Huskers Host No. 4 Minnesota, Oregon State

#14 Nebraska (5-1) vs. #4 Minnesota (3-1)
NU Coliseum (4,030)• Lincoln, Neb.• Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010 • 7 p.m.
Series History: UM leads, 19-47-0
Last Meeting: UM won, 28-14, on Dec. 10, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Live Video: Flowrestling with in-match commentary from Mark Bader
Live video: Huskers.com
Live Stats:nwcaonline.com
*UNL Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night: All UNL Faculty and Staff will receive free admission with their ID.

#14 Nebraska (5-1) vs.  Oregon State (3-0-2)
NU Coliseum (4,030)• Lincoln, Neb.• Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010 • 7 p.m.
Series History: NU leads, 10-3
Last Meeting: OSU won, 32-7, on Jan. 24, 2010, in Corvallis, Ore.
Live video: Huskers.com
Live Stats: nwcaonline.com
*Youth Team Night: All youth 8th-grade and under who wear team apparel (t-shirt, sweatshirt or jacket) with their team name or logo will receive free admission.

   After a successful 2-0 road trip through Colorado and Wyoming, the Nebraska wrestling team returns to the NU Coliseum for two straight matches against No. 4 Minnesota and Oregon State. The Huskers, who jumped to No. 14 in the latest team rankings released by InterMat, will take on the Golden Gophers on Thursday, Dec. 9, before dualing Pac-10 foe Oregon State on Saturday, Dec. 11, at the NU Coliseum. Both matches are set to begin at 7 p.m.
   The Huskers will enter the match against the Gophers riding a five dual winning streak dating back to their second dual of the season against Ohio State on Nov. 21. Last weekend, NU made a road trip out west where they defeated the Northern Colorado Bears, 34-6, and the No. 14 Wyoming Cowboys, 20-12, to improve their record to 5-1. Nebraska is taking on their second straight nationally-ranked opponent and fourth overall. NU is 2-1 in duals against nationally ranked opponents this season.
   Minnesota enters the match on Thursday after dropping a tight dual to the No. 2 Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sunday, 17-16. The Gophers sport a 3-1 overall record, while boasting one of the deepest lineups in the country. Seven Minnesota wrestlers are nationally ranked at their respective weight classes, while five of them are ranked inside the top 10.
   Oregon State will also bring a talented lineup to Lincoln with five wrestlers nationally ranked. The Beavers own a 3-0-2 record so far this season, and claimed an impressive victory over Big 12 conference foe Missouri on Nov. 21.
   All faculty and staff who bring their ID to the door will receive free admission to Thursday's match against Minnesota, as the Husker wrestling program takes part in UNL Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night. Saturday night's match against Oregon State will be Youth Team Night at the NU Coliseum, with all youth 8th-grade and under who wear team apparel (t-shirt, sweatshirt or jacket) with their team name or logo will receive free admission.
   Live video for Thursday's match will be available at Flowrestling.com as part of their Big Live Duals Series, which offers some of the nation's top duals for free each and every week.  Commentary for Thursday's match will be provided by Flowrestling's Mark Bader. Free video is also available on Huskers.com. Video for Saturday's match will also be provided on Huskers.com. Live stats for both matches will be available at nwcaonline.com.

Scouting the Minnesota Gophers
   The fourth-ranked Minnesota Gophers will travel to Lincoln boasting one of the deepest lineups in the country with seven nationally ranked wrestlers, while five of those wrestlers are ranked inside the top 10 of their respective weight classes. The Gophers began their season by winning three straight matches, including a 21-17 victory over then-No. 9 Central Michigan. In their last match, Minnesota fell to 2nd-ranked Oklahoma State, 17-16, to give them their only loss of the season.
   At the 125-pound weight division, Minnesota returns two-time All-American Zach Sanders. Sanders has a 7-1 overall record so far this season and a 3-1 dual mark, while recording two falls, two technical falls and two major decision.
   The highest ranked wrestler for Minnesota comes at the 141-pound weight class, where 2010 All-American Mike Thorn holds the reigns. Thorn, the 2nd-ranked wrestler at 141-pounds, has a 13-0 record so far this season and has captured individual titles at the Bison Open and Kaufman-Brand open. Thorn is coming off an impressive 11-3 major decision victory over No. 19 Luke Silver against Oklahoma State.
   Other ranked wrestlers for Minnesota include No. 6 Cody Yohn (165), No. 10 (Scott Glasser), No. 15 Kevin Steinhaus (184), No. 5 Sonny Yohn (197) and No. 11 Tony Nelson (HWT). Yohn is the team's other returning All-American at 197-pounds.
   Minnesota is coached by J Robinson, who is in his 24th season as head coach.

Husker History vs. Minnesota
   The Gophers and Huskers have matched up over 65 times in their history, while Minnesota has an edge in the all-time record over NU, 47-19. Last season, UM defeated the Huskers, 28-14, in Minneapolis.

Scouting the Oregon State Beavers
   Oregon State enters the match on Saturday with a 3-0-2 overall record and claimed a victory over then-No. 11 Missouri on Nov. 21. The Beavers also battled then-No. 2 Boise State to a 18-18 tie in their first dual of the season. Oregon State features five nationally-ranked wrestlers, including four inside the top 15.
   Oregon State is led by 174-pounder Colby Covington, who is the 6th-ranked 174-pounder in the country according to Intermat. Covington is currently riding a four-match winning streak and owns a 7-1 overall record for the season.At the heavyweight division, Oregon State will rely on 12th-ranked Clayton Jack who has won seven matches this season. Other ranked wrestlers for Oregon State include No. 13 Jason Lara (125), No. 16 Kelly Kubec (133) and No. 12 Mike Mangrum (141).
   Oregon State is coached by Jim Zalesky, who is in his fifth season as head coach of the Beavers.

Husker History vs. Oregon State
   Saturday's match will mark the 14th time Oregon State and Nebraska have faced off, while the Huskers have an edge in the all-time record over OSU, 10-3. Last season, OSU defeated the Huskers, 32-7, in Corvallis.

Johnson Making Most of Return to Huskers
   Senior Andy Johnson is making the most of his return to the Husker lineup after sitting out from competition in 2009-10. In his first three seasons as a Husker, Johnson accumulated just four dual wins and 22 victories overall.  This season, Johnson has started every dual at the 197-pound weight class and has earned a 4-2 record during the dual season, while claiming 13 victories overall. Last weekend, Johnson collected his first technical fall of the season  over Nick Bayer (Northern Colorado) and also beat L.J. Helbig (Wyoming) to go 2-0 on the weekend.

Burroughs Makes Pinning a Priority
   Entering this season, 165-pounder Jordan Burroughs had recorded six pins in his first three seasons at Nebraska. This season, the senior has recorded five pins to nearly tie his career mark entering the year. Burroughs had his streak of consecutive wins by pin snapped in his 19-7 major decision victory over Patrick Martinez (Wyoming) on Dec. 4. Before his victory over Martinez, Burroughs had defeated three straight opponents by pin including Corey Lear (Bucknell), John Nething II (South Dakota State) and Rocco DePaolo (Northern Colorado).

Nebraska vs. Wisconsin Match to Air on Big Ten Network
   Nebraska's wrestling match against current No. 4 Wisconsin on Friday, Jan. 21, will be available to watch on the Big Ten Network. The dual will kick off from Madison, Wis., at 7 p.m. The match will mark the first television appearance for the Huskers this season and will be a preview of what Husker fans can expect next year when NU moves to the Big Ten Conference.
   The dual will feature two of the best wrestlers in the country as Jordan Burrouhgs and Andrew Howe will face off at the 165-pound match. Howe is currently the No. 1-ranked wrestler in the country at 165 and is the reigning national champion. Burroughs is ranked at 2nd-ranked wrestler at the 165-pound weight class and also holds a national championship after finishing first in 2009 at the 157 pound weight class. After missing last season with a knee injury, Burroughs moved up to the 165 pounds this season and looks to become the school's first two-time national champion.

Last Time Out: Huskers Upset 14th-ranked Wyoming
   The 22nd-ranked Nebraska Wrestling team upset the 14th-ranked Wyoming Cowboys, 20-12, on Saturday, Dec. 4, to extended its' winning streak to five straight duals. The Huskers improved their record to 5-1 on the season. Nebraska collected victories in the first two matches to gain a 7-0 lead on the Cowboys, and never looked back.
   In the first match, Andy Johnson (NU) defeated L.J. Helbig (UW) by decision at 197 pounds, 10-4, to get the Huskers rolling. Johnson was followed by a victory from heavyweight Tucker Lane (NU), who took down Joe O'Farrell (UW) by major decision.
   After dropping the 125-pound match, Mike Koehnlein (NU) defeated Chase Smith (UW), before Ridge Kiley upset 16th-ranked Michael Martinez (UW) at the 133-pound weight division to extend the Huskers lead to 13-3, before Wyoming was able to take the next two matches to tighten the lead to 13-6.
   Nebraska took the next two matches as senior Jordan Burroughs (165) added another major decision to his season total as he defeated Patrick Martinez (UW), 19-7. Caleb Kolb got the last points for NU as he won by decision over Dallas Hintz (UW), 7-1.
   In the duals most anticipated match of the night, 2nd-ranked Joe LeBlanc (UW) used a takedown in extra time to defeat 10th-ranked Josh Ihnen (NU) by the score of 5-3.

Burroughs Joins Elite Class with 100th Victory
   Senior Jordan Burroughs joined an elite group of wrestlers against Bucknell on Nov. 21, as he became only the 19th wrestler in school history to record 100 victories in his career. Burroughs defeated Corey Lear (Bucknell) by fall in 1:05, to collect his 100th career victory. Later in the day, the senior won his 101st career match also by fall over John Nething II (South Dakota State). In his career, Burroughs owns a 101-20-0 career record, and currently ranks inside the top ten in career winning percentage and career dual winning percentage.

Huskers Announce Talented Signing Class
   Head Coach Mark Manning and the Husker wrestling program have announced the signings of four high school seniors who plan to enroll and compete at Nebraska beginning with the 2011-12 season.
   Three of the four signees are ranked in the InterMat Top 25, while the other is a two-time Nebraska Class C state champion. Three of the wrestlers have been crowned state champions at their respective high schools.

2010-11 Nebraska Wrestling Signees (bold weights indicate projected college division)

Austin Wilson, Hastings, Neb. (Hastings St. Cecilia) - 157/165
   Austin Wilson will enter his senior season at Hastings St. Cecilia looking to break the all-time career victories record in Nebraska state high school history. Wilson owns a 133-3 career record and would need 39 victories to break the record of 172. As a sophomore, Wilson finished the season with a perfect 47-0 record while only giving up one takedown and one reversal all season en route to the Class C state title at 130 pounds. In his junior season, the Hastings native was just as impressive, going 48-0 and only being scored on one time. Wilson's 48 victories as a junior broke an All-Class record for wins a season. Wilson is nationally-ranked as the No. 15 wrestler in his weight division according to WIN magazine. Wilson is set to wrestle at either the 157 or 165 pounds.

Jake Sueflohn, Hartland, Wis., (Arrowhead) - 141/149
   Jake Sueflohn has established himself as one of the best high school wrestlers in the country after winning the 2010 Wisconsin Division I state championship at 135 pounds. Sueflohn, a Harland, Wis. Native, is ranked as the No. 4 wrestler in the nation at the 140-pound weight division and is the No. 23 ranked recruit overall according to InterMat. As a freshman, Sueflohn finished third at the state championships at 119, while recording a 50-4 record. His sophomore season saw him finish in the runner-up spot at the 125-pound weight division going 38-5. Sueflohn owns a 146-12 career record. Sueflhon is slated to wrestle at either 141 or 149 pounds.

Donny Longendyke, White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake) - HWT
   Donny Longendyke will enter his senior season as one of the most dominate heavyweights in the country after going 47-0 as a junior, while recording 39 pins en route to the Minnesota Class AAA state championship. In his sophomore season, Longendyke recorded a 39-2 mark and a second place finish at the state championships. Longendyke was the No. 2 rated heavyweight recruit in the country according to InterMat, and the No. 25 overall prospect in the country. This summer, Longendyke was most impressive at the USA Wrestling National Championships in Fargo, N.D., where he placed in all five events he entered and earned a spot in the finals twice. Longendyke will wrestle at the Heavyweight spot for the Huskers.

James Green, Willingboro, N.J. (Willingboro) - 157
   James Green will join the Husker wrestling program after accumulating over 100 victories in his first three seasons at Willingboro (N.J.) High School. As a junior, Green finished his junior season with a 35-2 record and a second place finish at the state championships. Green is considered one of the top recruits in the country and is ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect by InterMat. The Willingboro, N.J. native is the 2nd-ranked wrestler at the 145-pound weight division by WIN magazine and checks in as the 4th-ranked wrestler in Intermat's individual rankings. Green is projected to be a 157-pound wrestler at Nebraska.

Four-Time All-American Snyder Returns as Assistant Coach
   The Nebraska wrestling team announced this offseason the return and addition of one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history, as Bryan Snyder was named an assistant coach for the Huskers Over the summer,
   The only four-time All-American and four-time conference champion in school history, Snyder comes back to the Husker wrestling program in its 100th anniversary season. The Easton, Pa., native spent last year as the head assistant coach at Arizona State and helped guide five Sun Devils to the 2010 NCAA Championships in Omaha. Snyder began his coaching experience as an assistant at Harvard in 2002-03, while returning to the Husker wrestling program as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons (2003-04 and 2004-05), as NU went 38-5-1 in duals and finished fifth at the 2004 NCAA Championships.
   As a wrestler, Snyder ranks No. 1 on Nebraska's all-time winning percentage chart (.925), compiling a 136-11 record from 1999-2002. He claimed All-America accolades and a Big 12 championship all four years, while finishing as the NCAA runner-up at 157 pounds in 2001 and 2002. He amassed over 30 wins per season three times, including his 43-3 record as a sophomore that stands as the second-best single-season mark in school history. A four-time NWCA All-Academic selection, Snyder was named the 2002 Nebraska Male Student-Athlete of the Year and graduated with a double major in Sociology and Communication Studies.

Brester, Brown Join NU Coaching Staff
   Two recent NU All-Americans will add further experience and knowledge to the Husker wrestling coaching staff as Nebraska announced the additions of volunteer assistant Brandon Browne and administrative assistant Craig Brester. Along with coach Bryan Snyder, the three new hires combined to win 87 percent of their matches and earn eight All-America honors during their Husker careers.
   Browne will be in his second year with the Huskers after serving as the team's club coach last year. A native of Plattsmouth, Neb., Browne won back-to-back Big 12 championships at 174 pounds in 2008 and 2009.
   Brester will be the most recent face on the NU staff and serve the role of administrative assistant. The Howells, Neb., native finished his career this past March with his second-straight NCAA runner-up finish at 197 pounds. Through four years, Brester produced a 109-21 record and ranks with the eight-best winning percentage (.838) in school history.