Bison Drop Opening Dual to Nebraska 31-12 - NDSU (2024)

Zachary Lucy

Wrestling 11/4/2023 5:50:00 PM

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State wrestling dropped its season opening dual on Saturday, Nov. 4, falling to No. 5/9 Nebraska 31-12 at the Scheels Center.

The Bison picked up three victories in the dual, led by an upset at 174 pounds, as Gaven Sax took down #20 Elise Brown Ton, and a fall at heavyweight, as Devon Dawson scored bonus points in his Bison debut. Gavin Drexler scored the other victory for the Bison, claiming a win at 141 pounds.

Drexler had the first victory of the afternoon, as he defeated Blake Cushing by a 9-4 decision in the 141-pound match. Following a takedown by Cushing in the first and an escape in the second to fall behind 4-1, Drexler scored the remaining points of the match. He tied the dual at 4-4 with a takedown and a ride out in the second period. He then picked up an escape and later another takedown before tacking on a riding time point for the 9-4 decision.

Sax would scoop up the second win for the Bison, and like Drexler, also came from behind after giving up an early takedown in the first. After a neutral and scoreless second, Sax trailed 3-1 in the third, but scored a reversal to start the period before earning a four-point nearfall and eventually a riding time point to pick up the third ranked win of his career with an 8-3 decision.

Dawson capped off the dual in style for the Bison as he won a battle at heavyweight before securing a fall at 6:20 to defeat Harley Andrews. Dawson had the early takedown, but also gave up a takedown in the first period. After giving up a reversal to start the second, Dawson trailed 6-4, but responded with a takedown to hold an 8-7 lead headed to the third. Dawson would then record an escape before securing a takedown near the edge of the mat as he converted it into a fall to cap his Bison debut.

Carlos Negrete Jr. and Fernando Barreto would drop the opening matches for the Bison, falling at 125 and 133 pounds. Negrete had a reversal midway through the second, but gave up late takedowns in the second and third to fall 9-5. Barreto gave up a takedown early and riding time in the opening period in the main difference in his 5-1 defeat.

Nebraska would pick up bonus points in the final two matches of the first half, followed by a pin to start the second half. #12 Kellyn March fell by a 11-1 major decision to #1 Ridge Lovett at 149. #3 Peyton Robb then secured an 18-3 tech fall over Landen Johnson at 157. Antrell Taylor picked up a first period fall over Brendan Howes at 165.

Nebraska clinched the dual at 184, as #9 Lenny Pinto picked up the second of three tech falls with a win over Bison freshman Aidan Brenot making his collegiate debut. #7 Silas Allred would then secure a tech fall over Spencer Mooberry, 20-4 to cap Nebraska's victories.

Bison wrestling will remain at home as North Dakota State welcomes in several programs for the 52^nd annual Bison Open wrestling tournament on Saturday, Nov. 11. The event is set to get underway at 9 a.m. inside the Scheels Center.

Full Results:
Nebraska 31, North Dakota State 12
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 | Scheels Center | Fargo, N.D. | Attendance: 557
125: #14 Caleb Smith (NEB) over Carlos Negrete Jr (NDSU); Dec 9-5
133: #30 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) over Fernando Barreto (NDSU); Dec 5-1
141: Gavin Drexler (NDSU) over Blake Cushing (NEB); Dec 9-4
149: #1 Ridge Lovett (NEB) over #12 Kellyn March (NDSU); MD 11-1
157: #3 Peyton Robb (NEB) over Landen Johnson (NDSU); TF 18-3 6:50
165: Antrell Taylor (NEB) over Brendan Howes (NDSU); Fall 2:28
174: Gaven Sax (NDSU) over #20 Elise Brown Ton (NEB); Dec 8-3
184: #9 Lenny Pinto (NEB) over Aidan Brenot (NDSU); TF 19-4 6:25
197: #7 Silas Allred (NEB) over Spencer Mooberry (NDSU); TF 20-4 5:24
285: Devon Dawson (NDSU) over Harley Andrews (NEB); Fall 6:20