Minnesota Golden Gophers

Gophers Close Out Home Slate against No. 2 Iowa

MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 11 University of Minnesota wrestling program (11-2, 4-2 B1G) is set for their home finale on Friday night, as they look to go undefeated at home for the first time since the 2014-15 season against the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes (12-1, 5-1 B1G) inside Maturi Pavilion at 8:00 p.m. CST.

The dual will be broadcasted live on Big Ten Network with Ray Flores and Tim Johnson on the call. Fans can also follow along to match-by-match updates on Twitter at @GopherWrestling.

Minnesota is coming off the heels of a 24-9 win over No. 17 Illinois, where the Gophers claimed seven of the ten bouts, including three upset victories from Jake Bergeland, Cael Carlson, and Bailee O’Reilly

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Penn State unanimous No. 1 after beating Iowa in battle of Big Ten unbeatens

Manheim, Pennsylvania – Penn State stands alone as the last Division I unbeaten after the host Nittany Lions topped rival Iowa in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in front of a sold-out crowd of 15,998 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State comes in as the unanimous No. 1 in the latest NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll on Tuesday.

Penn State (11-0) won six out of 10 bouts in the dual that tied the record for the largest indoor dual meet crowd, a record set at Penn State against Iowa in 2018. Iowa remained No. 2.

Iowa State (12-2) moved up to No. 3 after sweeping Oklahoma and Oklahoma State at home. The Cyclones topped then-No. 10 Cowboys 18-11 and the Sooners 25-12. Ohio State made the big leap in the top 10 this week. The Buckeyes (11-1) moved up to No. 4 after beating then-No. 3 Michigan 23-15 and then-No. 22 Michigan State 36-3. Michigan slid three spots to No. 6, while Cornell remained at No. 5 after EIWA wins over Army West Point and Columbia.

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Minnesota 24 Illinois 9

Trio of Upset Wins Fuel Gophers’ 24-9 Rout of Illinois

MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 11 University of Minnesota wrestling program continued their unbeaten home streak on Saturday afternoon, as they rolled to a 24-9 victory over Illinois.

Only favored in four of the bouts heading into the dual, Minnesota rolled to three upsets throughout the dual, including two over top-10 opponents, and ended up with seven wins out of the dual’s ten matches.

The dual kicked off at 157 pounds, where Sebas Swiggum would fill in for the late-scratch Brayton Lee, putting up a commendable effort in an 11-6 loss against a ranked Michael Carr.

Cael Carlson put the Gophers on the board first at 165 pounds, stepping into the lineup to knock off No. 19 Danny Braunagel by 2-1 decision. The story of the match was Carlson’s tough third-period ride, building riding time over one minute before Braunagel’s escape to put himself out front for the win.

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Minnesota Set for Senior Day Clash against No. 17 Illinois

MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 11 University of Minnesota wrestling program (10-2, 3-2 B1G) will look to protect an unblemished home record on Saturday afternoon, as they host No. 17 Illinois (5-4, 3-2 B1G) inside Maturi Pavilion at Saturday at 1:00 p.m. CST.

The dual will be broadcasted live on Big Ten Network with Ray Flores and Tim Johnson on the call. Fans can also follow along to match-by-match updates on Twitter at @GopherWrestling.

The dual will also act as the program’s Senior Day, as the Gophers will honor eight graduates – Jake Bergeland, Michael Blockhus, Michial Foy, Jake Gliva, Keaton Kluever, Jared Krattiger, Bailee O’Reilly, and Marcos Polanco.

Some of Saturday’s honored athletes may choose to use their remaining eligibility at a later date, while fellow Gopher seniors Patrick McKee, Brayton Lee, and Garrett Joles have already shared their intentions to use their final year of eligibility next season.

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