Huskers Blank Ducks, 44-0

Lincoln -- The Nebraska wrestling team rebounded from its first loss of the season to post its third shutout of the year over Oregon, 44-0, Saturday night at the NU Coliseum in front of 471 fans. With the win, NU improves to 9-1 on the season, while Oregon drops to 0-3.

Of NU’s ten wins, six earned the Huskers bonus points, led by the return of top-ranked and undefeated Jason Powell at 125 pounds. Powell, who missed the Minnesota dual with the flu, scored his 11th victory of the season and 15th in row over Jacob Boyles via technical fall, 21-5.

"It felt really good to get back on the mat, "Powell said. "I’m just happy that everybody put the Minnesota loss behind them."

In the only match featuring two ranked wrestlers, redshirt freshman and 18th-ranked Matt Keller added to his team lead in wins with No. 17,  defeating 16th-ranked Jason Harless, 9-3, at 133 pounds.

"Before the match, I thought to myself, this guy is ranked higher than me," Keller said. "The easiest way for me to move up in the rankings is to beat the guys ahead of me."

Other Husker bonus winners included B.J. Padden, who recorded his eighth fall of the season over Jake Leair at the 2:27 mark in the first period at 197 pounds. 13th-ranked Nathan McClain scored his seventh major decision of the season over Cody Parker, 14-4 at heavyweight and  Travis Shufelt extended his winning streak to 15 matches, defeating Cyle Hartzel by fall at the 3:56 mark in 149 pounds.

Third-ranked Travis Pascoe used a dominating performance to record a technical fall over Dustin Fisher, 17-2 at 184 pounds. while Junior B.J. Wright won his match via forfeit at 157 pounds.

The remaining Huskers winners included 13th-ranked Matt Murray, a 6-2 winner over Skyler Woodsat 141 pounds and  Jacob Klein, who rebounded from a loss to defeat Luke Larwin, 6-2 at 165 pounds. Finally, James Pummel defeated Chet McBee, 10-7 at 174 pounds.

"I know we were going to respond after a heartbreaking loss against Minnesota," Nebraska Coach Mark Manning said. "It was just a matter of our attitude and the energy level we put out."

The Huskers return to action, next Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 10-11, when they travel to Hampton, Vir. for the 2004 Virginia Duals.

#3 Nebraska 44, Oregon 0
197 #13 B.J. Padden (NU) by fall over Jake Leair (OU), 2:27 NU 6, OU 0
HWT #13 Nathan McClain (NU) by major decision over CodyParker (UO), 14-4 NU 10, UO 0
125 #1 Jason Powell (NU) by technical fall over Jacob Boyles (UO), 21-5 NU 15, UO 0
133 #18 Matt Keller (NU) by decision over #16 Jason Harless (UO), 9-3 NU 18, UO 0
141 #13 Matt Murray (NU) by decision over Skyler Woods (UO), 6-2 NU 21, UO 0
149 #4 Travis Shufelt (NU) wins by fall over Cyle Hartzell (UO); 3:56 NU 27, UO 0
15 #17 B.J. Wright wins by forfeit NU 33,UO 0
165 #15 Jacob Klein (NU) by decision over Luke Larwin (UO), 6-2 NU 36, UO 0
174 James Pummel (NU) by decision over Chet McBee (UO), 10-7 NU 39, UO 0
184 #3 Travis Pascoe (NU) by technical fall over Dustin Fisher (UO), 17-2 NU 44, UO 0