Oklahoma State made a statement on the mat Sunday afternoon, taking down No. 6 Nebraska 22-12 in a gritty dual at the Devaney Center in Lincoln. The No. 5-ranked Cowboys won six of the 10 bouts, flexing their depth and resilience in a battle between two of the nation’s top wrestling programs.
This win marks Oklahoma State’s second victory over Nebraska this season - the first came in the third-place match at the National Duals Invitational in Tulsa. With this result, the Cowboys improve to 8-1 on the year and now boast five ranked wins, three of which have come against top-10 opponents. That’s the kind of résumé that starts turning heads in the national title conversation.
One of the biggest moments of the afternoon came courtesy of true freshman Sergio Vega, who delivered a jolt of electricity in the 141-pound match. Vega stunned the home crowd with a first-period pin of three-time All-American Brock Hardy - the first time Hardy has ever been pinned in his collegiate career.
That’s not just a win; that’s a statement. Vega now has four top-10 wins in just eight college matches.
For a freshman, that’s not just impressive - it’s rarefied air.
The dual started strong for the Cowboys, with Troy Spratley setting the tone at 125 pounds. He opened the meet with a major decision, giving OSU early momentum and a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. From there, it was a back-and-forth battle, but the Cowboys consistently found ways to win the tight ones.
The clincher came at 197 pounds, where Cody Merrill sealed the team victory with a gritty 2-1 win over Camden McDanel. Holding a narrow 16-12 team lead at the time, Merrill needed to deliver - and he did, riding out McDanel in the third period to secure the win. It was Merrill’s second victory over McDanel, and it couldn’t have come at a more pivotal moment.
Notably absent from the lineup was former Oklahoma State wrestler AJ Ferrari, who’s now competing at heavyweight for Nebraska. Ferrari did not wrestle for the third straight dual, and his absence was felt in a matchup where every point mattered.
With the win, Oklahoma State heads into the holiday break riding high. The Cowboys return to action on Jan. 3 at the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tennessee - one of the premier in-season tournaments on the college wrestling calendar.
After that, it’s Bedlam. The Cowboys host Oklahoma on Jan. 11 in a rivalry dual that always brings the heat, no matter the rankings.
For now, Oklahoma State walks away from Lincoln with a signature win and a roster that continues to show it can hang with - and beat - the best.