Gophers Falter to No. 16 Nebraska
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.
January 13, 2023 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Devaney Center | Attendance: 3821
#16 Nebraska 21, #12 Minnesota 9
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
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