University of Northern Iowa
Nebraska
UNI wrestling takes down No. 4 Nebraska in 24-9 home win
1/5/2025 4:46:00 PM | Wrestling
Panthers defeat Cornhuskers in dual action for the first time since 1991. UNI back in action next weekend at NWCA Multi-Division National Dual Championships in UNI-Dome.
OFFICIALS - Eric McGill, Leo Mercado
ATTENDANCE - 3,113
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CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI wrestling team brought the heat to the McLeod Center on Sunday afternoon as the tenth-ranked Panthers knocked off No. 4 Nebraska in non-conference dual action by a score of 24-9.
Northern Iowa's big win marked the first victory over the Cornhuskers in 34 years, as well as its first top-five ranked win since beating No. 3 Ohio State at the 2022 Collegiate Duals.
The Panthers picked up four individual wins over top-five ranked opponents, which began with a stunning win for No. 31 Trever Anderson at 125 pounds over fifth-ranked and returning All-American Caleb Smith. Cael Happel (141 pounds), Ryder Downey (157 pounds) and Parker Keckeisen (184 pounds) also picked up top-five wins.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Anderson set the tone early at 125 pounds against Smith. After a scoreless first period, Smith took the lead early in the second with a quick escape, but Anderson responded with a takedown and, after another escape by Smith, Anderson escaped in the third period for a 4-2 lead before adding an extra point for riding time for a 5-2 victory. The victory marked Anderson's first dual win of the season and his second career victory over a top-five opponent, having previously defeated No. 1 Jakob Camacho (North Carolina State) last year.
Julian Farber made his dual debut of the season at 133 pounds against No. 20 Jacob Van Dee. Van Dee took control early, securing a takedown in the first period and adding an escape in the third. Farber would battle hard in the final period as he scrambled for a potential takedown, but ultimately fell short, dropping the match 5-0 as Van Dee earned the additional riding time point.
Eighth-ranked Happel (141 pounds) secured his third career top-five victory and earned his third straight win over No. 5 Brock Hardy in a come-from-behind effort. Hardy jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Happel earned a takedown and cradled his opponent for a pin, but ultimately secured four back points to lead 7-4. After Hardy gave up a stalling point, Happel defended shot attempts from Hardy to finish the match with a 7-4 win.Â
At 149 pounds, No. 17 Colin Realbuto faced off against No. 5 and All-American Ridge Lovett. Realbuto gave up an early takedown and three back points in the first period, falling behind 6-1, and later two more back points for an 8-1 deficit. However, Realbuto responded with a reversal and three back points after a Lovett takedown, narrowing Lovett's lead to 11-6. After letting Lovett escape, Realbuto managed a final takedown, but would fall short, falling 12-9.
No. 5 Downey (157 pounds), seeking to avenge his loss to No. 3 Antrell Taylor from last month's Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, had to rally after giving up a reversal to Taylor in the second period. After escaping the reversal, Downey scored on another escape in the third frame to even the match at 2-2 to force overtime. With Taylor facing a stalling warning, Downey capitalized on his late momentum with an impressive takedown for the 5-2 sudden victory win. Downey improves with the win to 2-0 in top-five ranked matchups.Â
After the intermission, No. 21 Jack Thomsen (165 pounds) would give Panther fans another thrilling match, facing off against undefeated Christopher Minto. After a scoreless first period, Minto took a 1-0 lead on a second period escape before Thomsen evened the bout with a third period escape. In overtime, Thomsen drove Minto near the edge of the mat before sweeping for the winning takedown, securing the 4-1 victory in sudden victory.
At 174 pounds, No. 16 Jared Simma battled against No. 17 Lenny Pinto down to the wire. Simma grabbed a 4-0 lead heading into the second period, but Pinto would turn the tide in the third, securing two takedowns for a 6-5 win.
Second-ranked Keckeisen dominated at 184 pounds against No. 5 and unbeaten Silas Allred. After grabbing a takedown, Keckeisen would pounce on his opponent just 38 seconds into the second period, scoring his second pin of the season to give UNI six team points in the only match of the afternoon to be decided by bonus points. The victory marks Keckeisen's 43rd consecutive regular season win.
Wyatt Voelker (197 pounds) would seal Northern Iowa's dual win against No. 22 Camden McDanel, rallying from an early 2-1 hole. After exchanging escapes in the final two periods and McDanel grabbing a 4-2 lead late, Voelker, flurried in the final moments for the go-ahead takedown for a 5-4 victory to improve to 11-3 on the year.
Closing out the dual at heavyweight, No. 16 Lance Runyon would emerge victorious against No. 23 Harley Andrews in a bout that featured multiple reversals on both sides. After Andrews took an early lead with a takedown in the first period, Runyon answered with a reversal to close his deficit to 6-4 in Andrews' favor. In the second period, Runyon put Andrews on his back for four back points, taking a 10-5 lead, ultimately riding momentum to an 11-6 decision.
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UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action Jan. 10-11 as they host the National Wrestling Coaches Association's (NWCA) National Multi-Divisional Dual Meet Championships inside the UNI-Dome.Â
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FINAL RESULTS (Intermat / FloWrestling rankings listed)
No. 10 UNI 24, No. 4 NEBRASKA 9
- 125 | Trever Anderson (UNI) dec. #5 Caleb Smith (NU), 5-2
- 133 | #20/21 Jacob Van Dee (NU) dec. Julian Farber (UNI), 5-0
- 141 | #8/9 Cael Happel (UNI) dec. #5/5 Brock Hardy (NU), 7-5
- 149 | #5/5 Ridge Lovett (NU) dec. #17/15 Colin Realbuto (UNI), 12-9
- 157 | #5/5 Ryder Downey (UNI) dec. #3/4 Antrell Taylor (NU), 5-2 SV-1
- 165 | #21/19 Jack Thomsen (UNI) dec. Christopher Minto (NU), 4-1 SV-1
- 174 | #17/16 Lenny Pinto (NU) dec. #16/14 Jared Simma (UNI), 6-5
- 184 | #2/2 Parker Keckeisen (UNI) pins #5/7 Silas Allred (NU), Fall 3:38
- 197 | #15/13 Wyatt Voelker (UNI) dec. #22/29 Camden McDanel (NU), 5-4
- HWT | #16/17 Lance Runyon (UNI) dec. #23/28 Harley Andrews (NU), 11-6
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UNI wrestling action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (University of Northern Iowa Wrestling), X (@UNI_wrestling) and on Instagram (@uni_panther_wrestling). Check out the latest Panther news and information online at UNIpanthers.com.
Players Mentioned
