:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4648310/131558173.jpg)
The Huskers were thoroughly defeated yesterday, as the returning national champion Nittany Lions marched into Lincoln and devastated the Huskers 31-6. The Lions wasted no time in jumping out to a 20-0 lead in the first five matches of the night which included a pin and a technical fall. The point deficit was impossible for the young Husker grapplers to overcome on Senior night at the Coliseum.
Some breakdowns:
The night started out rough for the 'Skers as Penn State's pair of 2nd ranked wrestlers scored a total of 9 points in the dual, first with a pin and then a minor decision over Nebraska's Tyler Kohen (174) and 7th ranked Josh Ihnen (184), respectively.
9th ranked Tucker Lane (HWT) was also defeated by minor decision Friday. Lane and Nakashima (197) were both defeated, wrestling back to back at the dual after being honored as the only seniors on this young Husker squad. After their respective matches, the Nittany Lions held a 15-0 lead for the meet. Nebraska's Shawn Nagel (125) added to the streak of PSU wins by means of technical fall, adding their point total to 20 before the 'Skers were able to get on the board.Ridge Kylie (133) and 5th ranked Jake Sueflohn (141) both beat their opponents by minor decision to score Nebraska's only dual points of the night.
Penn State's 1st ranked (149) wrestler defeated Skylar Galloway by major decision, while their 6th ranked (157) wrestler defeated 7th ranked James Green in a minor decision.
The last match of the night summed up the night well as 6th ranked Robert Kokesh (165) was defeated by the second 1st ranked PSU grappler. The major decision defeated brought the night's score total to PSU 31 and UNL 6.
The Huskers fall to 14-2 overall and 5-2 in the B1G while PSU climbs to 10-1 overall with a 6-1 B1G record. Nebraska's final meet of the year is Sunday as they travel to Minnesota to take on the 4th ranked Golden Gophers.
After analyzing this meet, I believe that this was a battle of veteran vs. raw talent much akin to the Hawkeye meet several weeks ago. With such a young squad, replacing only two seniors, and wrestling in the toughest conference, I think Nebraska will be not only competing better with these teams in the coming years, but possibly beating them as well. GBR!