CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 11 Illinois dropped their final Big Ten dual of the season to No. 8 Nebraska at State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon, 25-9. Lucas Byrd, Danny Braunagel, and Luke Luffman each earned match wins on the afternoon. The Illini are now 5-3 on the season following Sunday's defeat.
Justin Cardani took a 2-1 lead into the second period and earned a quick escape to open up the second period to extend his lead to 3-1. Nebraska's Liam Cronin would earn a takedown as time expired in the second period to knot the score at 3 heading into the final period. Cardani ended up losing by decision in a competitive 4-3 match to begin the afternoon.
Lucas Byrd earned a reversal and a takedown to pick up four points early in the first period. The exciting 133-pound bout ended in a 10-8 decision for the Illini sophomore who improves to an impressive 7-1 on the season. After the first two matches, Illinois and Nebraska were knotted at 3.
Senior Dylan Duncan found himself in a low-scoring battle with Nebraska's Chad Red, earning an escape midway through the second period for the first point of the bout. Duncan would end up losing in a 4-3 decision after a Nebraska challenge took away a Duncan takedown late in the third period.
Freshman Danny Pucino filled in for an injured Mike Carr at 149 and lost by tech fall, 20-5. Illini trailed the Huskers 11-3 after the 149-pound bout. Luke Odom picked up a takedown in the third period over Nebraska's Caleb Licking, but would ultimately lose the match, 10-4.
Danny Braunagel would earn a takedown as time expired in the second period, followed by an escape to go up 7-6 early in the third period. The exciting 165-pound bout resulted in a 9-6 decision for Braunagel, who remains undefeated and is now 5-0 in Big Ten duals this season.
At 174-pounds, Trey Sizemore lost by major decision, 17-6. Following the match, Illini trailed the Huskers, 18-6 with three matches to go. Zac Braunagel would lose the 184-pound bout by major decision, 12-1. Junior Matt Wroblewski battled with Nebraska's top-ranked Eric Schultz, but would lose by decision, 4-1.
Luke Luffman started the second period of the heavyweight bout on bottom and picked up the escape to go up 1-0 early in the second period. The thrilling match would end up going to four overtime periods, ending in a 4-2 decision for Luffman following a takedown in the fourth overtime. Luffman improves to 6-2 on the season after the win.
FULL RESULTS
125: Liam Cronin (NEB) over Justin Cardani (ILL) (Dec 4-3)
133: Lucas Byrd (ILL) over Tucker Sjomeling (NEB) (Dec 10-8)
141: Chad Red (NEB) over Dylan Duncan (ILL) (Dec 4-3)
149: Ridge Lovett (NEB) over Danny Pucino (ILL) (TF 20-5 0:00)
157: Caleb Licking (NEB) over Luke Odom (ILL) (Dec 10-4)
165: Danny Braunagel (ILL) over Peyton Robb (NEB) (Dec 9-6)
174: Mikey Labriola (NEB) over Trey Sizemore (ILL) (MD 17-6)
184: Taylor Venz (NEB) over Zac Braunagel (ILL) (MD 12-1)
197: Eric Schultz (NEB) over Matt Wroblewski (ILL) (Dec 4-1)
HWT: Luke Luffman (ILL) over Christian Lance (NEB) (Dec 4-2)
EXTRAS
125: Jerimiah Reno (NEB) over Josh Contreras (ILL) (Fall 6:57)
133: Edwin Thomsen (NEB) over We Rachal (ILL) (Dec 3-2)
149: Brock Hardy (NEB) over Andrew Cohen (ILL) (Fall 4:58)
197: Brandyn Van Tassel (NEB) over Isiah Pettigrew (ILL) (Fall 2:39)
UP NEXT
No. 11 Illinois will travel to State College, Pa. for the Big Ten Championships on March 6-7, followed by the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo., which will take place March 18-20.
