The score was 22-18 heading into the heavyweight match as the #2 Huskers took on the #8 Badgers. Nebraska had a shot to stay undefeated, but Wisconsin’s Trent Hillger scored a 4-1 decision over Christian Lance to score three more points and hand the Huskers their first loss as they begin Big Ten conference season.

Wisconsin started with a 19-0 lead, winning the first four weight classes - 125, 133, 141, and 149 pounds. Three of those four matches featured matches between ranked wrestlers.

At 133, #13 Ridge Lovett took on #1 Badger Seth Gross. Gross scored a 13-5 major decision.

At 141, Wisconsin pulled an upset as #11 Tristan Moran scored a 9-4 decision against #6 Chad Red Jr.

At 149, Wisconsin did it again. #16 Cole Martin pinned #12 Collin Purinton in one minute, 44 seconds, the first period.

Nebraska finally scored at 157 pounds when #11 Peyton Robb scored a 19-2 technical fall win over Drew Scharenbrock.

165 pounds featured another ranked wrestler bout, and another Wisconsin upset, kind of. Nebraska’s #3 Isaiah White lost a 10-6 decision to #5 Evan Wick. It was White’s fourth-straight loss to Wick, going back to last year’s 2019 Big Ten Championship meet and the NCAA Championship.

Nebraska got another win at 174 when #5 Mikey Labriola scored a 9-3 decision over Ryan Christensen.

The Huskers dominated the next two matches as #5 Taylor Venz scored a 17-1 technical decision over Tyler Down and #14 Eric Schultz did the same to Taylor Watkins 24-8.

Then came the final heavyweight match, another between ranked wrestlers. Hilger is ranked #6, Lance #16. It was scoreless after two periods but Hillger scored an escape, a takedown, and another point for riding time to finish the bout at 4-1.

It doesn’t get any easier for Nebraska as their next match is against #1 ranked Iowa Thursday. It will be televised on BTN at 8 pm.

Summary of the Match from Track Wrestling:

Wrestling Coverage

Nebraska has one of the best wrestling teams in the nation, playing in BY FAR the best conference in the nation. I believe we have a strong fan base, but we haven’t covered the sport yet in our existence.

I would like us to start covering wrestling, but I’d like someone who’s knowledgeable with the sport to do it. I shot last year’s Big Ten Championship at Williams Arena and it was a great experience. It was also apparent talking to people there that I was pretty ignorant of the sport.

That and I love Mark Manning. That dude is all Husker.

If interested, contact me at cornnation@gmail.com.