The Big Red Host Top-Five Foes This Weekend

The No. 6 Nebraska wrestling team (9-3, 2-0 Big Ten) faces a demanding double-dual weekend against two top-five conference opponents at the Devaney Center. The Huskers will host No. 4 Iowa (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten) on Friday, Jan. 23, before welcoming No. 2 Ohio State (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten) on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Friday’s matchup against Iowa is set for 8 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on BTN, while Sunday’s dual against Ohio State begins at 1 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on B1G+. 

As the Huskers near the end of their home Big Ten slate, NU looks to build on last weekend’s 20-12 road victory over No. 9 Minnesota. The weekend presents two of the most challenging tests of the regular season, with the Huskers potentially facing seven ranked bouts against Iowa and as many as nine against Ohio State. Eight Nebraska wrestlers enter the weekend ranked inside Intermat’s top 10. 

This weekend also presents a major milestone opportunity for Brock Hardy. After resting last weekend against Minnesota, Hardy remains at 99 career dual wins. With a victory this weekend, the senior from Brigham City, Utah, would become the 32nd wrestler in program history to reach 100 dual wins. 

Nebraska vs. Iowa
Friday’s dual with Iowa could feature a couple key rematches. At 133, No. 8 Jacob Van Dee is 0-1 against No. 10 Drake Ayala, after the pair met last season. At 184, No. 7 Silas Allred and Gabe Arnold are even at 1-1. Allred earned a sudden-victory win in last season’s dual, while Arnold claimed a decision victory at the Big Ten Championships. 

Nebraska is seeking its first win over Iowa since Jan. 14, 2006, when the Huskers defeated the Hawkeyes 24-13 in Iowa City. The last home victory over Iowa came on Jan. 23, 1993, during the National Wrestling Duals in Lincoln, a 24-20 Nebraska win.  

Nebraska vs. Ohio State
Sunday’s matchup with Ohio State brings several potential rematches, as the teams previously met earlier this season at the National Duals. The following bouts could be rematches, with career head-to-head records listed:
141: Brock Hardy (1-4) and Jesse Mendez (4-1)
149: Chance Lamer (0-1) and Ethan Stiles (1-0)
157: Antrell Taylor (0-1) and Brandon Cannon (1-0)
165: LJ Araujo (0-1) and Paddy Gallagher (1-0)
174: Christopher Minto (0-1) and Carson Kharchla (1-0)
184: Silas Allred (1-1) and Dylan Fishback (1-1)
HWT: AJ Ferrari (0-1) and Nick Feldman (1-0)

The Huskers’ last victory over a top-three opponent came on Feb. 2, 2020, when NU defeated then-No. 3 Ohio State, 19-14. That dual also marked the Buckeyes’ last visit to Lincoln. 

History
Iowa Series: Iowa leads 33-7-2
Last Meeting: Feb. 7, 2025 in Iowa City, Iowa (Iowa won 19-16)

Ohio State Series: Nebraska leads 10-6-0
Last Meeting: Nov. 16, 2025 in Tulsa, Okla. (Ohio State won 33-3)

Up Next
The Huskers travel to No. 1 Penn State (9-0, 3-0 Big Ten) on Friday, Jan. 30. The conference dual is set for 7 p.m. (CT), and will be televised on BTN. 

No. 6 Nebraska (9-3, 2-0 Big Ten)
125: Alan Koehler or Kael Lauridsen
133: #8 Jacob Van Dee
141: #3 Brock Hardy or Blake Cushing
149: #14 Chance Lamer or Nikade Zinkin
157: #5 Antrell Taylor
165: #7 LJ Araujo or Jagger Condomitti
174: #6 Christopher Minto or Tyler Eise
184: #7 Silas Allred
197: #9 Camden McDanel
HWT: #4 AJ Ferrari or Cade Ziola

No. 4 Iowa (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten)
125: #6 Dean Peterson or Joey Cruz or Keyan Hernandez
133: #10 Drake Ayala
141: #10 Nasir Bailey or Kale Petersen
149: #17 Ryder Block
157: #12 Jordan Williams or Victor Voinovich lll
165: #3 Michael Caliendo
174: #3 Patrick Kennedy
184: Gabe Arnold
197: Brody Sampson or Harvey Ludington
HWT: #8 Ben Kueter 

No. 2 Ohio State (12-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
125: #2 Nic Bouzakis
133: #2 Ben Davino
141: #1 Jesse Mendez
149: #4 Ethan Stiles
157: #1 Brandon Cannon
165: #18 Paddy Gallagher or e'Than Birden
174: #4 Carson Kharchla
184: #5 Dylan Fishback
197: #10 Luke Geog or Seth Shumate
HWT: #3 Nick Feldman

*Based on Intermat rankings