Wrestling Falls at No. 3 Nebraska, 28-9

The University of Wyoming wrestling team took part in a top 20 battle on Sunday inside the Devaney Center. The No. 20 Cowboys faced off with No. 3 Nebraska, falling, 28-9, to drop to 1-1 on the season.

“It was a good experience, especially this early in the season,” head coach Mark Branch said. “Our guys needed this. We saw a lot of top-ranked guys, and we fought. I felt like in every match we fought hard.”

No. 16 Luke Willochell (133) gave the Pokes an early shot in the arm. He upset No. 7 Jacob Van Dee with a late takedown and ride out for a 5-4 decision win.

It moved Willochell to 2-0 on the season and represented his first-career top 10 win. It also avenged a loss in the consolation round of last year’s NCAA Championships.

“That was awesome,” Branch said. “That’s a couple-time All-American he beat. That was certainly the highlight.”

Wyoming’s two hammers accounted for the other pair of wins. No. 6 Eddie Neitenbach (184) and No. 4 Joey Novak (197) each moved to 2-0 on the year, and both had to fight off some adversity.

Neitenbach gave up two early takedowns to Ethan DeLeon and had to scrap his way back. Neitenbach tallied a takedown and back points to persevere with a 13-8 decision win.

Novak was the one half of the premier bout of the day. He battled No. 5 Camden McDanel, and Novak scored a late takedown and ride out for a 4-1 victory that moved him to 4-0 lifetime against McDanel.

“Joey wrestled well, but there were two or three times we had a good opportunity to score, and the kid found his way out of it,” Branch said. “When you’re in those tight matches, you have to keep your composure. Joey showed a lot of heart. When matches come down to that, I know how big his heart is, and I know he’s going do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

Isaiah Harrison (125) and No. 32 Riley Davis (174) each fell to top-five guys, however, they only lost by decision. The Huskers earned three major decisions and two technical falls in the other five bouts.