Fargo, N.D. - The No. 9 Nebraska wrestling team dominated North Dakota State, recording five bonus-point victories to defeat NDSU (0-1, 0-0 Big 12) 31-12 on Saturday afternoon.
#14 Caleb Smith (125) started the day off strong for the Huskers as he used a reversal, two takedowns and an escape to claim the 9-5 decision and his first career Husker victory. Jacob Van Dee then got the start at 133 as he recorded a takedown, escape and the riding time point for the 5-1 victory.
At 141, NDSU tallied its first win of the day as sophomore Blake Cushing was tied with Gavin Drexler 4-4 after two periods, but fell by decision 9-4. #1 Ridge Lovett (149) got the Huskers back on track as he earned the first bonus-point victory for NU. Lovett used a takedown in each period to claim the 11-1 major decision win over NDSU’s #11 Kellyn March.
With the 10-3 overall team lead, #3 Peyton Robb kept the Huskers rolling at 157. The Husker senior scored two takedowns and two nearfall points in the opening period and added a reversal and a takedown in each of the following periods en route to the 18-3 tech. fall against NDSU’s Landen Johnson. Next up at 165, Antrell Taylor came out quickly as he tallied a pin in the opening period of the match to help the Huskers hold the 15-3 advantage with four matches remaining.
At 174, sophomore #20 Elise Brown Ton got the start. He recorded an opening-period takedown, but it was not enough as NDSU’s Aidan Brenot topped Brown Ton by decision, 8-3. The next two matches of the day saw the Big Red rack up two-straight tech. falls. #9 Lenny Pinto used six takedowns in his match at 184 to claim the 19-4 fall in Period 3. #7 Silas Allred followed suit at 197 as he tallied five takedowns and four nearfall points to earn the 20-4 victory.
With the 31-6 lead, heavyweight Harley Andrews battled but was pinned in Period 3 by NDSU’s Devon Dawson.
NU (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) will return to action next week as the team hosts Campbell on Friday, Nov. 10. Action is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
#9 Nebraska 31, North Dakota State 12
125: #14 Caleb Smith dec. Carlos Negrete Jr. (NDSU) 9-5 (NEB 3, NDSU 0)
133: Jake Van Dee dec. Fernando Barreto (NDSU) 5-1 (NEB 6, NDSU 0)
141: Gavin Drexler (NDSU) dec. Blake Cushing 9-4 (NEB 6, NDSU 3)
149: #1 Ridge Lovett major dec. #11 Kellyn March (NDSU) 11-1 (NEB 10, NDSU 3)
157: #3 Peyton Robb tech. fall Landen Johnson (NDSU) 18-3 6:58 (NEB 15, NDSU 3)
165: Antrell Taylor pinned Brendan Howes (NDSU) 2:29 (NEB 21, NDSU 3)
174: Gaven Sax (NDSU) dec. #20 Elise Brown Ton 8-3 (NEB 21, NDSU 6)
184: #9 Lenny Pinto tech. fall Aidan Brenot (NDSU) 19-4 6:24 (NEB 26, NDSU 6)
197: #7 Silas Allred tech. fall Spencer Mooberry (NDSU) 20-4 5:25 (NEB 31, NDSU 6)
HWT: Devon Dawson (NDSU) pinned Harley Andrews 6:23 (NEB 31, NDSU 12)