Indiana University Athletics
Friday, January 27
Evanston, Ill.
8 PM
Indiana University
at
Northwestern
Wrestling Readies for Big Ten Weekend Double
1/26/2017 7:21:00 PM | Wrestling
Weekend Notes (PDF)IU vs. NW: BTN PlusIU vs. NW: TrackIU vs. NW: TicketsIU vs. NEB: BTN PlusIU vs. NEB: Track
Jackson headlines with pair of top-20 rematches
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For the first time this season, the Indiana Hoosiers will face two Big Ten meets in the same weekend. The dual action, starting in Welsh-Ryan arena against Northwestern before ending at home with No. 5 Nebraska, features several rematches from the 54th Midlands Championships.
None will be more captivating than the slate ahead for IU's sixth-ranked Nate Jackson, where a return to the mat against No. 20 Mitch Sliga precedes a highly-anticipated second bout with No. 3 T.J. Dudley. At 125 lbs., the weekend could conclude with No. 19 Elijah Oliver facing No. 5 Tim Lambert. Oliver and Lambert last met at the 2016 Big Ten Championships, with the Nebraska lightweight taking the match win. Additionally, No. 20 Devin Skatzka (174) will face Nebraska's Micah Barnes for the second time this year, after earning a 1:48 pin at #Midlands54.
Both meets will stream live on BTN2Go.com, with live bout-by-bout scoring on TrackWrestling.
Hoosier Notes:
Last Time: Grappling the Gophers
In their most recent action, the Hoosiers played host to a dual with the No. 11 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Indiana suffered a 28-9 setback in the dual meet score, but three Hoosiers scored important dual wins with future seeding implications.
Chris Perez (149) got Indiana on the scoreboard with a 4-2 decision to continue an unbeaten start to his first Big Ten dual season. Devin Skatzka (174) followed with his 11-8 decision over Chris Pfarr. Nate Jackson (184) ended the day with his 94th career win, a 10-4 decision against Bobby Steveson.
Five in First Coaches Poll
With the unveiling of the first ranking period by the NWCA, it was announced that five Hoosiers currently sit in the top 33 of their respective weight classes. Elijah Oliver (#30 at 125) and Nate Jackson (#7 at 184) are back in the rankings after qualifying for last year's NCAA Championships; Devin Skatzka (#17 at 174), after his fifth-place finish at Midlands, received his first spot in the ranking period.
Two other sophomore standouts made the cut at their weights. Jake Danishek (#27 at 157) entered the rankings after his first career ranked win last weekend, and Bryce Martin (#30 at 165) earned a spot after his 12-3 start to the year.
Series History
The Hoosiers enter the dual with Northwestern leading the overall series, 45-32-4. Indiana won the first 18 meetings before the Wildcats scored a dual win in 1953, but Northwestern has taken the last five meets. Indiana seeks their first win at Northwestern since January 24, 2010.
Since Nebraska didn't join the Big Ten Conference until 2011, this will only be the 18th meeting all-time between the Hoosiers and Huskers, their fourth as Big Ten foes. Nebraska leads the series, 13-5, and they haven't given up a loss to IU since joining the Big Ten.
It Comes Down to This…
The Hoosier grapplers are at a crucial juncture in the season. Wrestlers on the bubble have just six meets remaining before the postseason, all of which come against teams in the Big Ten. Half of Indiana's dual lineup hope to maintain the course after landing in the top 33 of the first rankings release. The other half need wins from important matches down the stretch to bolster their tournament résumés.
Up Next: At Maryland/Rutgers
Following the home dual with Nebraska, Indiana sets off on their first two-dual away weekend of the Big Ten slate. It begins Friday, Feburary 3 at Maryland before the Hoosiers head up the coast to rumble with No. 11 Rutgers.
The Hoosiers scored a 26-13 dual win during their first-ever meeting with the Terrapins last season. The Scarlet Knights took a 30-9 dual win in Bloomington last year, breaking a brief tie in the series for a 2-1 overall lead. The meet will be Indiana's first trip to Rutgers since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten.
Keep it Locked on #IUWR
Fans can follow the happenings of Indiana Wrestling this season on Twitter and Facebook at the handle @IUWrestling, along with the hashtag #IUWR.
Fans can gain first access to probable starters, weekly award announcements, and more on social media and at IUHoosiers.com.
Back Points…
• As a team, the Hoosiers have an 161-109 (.596) record this season with 29 major decisions, 14 tech falls, and 40 wins by fall. They've conceded 9 pins.
• Nate Jackson picked up his 94th career win over Minnesota's Bobby Steveson, climbing closer to the milestone 100-win mark.
• Jackson leads the Hoosiers in total takedowns (102), riding time points awarded (10), and bonus point wins (15).
• Elijah Oliver (125), Jake Danishek (157), Norman Conley (197) and Chris Perez (149) haven't conceded back points to their opponents this season.
• Sunday's dual against Nebraska marks the first meeting for assistant coach Travis Pascoe against his alumni. Pascoe wrestled at 184 lbs. from 2000-2005 for the Huskers, reaching four NCAA Championships with an All-American (6th) honor in his senior year.
None will be more captivating than the slate ahead for IU's sixth-ranked Nate Jackson, where a return to the mat against No. 20 Mitch Sliga precedes a highly-anticipated second bout with No. 3 T.J. Dudley. At 125 lbs., the weekend could conclude with No. 19 Elijah Oliver facing No. 5 Tim Lambert. Oliver and Lambert last met at the 2016 Big Ten Championships, with the Nebraska lightweight taking the match win. Additionally, No. 20 Devin Skatzka (174) will face Nebraska's Micah Barnes for the second time this year, after earning a 1:48 pin at #Midlands54.
Both meets will stream live on BTN2Go.com, with live bout-by-bout scoring on TrackWrestling.
Hoosier Notes:
Last Time: Grappling the Gophers
In their most recent action, the Hoosiers played host to a dual with the No. 11 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Indiana suffered a 28-9 setback in the dual meet score, but three Hoosiers scored important dual wins with future seeding implications.
Chris Perez (149) got Indiana on the scoreboard with a 4-2 decision to continue an unbeaten start to his first Big Ten dual season. Devin Skatzka (174) followed with his 11-8 decision over Chris Pfarr. Nate Jackson (184) ended the day with his 94th career win, a 10-4 decision against Bobby Steveson.
Five in First Coaches Poll
With the unveiling of the first ranking period by the NWCA, it was announced that five Hoosiers currently sit in the top 33 of their respective weight classes. Elijah Oliver (#30 at 125) and Nate Jackson (#7 at 184) are back in the rankings after qualifying for last year's NCAA Championships; Devin Skatzka (#17 at 174), after his fifth-place finish at Midlands, received his first spot in the ranking period.
Two other sophomore standouts made the cut at their weights. Jake Danishek (#27 at 157) entered the rankings after his first career ranked win last weekend, and Bryce Martin (#30 at 165) earned a spot after his 12-3 start to the year.
Series History
The Hoosiers enter the dual with Northwestern leading the overall series, 45-32-4. Indiana won the first 18 meetings before the Wildcats scored a dual win in 1953, but Northwestern has taken the last five meets. Indiana seeks their first win at Northwestern since January 24, 2010.
Since Nebraska didn't join the Big Ten Conference until 2011, this will only be the 18th meeting all-time between the Hoosiers and Huskers, their fourth as Big Ten foes. Nebraska leads the series, 13-5, and they haven't given up a loss to IU since joining the Big Ten.
It Comes Down to This…
The Hoosier grapplers are at a crucial juncture in the season. Wrestlers on the bubble have just six meets remaining before the postseason, all of which come against teams in the Big Ten. Half of Indiana's dual lineup hope to maintain the course after landing in the top 33 of the first rankings release. The other half need wins from important matches down the stretch to bolster their tournament résumés.
Up Next: At Maryland/Rutgers
Following the home dual with Nebraska, Indiana sets off on their first two-dual away weekend of the Big Ten slate. It begins Friday, Feburary 3 at Maryland before the Hoosiers head up the coast to rumble with No. 11 Rutgers.
The Hoosiers scored a 26-13 dual win during their first-ever meeting with the Terrapins last season. The Scarlet Knights took a 30-9 dual win in Bloomington last year, breaking a brief tie in the series for a 2-1 overall lead. The meet will be Indiana's first trip to Rutgers since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten.
Keep it Locked on #IUWR
Fans can follow the happenings of Indiana Wrestling this season on Twitter and Facebook at the handle @IUWrestling, along with the hashtag #IUWR.
Fans can gain first access to probable starters, weekly award announcements, and more on social media and at IUHoosiers.com.
Back Points…
• As a team, the Hoosiers have an 161-109 (.596) record this season with 29 major decisions, 14 tech falls, and 40 wins by fall. They've conceded 9 pins.
• Nate Jackson picked up his 94th career win over Minnesota's Bobby Steveson, climbing closer to the milestone 100-win mark.
• Jackson leads the Hoosiers in total takedowns (102), riding time points awarded (10), and bonus point wins (15).
• Elijah Oliver (125), Jake Danishek (157), Norman Conley (197) and Chris Perez (149) haven't conceded back points to their opponents this season.
• Sunday's dual against Nebraska marks the first meeting for assistant coach Travis Pascoe against his alumni. Pascoe wrestled at 184 lbs. from 2000-2005 for the Huskers, reaching four NCAA Championships with an All-American (6th) honor in his senior year.
Players Mentioned
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