CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No.11 Illinois wrestling team has a big weekend ahead of them as they open their Big Ten dual season on Friday Dec. 6 in the inaugural Big Ten Takedown in Indianapolis against No. 28 Indiana, before traveling to Edwardsville, Ill. to compete in the Cougar Clash on Saturday Dec. 7. Fans can watch Friday's action live on BTN at 4 p.m. and watch Saturday's competition on FloWrestling at 10 a.m. CT.
The Fighting Illini grapplers took home their fifth dual win of the season with their 24-14 triumph over No. 23 North Carolina on Monday, Nov. 25. The Orange and Blue's 5-0 dual record marks their best start to a season since the 2015-16 squad opened the year with eight straight wins. Â
No. 2 at 133 pounds redshirt senior Lucas Byrd got the scoring started for the Illini against the Tar Heels with his 9-1 major decision win over No. 15 Ethan Oakley (UNC). No. 24 at 165 pounds redshirt freshman Braeden Scoles turned the tides for Illinois with his 25-8 (7:00) tech. fall win over Nicholas Fea (UNC), followed by No. 16 at 174 pounds redshirt senior Danny Braunagel who made it back-to-back tech. falls as he dominated Nolan O'Boyle (UNC), 20-3 (5:17). The Illini victory was eventually sealed by No. 10 at 197 pounds redshirt senior Zac Braunagel's 13-3 major decision win over Cade Lautt (UNC).Â
Scouting the Opponent
Indiana holds a 4-0 dual record this season with wins over Cal Baptist (34-4), Cal Poly (31-11), Central Michigan (17-16), and Columbia (23-21). The last meeting between Illinois and IU was on Feb. 6, 2021, when the Illini beat the Hoosiers 36-3 at Huff Hall. This will be the 93rd meeting between the two programs dating back to 1911 where the Orange and Blue own a 50-41-1 advantage in the series.Â
 A squad of 11 wrestlers will head west to Edwardsville to compete in the cougar clash: Brian Beers, Ryan Bennett, Kole Brower, Jayden Colon, Dylan Connell, Caden Ernd, Charlie Fifield, Jake Harrier, Jackson Herman, Marko Ivanisevic and Joey Ruzic.Â
Notes
- The Fighting Illini grapplers have started 5-0 in dual action with 20+ points scored in each win for the first time since the 2015-16 season when they started 8-0 scoring 20+ points in each win.
- Eight separate Illinois starters have scored double digit dual points for the team.
- Two Illinois starters have perfect 8-0 records to start the year: Lucas Byrd and Braeden Scoles.
- Braden Scoles leads the team in falls with three and dual points with 28.
- Has won seven of his matches by bonus points: three pins, three tech. falls and a major decision.
- Zac Braunagel owns a 6-2 record and ranks second on the team in dual points with 20.
- His six wins have all come in bonus point fashion: one pin, three tech. falls and a major decision.
- Jason Kraisser, Kannon Webster, and Lucas Byrd are tied for third on the team in dual points with 18.
- Luke Luffman ranks sixth on the team in dual points with 17.
- Danny Pucino and Danny Braunagel are the final starters in double digit dual points with 14 and 13, respectively.
