Nebraska upsets Penn State
Nebraska upsets Penn State
University of Nebraska Sports Information
The tenth-ranked Husker wrestling team snatched six matches from Penn State to earn a 19-13 upset of the No. 1 Nittany Lions in the second round of the Nationals Duals on Saturday. The win improves Nebraska to 8-1 in duals this season and now pits NU against No. 6 Minnesota in the semifinals tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Yet another young Husker stepped up for Nebraska as sophomore Mike Rowe made his season debut at 141 pounds and recorded a 6-4 win over No. 2 Jake Strayer. Rowe jumped on Strayer early by earning the first takedown, but a collision between Strayer's teeth and Rowe's forehead in the second period slowed Rowe down. Rowe battled blood throughout the rest of the match, but scored a reversal with a minute left in the final period to retake the lead and win.
Junior Paul Donahoe notched the Huskers' only bonus-point victory in a tightly contested dual as he earned a 13-4 major decision over No. 7 Mark McKnight at 125 pounds. Donahoe entered the third period up just two but recorded three takedowns and an escape in the final stanza to widen the gap. Donahoe's two victories on Saturday were both over ranked opponents and improved him to 10-0 on the season and 7-0 in duals.
The Huskers' four other wins were all by decision as each team only had one bonus-point victory. Sophomore Kenny Jordan recorded his second win of the day at 133 with a 2-0 win over Tim Haas, while fellow sophomore Stephen Dwyer also went 2-0 on the day at 165. Dwyer notched a 5-3 win over Dave Rella, before junior Brandon Browne won 5-4 over No. 17 Dave Erwin at 174. Junior Vince Jones clinched a Husker victory with his 10-5 decision over No. 14 Philip Bomberger at 184. Jones win put the Huskers up 19-6 with two matches left.
The Huskers will look for revenge against Minnesota in the semifinals tomorrow at 11 a.m. The Golden Gophers earned a 25-13 dual win over NU on Dec. 6 in Minneapolis, but the Huskers forfeited two weights to give Minnesota 12 easy points.