CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- No. 22 Illinois wrestling won its second straight Big Ten dual with a 31-9 victory over Purdue on Saturday night. Danny Pucino and No. 11 Danny Braunagel executed second-period falls and three other Illini added bonus points, including No. 10 Edmond Ruth's 18th straight victory, as the Illini improved to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in conference.

In addition to the two pins, the Illini were tough on top up and down the lineup tonight, tallying 12 minutes, 26 seconds of combined ride time across the five victories that didn't end in a fall. 184-pounder Dylan Connell led the team with 3:44 of ride time, besting Zac Braunagel's 3:23 at 197 pounds.

For the second match in a row, sophomore Danny Pucino fired up the State Farm Center crowd with a pin, this time upsetting Purdue's 12th-ranked 141 pounder. After Pucino and #12 Parker Filius fought through a scoreless first period, Pucino put the Boilermaker on his back fewer than 30 seconds into the second period and finished the pin at 3:35.

Not to be outdone, No. 11 Danny Braunagel added a pin of his own at 165 pounds. After giving up a quick takedown to start the match, Braunagel escaped and got to his offense with a takedown and rode out Stoney Buell to finish the opening period. Like Pucino, Braunagel was able to get his opponent to succumb early in the second period, as Danny earned the six points with the fall 62 seconds into the second period.

In addition to the two pins, the Illini earned bonus points at 133-, 149-, 174- and 197-pounds. No. 10 Lucas Byrd used five takedowns and a reversal en route to a 13-4 major decision, while Jake Harrier won by eight points (10-2) with three takedowns and a two-point near fall at 149 pounds.

After Danny Braunagel's pin at 165, No. 10 Ruth led from start to finish on his way to a 12-4 major decision (1:39 ride time) for his 18th straight victory and 20th overall this season. Following a steady 9-2 decision from Dylan Connell at 184 pounds paced by nearly four minutes of ride time, #12 Zac Braunagel continued Illinois' dominance on top with over three minutes of riding time of his own and four near-fall points en route to a 19-6 major decision.

Up Next
The Fighting Illini will travel to in-state rival Northwestern for a 7 p.m. dual on Friday, January 20, before returning to State Farm Center next Sunday against Maryland at 2 p.m.

FULL RESULTS