Bison Wrestling Drops Opening Dual to Nebraska 31-12
FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State wrestling dropped its season opening dual on Saturday, Nov. 4, falling to No. 5/9 Nebraska 31-12 at the Scheels Center.
The Bison picked up three victories in the dual, led by an upset at 174 pounds, as Gaven Sax took down #20 Elise Brown Ton, and a fall at heavyweight, as Devon Dawson scored bonus points in his Bison debut. Gavin Drexler scored the other victory for the Bison, claiming a win at 141 pounds.
Drexler had the first victory of the afternoon, as he defeated Blake Cushing by a 9-4 decision in the 141-pound match. Following a takedown by Cushing in the first and an escape in the second to fall behind 4-1, Drexler scored the remaining points of the match. He tied the dual at 4-4 with a takedown and a ride out in the second period. He then picked up an escape and later another takedown before tacking on a riding time point for the 9-4 decision.
Sax would scoop up the second win for the Bison, and like Drexler, also came from behind after giving up an early takedown in the first. After a neutral and scoreless second, Sax trailed 3-1 in the third, but scored a reversal to start the period before earning a four-point nearfall and eventually a riding time point to pick up the third ranked win of his career with an 8-3 decision.
Dawson capped off the dual in style for the Bison as he won a battle at heavyweight before securing a fall at 6:20 to defeat Harley Andrews. Dawson had the early takedown, but also gave up a takedown in the first period. After giving up a reversal to start the second, Dawson trailed 6-4, but responded with a takedown to hold an 8-7 lead headed to the third. Dawson would then record an escape before securing a takedown near the edge of the mat as he converted it into a fall to cap his Bison debut.
Carlos Negrete Jr. and Fernando Barreto would drop the opening matches for the Bison, falling at 125 and 133 pounds. Negrete had a reversal midway through the second, but gave up late takedowns in the second and third to fall 9-5. Barreto gave up a takedown early and riding time in the opening period in the main difference in his 5-1 defeat.
Nebraska would pick up bonus points in the final two matches of the first half, followed by a pin to start the second half. #12 Kellyn March fell by a 11-1 major decision to #1 Ridge Lovett at 149. #3 Peyton Robb then secured an 18-3 tech fall over Landen Johnson at 157. Antrell Taylor picked up a first period fall over Brendan Howes at 165.
Nebraska clinched the dual at 184, as #9 Lenny Pinto picked up the second of three tech falls with a win over Bison freshman Aidan Brenot making his collegiate debut. #7 Silas Allred would then secure a tech fall over Spencer Mooberry, 20-4 to cap Nebraska’s victories.
Bison wrestling will remain at home as North Dakota State welcomes in several programs for the 52nd annual Bison Open wrestling tournament on Saturday, Nov. 11. The event is set to get underway at 9 a.m. inside the Scheels Center.
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 | Scheels Center | Fargo, N.D. | Attendance: 557
Nebraska 31, North Dakota State 12
125: #14 Caleb Smith (NEB) over Carlos Negrete Jr (NDSU); Dec 9-5
133: #30 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) over Fernando Barreto (NDSU); Dec 5-1
141: Gavin Drexler (NDSU) over Blake Cushing (NEB); Dec 9-4
149: #1 Ridge Lovett (NEB) over #12 Kellyn March (NDSU); MD 11-1
157: #3 Peyton Robb (NEB) over Landen Johnson (NDSU); TF 18-3 6:50
165: Antrell Taylor (NEB) over Brendan Howes (NDSU); Fall 2:28
174: Gaven Sax (NDSU) over #20 Elise Brown Ton (NEB); Dec 8-3
184: #9 Lenny Pinto (NEB) over Aidan Brenot (NDSU); TF 19-4 6:25
197: #7 Silas Allred (NEB) over Spencer Mooberry (NDSU); TF 20-4 5:24
285: Devon Dawson (NDSU) over Harley Andrews (NEB); Fall 6:20
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