The No. 5/8 Nebraska wrestling team (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) returns home to host No. 14/18 South Dakota State (3-1, 0-0 Big 12) on Saturday. Action is slated to begin at 6 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
Prior to the dual against the Jackrabbits, NU will host a high school dual featuring Omaha Skutt and Harrisburg (SD) starting at 3 p.m. (CT).
Competition will be fierce as seven of 10 bouts potentially feature matchups between ranked wrestlers. Eight Huskers enter the weekend ranked, including returning All-Americans No. 1 Ridge Lovett (149), No. 3 Peyton Robb (157) and No. 6 Brock Hardy (141). The All-American trio boasts an overall record of 31-3 on the season, and Lovett and Robb are both undefeated.
Nebraska and South Dakota State meet for the 35th time in series history on Saturday. The Huskers lead the all-time series, 18-14-2, and have won the last 11 matchups. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Huskers recorded two bonus point victories to grab the 22-17 victory.
Last Time Out: Two Huskers claimed individual titles as the Nebraska wrestling team finished second at the 2023 Cliff Keen Invitational. Ridge Lovett (149) and Peyton Robb (157) finished atop their weight classes as NU amassed 125.5 team points.
Up Next: The Huskers host Wyoming and Northern Iowa for a triangular on Saturday, Jan. 6. Action will be streamed on Big Ten Plus and will begin with a neutral dual between Wyoming and Northern Iowa before the Huskers wrestle the Cowboys and the Panthers after with rolling starts.
Nebraska’s Projected Lineup
125 – #8 Caleb Smith (12-1)
133 – #32 Jacob Van Dee (7-3) or Kyle Burwick (3-1)
141 – #6 Brock Hardy (8-3)
149 – #1 Ridge Lovett (11-0)
157 – #3 Peyton Robb (12-0)
165 – #24 Antrell Taylor (8-2) or Bubba Wilson (3-2)
174 – Adam Thebeau (6-3) or Christopher Minto (9-2)
184 – #4 Lenny Pinto (10-2)
197 – #11 Silas Allred (11-3) or Brandyn Van Tassell (3-1)
HWT – Harley Andrews (4-6)
SDSU’s Projected Lineup
125 – #18 Tanner Jordan (12-3)
133 – #13 Derrick Cardinal (12-4)
141 – #7 Clay Carlson (0-0) or Caleb Gross (9-5)
149 – Alek Martin (4-3) or Daniel Kimball (9-2)
157 – #16 Cael Swensen (4-3)
165 – #31 Tanner Cook (3-2)
174 – #4 Cade DeVos (8-0)
184 – #23 Bennett Berge (4-1)
197 – #6 Tanner Sloan (7-1)
285 – Luke Rasmussen (6-3) or Bowen McConville (5-2)
