In a marquee Big Ten showdown packed with grit and late-match drama, No. 6 Nebraska wrestling handled business Friday night, outlasting No. 7 Minnesota in a 21-12 victory that showcased both resilience and depth across the lineup.
Coming off a dominant win over Purdue, the Huskers carried that momentum into a duel that mirrored last year’s result-a 21-13 Nebraska win over the Gophers. This time, it was a similar script with a few new stars stepping into the spotlight.
Antrell Taylor Delivers in the Clutch
If there were any lingering doubts about Antrell Taylor’s offensive firepower, he put them to rest in emphatic fashion. The senior, ranked No. 6 at 157 pounds, walked into the match with just 35 takedowns on the season-fifth among Huskers-and a few question marks following losses earlier in the year. But when Nebraska needed him most, Taylor delivered.
Trailing 5-3 late in the third period against Minnesota’s Charlie Millard, Taylor dug deep and found the pin as the clock expired. It was a moment of redemption and resilience for the two-time All-American, who’s now 2-0 in Big Ten duals and 13-2 overall on the season.
Back-to-back pins in conference play? That’s how you silence the critics.
Ferrari Keeps Rolling
AJ Ferrari’s presence on the mat Friday night was steady and unshakable. Facing No. 10 Koy Hopke in a heavyweight battle that turned into a chess match, Ferrari leaned on control, composure, and over a minute of riding time to edge out a 2-1 decision.
The match was tied 1-1 late in the third, but Ferrari’s ability to dictate tempo and limit Hopke’s scoring chances, even while battling through a nose injury, proved decisive. Hopke escaped in the final seconds, but Ferrari’s scramble sealed the win. The senior continues to show why he’s ranked No. 4 in the country-he doesn’t just win, he grinds opponents down.
Hockaday Debuts Amid Lineup Shuffle
There was buzz around a potential top-10 clash at 141 pounds between Nebraska’s Brock Hardy and Minnesota’s Vance VomBaur-a rematch of last season’s 12-10 thriller. But Hardy was a late scratch, and in his place stepped true freshman Jake Hockaday, making his season debut.
The three-time Indiana state champion showed flashes but ultimately fell 7-2 after entering the third period down just one point. It was a tough assignment for a debut, but Hockaday held his own against an All-American. Hardy’s return appears likely next week, but Hockaday’s effort gave Nebraska a glimpse of its future.
Key Takeaways Across the Lineup
- 125 pounds: Redshirt freshman Alan Koehler dropped a 4-1 decision to No. 9 Jore Volk, but his performance-particularly after a first-period takedown-was gritty. Koehler’s shown enough to remain the go-to option heading into next week’s matchup with Iowa’s Dean Peterson.
- 133 pounds: Jacob Van Dee’s 1-0 decision over Brandon Morvari was tighter than expected, especially given the disparity in records (Van Dee at 11-1, Morvari at 1-6). Still, a win is a win, and Van Dee’s second-period escape was all he needed to stay perfect in Big Ten duals.
- 149 pounds: Another surprise lineup change saw freshman Nikade Zinkin replace Chance Lamer, who was coming off a strong showing against Purdue. Zinkin couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, falling 5-3 in a match where he was never quite able to control the pace.
- 165 pounds: LJ Araujo bounced back in a big way. The redshirt freshman, ranked No. 10, looked sharp and in control against No.
11 Andrew Sparks, earning a 9-2 decision. It was one of Araujo’s most complete performances of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time-he’s got a gauntlet ahead with two top-three opponents looming.
- 174 pounds: Christopher Minto, ranked No. 6, flirted with a major decision before settling for a 10-4 win over Ethan Riddle. Minto’s dominance in the middle weights continues to be a steadying force for Nebraska.
- 184 pounds: Silas Allred came up just short in a rematch with No. 3 Max McEnelly, falling in sudden victory.
Allred held McEnelly to just one point through regulation, but couldn’t break through offensively. It’s another example of Allred’s elite defense, but he’ll need to find scoring opportunities in these top-tier matchups.
- 197 pounds: Camden McDanel put on a show in one of the night’s most exciting bouts, using scrambles and smart positioning to take down Gavin Nelson, 7-2. The sophomore’s offensive instincts were on full display, and his continued growth at 197 gives Nebraska a real weapon in the upper weights.
What’s Next
Nebraska’s win over Minnesota wasn’t just another notch in the win column-it was a statement. The Huskers are tough, deep, and getting timely performances from veterans and young guns alike. And now, the road gets even tougher.
Next up: No. 4 Iowa at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Then it’s No. 2 Ohio State and No.
1 Penn State. This three-match stretch will test everything Nebraska has built so far this season.
But if Friday night was any indication, the Huskers aren’t just ready-they’re hungry.