Huskers Take Down No. 9 Minnesota

With a key pin from Antrell Taylor to give the Huskers an extra six points, the No. 6 Nebraska wrestling team (9-3, 2-0 Big Ten) earned a 20-12 victory over No. 9 Minnesota (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten) on Friday night. 

The top-10 matchup opened at 125, where Alan Koehler dropped a 4-1 decision to No. 9 Jore Volk. The Huskers responded at 133 as No. 9 Jacob Van Dee collected his ninth straight dual victory, using an early escape to secure a 1-0 decision over Brandon Morvari. 

With the team score tied at 3-3, true freshman Jake Hockaday made his first career Husker start at 141, stepping in to give Brock Hardy a midseason rest. Hockaday battled throughout the bout, but No. 10 Vance VomBaur pulled away with a late takedown to earn a 7-2 decision. 

At 149, Nikade Zinkin battled it out with No. 25 Drew Roberts, scoring three escapes before falling by decision, 6-3, giving Minnesota a 9-3 lead.

The Big Red answered at 157 as fifth-ranked Antrell Taylor faced No. 19 Charlie Millard. The pair were scoreless through the first period before exchanging escapes in the second. Trailing 5-3 in the third after Millard secured a takedown, Taylor delivered a dominant finish, scoring a takedown in the final seconds and turning it into a match tying pin to even the team score, 9-9. The pin marked Taylor’s third of the season and second consecutive dual decided by fall.

After the intermission, No. 8 LJ Araujo kept the Huskers’ momentum rolling, recording a pair of  takedowns and escapes while adding riding time to secure a 9-2 decision over No. 11 Andrew Sparks. 

Next, No. 6 Christopher Minto faced No. 22 Ethan Riddle. Minto recorded a takedown in each period to control the bout and earn an 11-4 decision victory.  

In a top-10 bout at 184, No. 9 Silas Allred met No. 3 Max McEnelly for the second time in their careers. After McEnelly defeated Allred in last season’s meeting, the pair went scoreless through the first two periods before exchanging escapes in the third to force overtime. McEnelly secured a takedown in sudden victory to claim a 4-1 decision. 

With a 15-12 Nebraska lead, No. 12 Camden McDanel sealed a 7-2 decision over No. 24 Gavin Nelson with a third period takedown. 

The dual closed at heavyweight, where No. 4 AJ Ferrari collected an escape in the second period before No. 10 Koy Hopke matched it with an escape in the third. Ferrari’s riding time sealed a 2-1 decision.  

Up Next
The Huskers return to the Devaney Center to host No. 4 Iowa on Friday, Jan. 23. The top-10 matchup is set for 8 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on BTN. 

No. 6 Nebraska 20, No. 9 Minnesota 12 
125: #9 Jore Volk dec. Alan Koehler 4-1 (NEB 0, MINN 3)
133: #9 Jacob Van Dee dec. Brandon Morvari 1-0 (NEB 3, MINN 3)
141: #10 Vance VomBaur dec. Jake Hockaday 7-2 (NEB 3, MINN 6)
149: #25 Drew Roberts dec. Nikade Zinkin 6-3 (NEB 3, MINN 9)
157: #5 Antrell Taylor pinned #19 Charlie Millard 7:00 (NEB 9, MINN 9)
165: #8 LJ Araujo dec. #11 Andrew Sparks 9-2 (NEB 12, MINN 9)
174: #6 Christopher Minto dec. #22 Ethan Riddle 11-4 (NEB 15, MINN 9)
184: #3 Max McEnelly dec. #9 Silas Allred SV-1, 4-1 (NEB 15, MINN 12)
197: #12 Camden McDanel dec. #24 Gavin Nelson 7-2 (NEB 18, MINN 12)
HWT: #4 AJ Ferrari dec. #10 Koy Hopke 2-1 (NEB 21, MINN 12)
*Unsportsmanlike Conduct: -1 Nebraska team point
Final Team Score: Nebraska 20, Minnesota 12