The Tigers continue their streak of tough duals at the Hustle in the Heartland at Francis Howell High School. First they’ll take on Long Island while Nebraska wrestles Brown. Then they’ll face off in another top ten opponent for the Tigers. Nebraska was a surprise trophy team last year, going on a run to finish 2nd with two National champs and eight All-Americans. They return All-Americans at 133, 141, 157, 174, 184, and 197 along with transfers at 149 and 285.
They were the #2 seed at National Duals but ended up finishing 4th with some surprising upsets. They have injury questions at 125, 133, 157, and 165 as well. The Tigers have injury questions themselves with Max Mayfield and Cam Steed. Missouri has a shot but it will take a mix of upsets and bonus points if they want to pull it off.
125lbs: #22 Mack Mauger (6-4) vs Kael Lauridsen (5-4)/Alan Koehler (6-6)
Two blue chip redshirt freshmen kick this dual off with Mauger looking to stay hot and Lauridsen trying to break a four match losing streak. In Lauridsen’s losing streak however are two overtime losses and a loss up at 133. He has some solid wins but no ranked ones so far this year. He’s tough to score on and solid in scrambles. Lauridsen was injured at National Duals so Alan Koehler could step into his place. Koehler is similar and has had close matches with highly ranked opponents.
Mauger avenged a loss against Illinois’ last time out and has shown continuous improvement early in this season. He’s also shown a good pinning ability, looking for cradles off his single leg. While that could come into play here I have him getting a solid workmanlike decision where the score may be closer than the match showed against either opponent.
Prediction: Mack Mauger Dec. Kael Lauridsen (MIZ 3 NEB 0)
133lbs: #17 Kade Moore (7-4) vs #7 Jacob Van Dee (5-1)/Hayden Mills (4-3)
Moore potentially gets his fourth match against a top eight opponent early in the season here. Van Dee is a returning 7th place All-American and was having a strong season but only competed in Nebraska’s first dual at National Duals. Head Coach Mark Manning said afterwards that Van Dee could have gone but they didn’t want to risk it so it seems likely that he starts here. Their main backup Omar Ayoub was also injured so junior Hayden Mills could start in his stead.
