University of Missouri
Nebraska
Missouri Drops to Fourth Ranked Nebraska
1/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 24, 2004
Lincoln, Neb. - Taking on the fourth-ranked Nebraska wrestling team, third-ranked Missouri dropped their second Big 12 loss of the season in the NU Coliseum (23-13) in front of a crowd of 1372. Senior Jeremy Spates, redshirt freshman Ben Askren and senior Kenny Burleson recorded Missouri's only wins of the evening.
Recognized by many as the hardest fought match in the Nebraska, Missouri dual, senior captain Jeremy Spates (149, No. 6) knocked off third-ranked Travis Shufelt with a 6-4 decision. Nebraska's Shufelt entered the match with a perfect 22-0 season record that included a win over Spates earlier in the season at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 6 (fall, 5:29). Scoring the first takedown at 1:55 in the first period, Spates had a reversal in the second, followed by a takedown in the third. Shufelt was only able to manage four escapes.
Redshirt freshmen Ben Askren (174) scored his 11th fall of the season, dropping Nebraska's James Pummel in 4:29. Askren found two, three point nearfalls before finally landing Pummel on his back. Askren currently leds the nation at 174-pounds with falls on the season.
Wrestling at 157-pounds, fifth-ranked Kenny Burleson met in the center circle with 14th-ranked Matt Murray, taking the first major decision of the dual (11-2) and giving the Tigers a four point team lead (7-3). Totaling three takedowns for six points, Burleson recorded a reversal in the second period and a two-point nearfall in the third. A final point was awarded at the conclusion of the match for riding time, bringing the final score to 11-2.
Senior J.P. Reese (141, No. 9) was the first Missouri wrestler to step onto the scarlet colored Nebraska mat, pairing with Nebraska's 12th-ranked Matt Murray. In a 5-1 decision, Reese was unable to hold off his opponent, gaining only one point through a warning call in the third period. Murray scored his points through an escape, followed with a takedown and two point nearfall.
Junior All-American Tyron Woodley found his match decided with a final point of riding time. Closing the third period tied at two, 18th-ranked Jacob Klein held onto 1:23 of riding time to win the match 3-2.
With the scoreboard reading 13-7 in favor of Missouri, redshirt freshman Matt Pell took a shot at the Cornhusker's third-ranked Travis Pascoe. His highest ranked opponent of the season, Pell lost the battle in a 10-5 decision, with takedowns and escapes exchanged in the final four minutes of competition.
Sophomore Jeff Foust (197) took the mat for the seventh match of the evening, meeting with third-ranked B.J. Padden. In an 11-2 major decision, Foust's loss allowed Nebraska to tie the team points 13-13.
Closing out the upper-weights senior transfer Mike Whitehead battled with 11th-ranked Nathan McClain at heavyweight. Whitehead was unable to pull the Tigers out of their two loss streak, falling to McClain in an 8-1 decision.
Sophomore Austin DeVoe found his competition in No. 1 ranked Jason Powell. With no points scored in the first period, Powell chose top and took a full two minutes of riding time. In DeVoe's option, the two opponents started the third period at neutral, and were unable to score points. Powell took the 1-0 win with riding time.
Junior Paul Collum closed out the dual with the Tigers sixth straight loss in a 10-1 major decision. The loss brought the final score to 23-19, giving Missouri their second straight loss.
Missouri will head home for a dual against Lindenwood Friday, Jan. 30 in the Hearnes Center Arena.
Weight: Wrestler over Wrestler Team Points 125: (#1)Jason Powell (NU) decision Austin DeVoe (MU):1-0 MU 13 NU 19 133: (#12) Matt Keller (MU) major decision (#11) Paul Collum (MU) 10-1 MU 13 NU 23 141: (#9) (#12) Matt Murray (NU) decision J.P. Reese (MU): 5-1 MU 0 NU 3 149: (#6) Jeremy Spates (MU) (#3) decision Travis Shufelt (NU): 6-4 MU 3 NU 3 157: (#5) Kenny Burleson (MU) major decision (#14) B.J. Wright (NU): 11-2 MU 7 NU 3 165: (#18) Jacob Klein (NU) decision (#7) Tyron Woodley (MU): 3-2 MU 7 NU 6 174: (#6) Ben Askren (MU) fall James Pummel (NU): 4:29 MU 13 NU 6 184: (#3) Travis Pascoe (NU)decision (#10) Matt Pell (MU): 10-5 MU 13 NU 9 197: (#3) B.J. Padden (NU) major decision (#8) Jeff Foust (MU): 11-2 MU 13 NU 13 HWT: (#11) Nathan McClain (NU) decision (#9) Mike Whitehead (MU): 8-1 MU 13 NU 16
