Tempe, Ariz. -- The Nebraska wrestling team fell, 20-16, to 11th-ranked Arizona State Friday night in Tempe, Ariz., in front of 832 fans at Wells Fargo Arena. The 23rd-ranked Huskers dropped to 8-6, while ASU improved to 8-2.

Senior Tony Denke opened the dual for the Huskers with a 14-6 major decision over Chris Petrie at 174 pounds. Denke, a three-year starter at 165 pounds, weighed in at 174 pounds for the first time in his career against the Sun Devils. Coach Mark Manning elected to bump Denke, who improved to 13-6 with the win, up a weight because of the vacancy left by redshirt freshman George Kirgan, who has been out of action since December because injuries sustained in a car accident.

At 184 pounds, 15th-ranked Travis Pascoe gave NU an 8-0 lead with a 22-7 win over Will Carr. Pascoe, who is now 17-5 and won three matches in a row, dominated the match, but was unable to score near fall points to earn the five-point technical fall.

The Sun Devils chipped into the Husker lead at 197 pounds as 10th-ranked Erik Gladish scored a 7-5 upset of NU