On a four-match winning streak, the No. 6 Nebraska wrestling team (9-1, 4-1 Big Ten) will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday afternoon at the Devaney Center. The dual is set for 2 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
Prior to the matchup, the Huskers will welcome youth wrestlers around the state for the Nebraska USAW District Duals Finals. Action is slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. (CT) with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. (CT).
Illinois (3-5, 0-2 Big Ten) enters Sunday’s dual with two-straight losses to Big Ten foes, Ohio State (36-6) and Iowa (36-6). Before coming to Lincoln, the Fighting Illini will face Michigan State on Friday night. Illinois’ projected lineup features six wrestlers inside the Top 33 of their weight class: No. 33 Tony Madrigal (133), No. 27 Danny Pucino (141), No. 8 Kannon Webster (149), No. 30 Chris Moore (165), No. 9 Edmond Ruth (174) and No. 28 Dylan Connell (184).
Six of the 10 bouts will potentially feature ranked matchups. Nine Huskers enter the weekend ranked, led by No. 1 Ridge Lovett (149), No. 3 Lenny Pinto (184), No. 7 Brock Hardy (141) and No. 9 Peyton Robb (157). This group boasts a collective 27-7 record and has scored 111 dual points for the Big Red this season.
History: Nebraska leads the all-time series against Illinois, 10-4 with the first meeting between the teams dating back to 1939. Most recently, the Huskers defeated the Fighting Illini last season in Illinois, 27-19.
Last Time Out: The Huskers earned three bonus-point victories and won seven bouts overall as NU defeated No. 21 Wisconsin 28-9 on Sunday afternoon.
Up Next: NU will close out home dual competition on Friday, Feb. 9 as they host Michigan. Action is slated to begin at 6 p.m. (CT) and will be aired on BTN.
Nebraska’s Projected Lineup:
125 – No. 15 Caleb Smith (15-5) or Alan Koehler (3-1)
133 – No. 17 Jake Van Dee (15-5) or Kyle Burwick (3-3)
141 – No. 7 Brock Hardy (12-5) or Blake Cushing (13-3)
149 – No. 1 Ridge Lovett (19-0)
157 – No. 9 Peyton Robb (14-4) or Ethan Stiles (15-2)
165 – No. 17 Antrell Taylor (14-4)
174 – No. 33 Bubba Wilson (11-7) or Christopher Minto (12-3)
184 – No. 3 Lenny Pinto (15-3)
197 – No. 14 Silas Allred (17-4)
HWT – Harley Andrews (10-9) or Nash Hutmacher (3-1)
Illinois’ Projected Lineup:
125 – Justin Cardani (2-6)
133 – No. 33 Tony Madrigal (1-3)
141 – No. 27 Danny Pucino (8-6)
149 – Jake Harrier (2-6) or No. 8 Kannon Webster (12-1)
157 – Joe Roberts (5-5) or Braeden Scoles (6-3)
165 – No. 30 Chris Moore (7-6)
174 – No. 9 Edmond Ruth (12-2)
184 – No. 28 Dylan Connell (4-4)
197 – Isiah Pettigrew (5-6) or Chase Waggoner (2-6)
285 – Peter Marinopoulos (4-2)
