STILLWATER, Okla. — A string of four consecutive victories against No. 6 Ohio State wasn't enough to pull the No. 8 Nebraska wrestling team out of an 18-0 hole in the second round of the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals.
The Huskers fell 21-18 on Sunday.
The Huskers, who defeated Ohio State earlier in the season, dropped to 14-4 on the year, while Ohio State improved to 13-3 and earned the chance to face No. 1 Oklahoma State in the regional final Sunday night.
Trailing by 18 points after dropping the first four matches of the dual, true freshman James Green (157 pounds) began a furious Husker rally with his 5-3 decision over No. 20 Josh Demas. Green recorded a takedown in each of the first two periods and only allowed three escape points in the victory.
With the win, the seventh-ranked Green moved into a tie for No. 10 on Nebraska's single season list for victories by a freshman with Justin Ruiz, who recorded 27 in 2001-02.
Green is 27-4 on the year and has defeated five nationally-ranked opponents.
Redshirt freshman Robert Kokesh (165) gave the Huskers two consecutive victories after taking down Derek Garcia by decision, 7-2.
The sixth-ranked Kokesh fell behind 2-0 after surrendering an early takedown, but was dominant from that point on, recording two takedowns of his own and shutting Garcia out.
Tyler Koehn (174) cut the Buckeye lead to 18-9 in dramatic fashion by upsetting No. 7 Nick Heflin by decision, 3-1. No. 20 Koehn and Heflin entered the final period tied 1-1. The Pittsburg, Kan., native was able to record a takedown with just 25 seconds remaining in the match to secure his third victory over a ranked opponent this season.
No. 8 Josh Ihnen (184) pulled the Huskers within striking distance of OSU, shutting out No. 11 Cody Magrum, 5-0. The junior took down Magrum just over 50 seconds into the first period and also gained a stalling point on Magrum to earn a 3-0 advantage and cruised to the victory.
The Huskers’ string of four consecutive victories was broken when No. 20 Andrew Campolattano defeated redshirt freshman Spencer Johnson (197), who was wrestling in the second varsity dual of his career.
Johnson and Campolattano entered the third period tied 2-2, before the Buckeye wrestler was able to earn a reversal and pull ahead 4-2. He held on for the win after a stalling point was awarded to Johnson. The loss put the dual out of reach for the Huskers.
The Huskers return to the mat for their last regular-season dual against Northern Iowa on Sunday at the NU Coliseum.
Official results:
125: Johnni DiJulius (OSU) by tech. fall over Shawn Nagel (NU), 20-5 (NU 0, OSU 5); 133: Logan Stieber (OSU) by major dec. over Ridge Kiley (NU), 16-3 (NU 0, OSU 9); 141: Hunter Stieber (OSU) by dec. over #9 Jake Sueflohn (NU), 8-7 (NU 0, OSU 12); 149: Cam Tessari (OSU) by fall over Brandon Wilbourn (NU), 4:33 (NU 0, OSU 18); 157: James Green (NU) by dec. over Josh Demas (OSU), 5-3 (NU 3, OSU 18); 165: Robert Kokesh (NU) by dec. over Derek Garcia (OSU), 7-2 (NU 6, OSU 18); 174: Tyler Koehn (NU) by dec. over Nick Heflin (OSU), 3-1 (NU 9, OSU 18); 184: Josh Ihnen (NU) by dec. over Cody Magrum (OSU), 5-0 (NU 12, OSU 18); 197: Andrew Campolattano (OSU) by dec. over Spencer Johnson (NU), 4-3 (NU 12, OSU 21); Hwt: Tucker Lane (NU) by pin over Peter Capone (OSU), 2:02 (NU 18, OSU 21).
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