Sunday, January 26
Lincoln, Neb.
3 p.m.
Michigan State University
12
at
25
Nebraska
Photo by: Rey Del Rio/MSU Athletic Communications
Spartan Wrestling Gains Early Edge, Falls to No. 7 Nebraska
1/26/2020 7:02:00 PM | Wrestling
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Michigan State wrestling jumped out to a 12-7 lead over No. 7 Nebraska before the Cornhuskers scored 18 unanswered points on their way to a 25-12 win on Sunday afternoon inside Nebraska's Devaney Center.
Redshirt junior Drew Hughes recorded MSU's lone bonus point win with a fall at 165 pounds, while redshirt junior Jake Tucker and redshirt sophomore Cameron Caffey tallied ranked wins for the Spartans at 157 and 184 pounds, respectively. Caffey improved to 19-6 on the season and 4-1 in B1G action with an 11-6 comeback victory over No. 6 Taylor Venz.
"Our guys are finally buying into the process which is competing for seven minutes and competing through every situation," said MSU wrestling head coach. 'That's a very good Nebraska team and I was proud of the effort they gave today."
Action started at 149 pounds with redshirt junior Alex Hrisopoulos taking on No. 16 Colin Purinton of Nebraska. Purinton landed an early takedown and Hrisopoulos followed with an escape in the first and second periods to tie the match at two. An escape in the third period clinched the win for Purinton, 3-2, over Hrisopoulos in a hard-fought battle.
Tucker went toe-to-toe with No. 25 Peyton Rubb at 157 pounds. After an early takedown in the first period by Tucker, Rubb quickly followed with a reversal to tie it at two going into the second period. Rubb took a 4-2 lead after two periods with an escape and point for illegal hold. Tucker registered an early escape in the third period and followed with a late takedown to go up 5-4. With the Husker holding the riding time advantage, Tucker held on late to avoid giving up an escape point to tie the match at five after regulation. Rubb tried for a takedown in sudden victory, but Tucker held his composure and answered with a takedown of his own for the 7-5 win, tying the match at three.
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BIG TIME FROM TUCKER!!
— Spartan Wrestling (@wrestlingmsu) January 26, 2020
Tucker lands takedown in sudden victory to knock off #25 Robb, 7-5.#SpartanStrong #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/PcVxljRin8
Hughes pushed the Spartans' lead to 9-3 with a fall at 165 pounds over Dalton Peters at 4:03 in the bout. Hughes trailed 2-0 and gave up two minutes of riding time to Peters, before Hughes took the top position in the second period. Hughes, one of the top guys in the top position, in the country, locked the legs early and went for his go-to power half against Peters. After failing in his first attempt, Hughes changed positions and tallied the fall.
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THAT'S A FALL FOR DREW HUGHES!
— Spartan Wrestling (@wrestlingmsu) January 26, 2020
Hughes puts the Spartans up 9-3 with a fall over Peters at 165 pounds!#SpartanStrong #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/272MtntClT
Redshirt freshman Layne Malczewski went at it with No. 6 Mikey Labriola at 174 pounds, fighting to a 4-2 deficit after one. Labriola landed a cradle and four back points to take a 12-3 lead into the third. Labriola scored another takedown in the third on his way to a 17-6 major decision win.
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At 184 pounds, Caffey put on a show for the Spartans against No. 6 Venz. Caffey couldn't get anything going through the first two periods and trailed 5-1 heading to the final frame. The redshirt sophomore started his big 10-point third period with an escape and takedown to cut the lead to one. Caffey landed a four-point near-fall and another takedown just before time expired to come out an 11-6 winner and give the Spartans a 12-7 lead at the break. With the win, Caffey improves to 4-1 in B1G action and 10-2 in duals, winning his last four bouts.Â
"Cam Caffey is believing in everything he does and is dictating matches of where he wants to wrestle," said Chandler. "He wants to be an All-American this year and it shows you he is very capable by knocking off a returning All-American. If he stays focused on himself, everyone can see what he can do."
UPSET ALERT!!
— Spartan Wrestling (@wrestlingmsu) January 26, 2020
Caffey rallies in the 3rd period with a four-point near-fall and takedown to knock off #6 Taylor Venz!
Spartans up 12-7 over the Cornhuskers!#SpartanStrong #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/H3pQ6YSnaW
Redshirt junior Nick May put up a fight for the second-straight match at 197 pounds, this time against No. 10 Eric Schultz. After a scoreless first frame, Schultz landed a takedown and escape for a 3-1 lead after two. May escaped in the third to cut the lead to one, but couldn't land anything in the final seconds, falling 3-2.
The Cornhuskers regained the lead at 13-12 in the 285 pounds bout after a 6-0 decision by David Jensen over redshirt junior Christian Rebottaro. Redshirt senior Logan Griffin had an opportunity late to give the Spartans the lead back in his 125 pound match with Alex Thomsen. The two were tied 2-2 after two and Thomsen sealed the victory with a reversal in the final frame to give Nebraska a 16-12 lead. Redshirt senior Garrett Pepple faced his second ranked Big Ten opponent in No. 15 Ridge Lovett at 133 pounds. Lovett landed a takedown in the first to lead 2-0 and rode out the period over Pepple. The Spartan answered with over a minute of riding time in the second, but Lovett secured the 5-0 win with a takedown in the third plus riding time. In the 141-pound bout, No. 6 Chad Red Jr. gave Nebraska the 25-12 win with a fall over redshirt junior Matt Santos at 1:10.Â
Michigan State travels to Illinois for its next match on Friday, Jan. 31 in Champaign, Illinois. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. The Spartans then return to Jenison Field House for a Spartan Senior Day stanza with No. 1 Iowa on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. Both matches will air on BTN+
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No. 7 Nebraska 25, Michigan State 12
149 - No. 16 Collin Purinton (NEB) dec. over Alex Hrisopoulos (MSU), 3-2 - NEB leads 3-0
157 - No. 22 Jake Tucker (MSU) dec. over No. 25 Peyton Robb (NEB), 7-5Â (SV-1) - Tied 3-3
165 - Drew Hughes (MSU) fall over Dalton Peters (NEB), 4:03 - MSU leads 9-3
174 - No. 6 Mikey Labriola (NEB) maj. dec. over No. 23 Layne Malczewski (MSU), 17-6 - MSU leads 9-7
184 - No. 20 Cameron Caffey (MSU) dec. over No. 6 Taylor Venz (NEB), 11-6 - MSU leads 12-7
197 - No. 10 Eric Schultz (NEB) dec. over Nick May (MSU), 3-2 - MSU leads 12-10
285 - David Jensen (NEB) dec. over Christian Rebottaro (MSU), 6-0 - NEB leads 13-12
125 - Alex Thomsen (NEB) dec. over Logan Griffin (MSU), 5-2 - NEB leads 16-12
133 - No. 15 Ridge Lovett (NEB) dec. over Garrett Pepple (MSU), 5-0 - NEB leads 19-12
141 - No. 6 Chad Red Jr. (NEB) fall over Matt Santos (MSU), 1:10 - NEB wins 25-12
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