Huskers Stunned by Badgers

Lincoln, Neb. – No. 8 Nebraska (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday night as the Huskers fell to Wisconsin, 23-14, at the Devaney Center.

No. 1 Robert Kokesh got NU started on the right track with his 16-5 major decision over Frank Cousins in the opening bout at 174 pounds. The senior All-American raced out to a 9-1 lead after the first period and never looked back before adding a point for riding time. Kokesh, who ascended to the top spot at 174 pounds in every major poll this week, improves to 15-0 on the season.

Ranked Huskers Tim Lambert (No. 18 at 125), Anthony Abidin (No. 20 at 141) and James Green (No. 2 at 157) also posted victories for the Huskers. Lambert shutout Johnny Jimenez in the fifth match of the night, scoring a takedown in the first period before a reversal from the bottom position in the second period. He tacked on a riding time point in his 5-0 decision.

Abidin took an early lead against Jesse Thielke before a dominant third period gave the Husker junior an 11-2 major decision. Abidin earned three takedowns in the match and added a point for riding time.

Green, a three-time All-American, collected three takedowns in the first period against Jarod Donar and built a 9-3 lead midway through the second stanza before holding off the pesky Badger for a 9-7 win. Green is 13-1 on the season and holds a 5-0 record in duals.

Following Kokesh’s win in the opening match, Nebraska’s TJ Dudley (184), Aaron Studebaker (197) and Collin Jensen (HWT) each lost as the Badgers gained a 10-4 advantage. Eric Montoya fell to No. 18 Ryan Taylor at 133 pounds, while No. 19 Justin Arthur dropped an 8-7 decision to Rylan Lubeck at 149 pounds and Austin Wilson (165) was pinned by No. 7 Isaac Jordan in the final match of the dual.

The Huskers return to action Jan. 1-2 at the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn. More event information will be available on Huskers.com closer to the tournament.

Wisconsin 23, No. 8 Nebraska 14
Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014
Devaney Center, Lincoln, Neb.
Attendance: 1,462

Results
174: #1 Robert Kokesh (NEB) by major dec. over Frank Cousins (WIS), 16-5 (NEB 4, WIS 0)
184: #20 Ricky Robertson (WIS) by dec. over #17 TJ Dudley (NEB), 9-4 (NEB 4, WIS 3)
197: #16 Timmy McCall (WIS) by sudden victory-1 over Aaron Studebaker (NEB), 8-6 (WIS 6, NEB 4)
HWT: #5 Connor Medbery (WIS) by major dec. over #14 Collin Jensen (NEB), 11-3 (WIS 10, NEB 4)
125: #18 Tim Lambert (NEB) by dec. over Johnny Jimenez (WIS), 5-0 (WIS 10, NEB 7)
133: #18 Ryan Taylor (WIS) by major dec. over Eric Montoya (NEB), 12-4 (WIS 14, NEB 7)
141: #20 Anthony Abidin (NEB) by major dec. over Jesse Thielke (WIS), 11-2 (WIS 14, NEB 11)
149: Rylan Lubeck (WIS) by dec. over #19 Justin Arthur (NEB), 8-7 (WIS 17, NEB 11)
157: #2 James Green (NEB) by dec. over Jarod Donar (WIS), 9-7 (WIS 17, NEB 14)
165: #7 Isaac Jordan (WIS) by pin over #20 Austin Wilson (NEB), 0:32 (WIS 23, NEB 14)