the fall with eight second remaining in the third period.
“I think that years before, I would definitely be looking for a pin or tech fall,” said Buchanan. “But I think when you try to force things and go into that match with that mindset that is when you try to force shots, force cradles, force anything and everything to get back points and the match falls apart. Going into that match I was focused on wrestling and getting to the positions where I am good at. Pushing the pace.”
Kueter closed out the dual with bonus points defeating No. 21 Harley Andrews, 8-0.
#3 Iowa 19, #7 Nebraska 16
125 – #8 Caleb Smith (N) dec. #26 Joey Cruz (I), 2-1
133 – #3 Drake Ayala (I) dec. #15 Jacob Van Dee (N), 4-2
141 – #6 Brock Hardy (N) major dec. Cullan Schriever (I), 14-3
149 – #4 Kyle Parco (I) dec. #2 Ridge Lovett (N), 3-2
157 – #4 Antrell Taylor (N) dec. Miguel Estrada (I), 4-2
165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (I) dec. #8 Christopher Minto (N), 5-1
174 – #14 Lenny Pinto (N) dec. #6 Patrick Kennedy (I), 18-11
184 – #8 Silas Allred (N) dec. #5 Gabe Arnold (I), 4-1 SV1
197 – #1 Stephen Buchanan (I) pinned #20 Camden McDanel (N), 6:52
285 – #11 Ben Kueter (N) dec. #21 Harley Andrews (N), 8-0
Officials: Angel Rivera, Reynaldo Santiago
Attendance: 13,720