Iowa Wrestling Edges Nebraska in Thrilling Dual, Tom Brands Praises Team’s Resilience

Last Updated on 10/02/2025 by John Penn

IOWA CITY, IA — In a nail-biting showdown at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 7, 2025, the third-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team narrowly defeated the seventh-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, 19-16, in a Big Ten dual that came down to the final seconds. The victory extended Iowa’s dominance over Nebraska, marking their 16th consecutive win in the series under head coach Tom Brands.

The dual began with Nebraska taking an early lead, as Caleb Smith edged Iowa’s Joey Cruz at 125 pounds with a 2-1 decision. Iowa’s Drake Ayala, ranked No. 1 at 133 pounds, tied the score with a 4-2 victory over Jacob Van Dee. However, Nebraska surged ahead again with wins at 141 and 157 pounds, taking a 10-6 lead into intermission.

Iowa’s Michael Caliendo, ranked No. 2 at 165 pounds, kept the Hawkeyes in contention with a solid 5-1 decision over Christopher Minto. But Nebraska’s Lenny Pinto delivered a stunning performance at 174 pounds, defeating Iowa’s Patrick Kennedy in a high-scoring 18-11 decision that nearly ended in a pin. Silas Allred then extended Nebraska’s lead to 16-9 with a 4-1 overtime victory over Iowa’s Gabe Arnold at 184 pounds, putting the Cornhuskers on the brink of their first win over Iowa since 2005.

With the dual hanging in the balance, Iowa’s top-ranked 197-pounder, Stephen Buchanan, delivered a dramatic pin over Camden McDanel with just 8.4 seconds remaining. Buchanan’s victory not only tied the score but also shifted the momentum entirely in Iowa’s favor. “I knew I had to get bonus points,” Buchanan said afterward. “I was focused on wrestling and getting to the positions where I am good at. Pushing the pace”.

The heavyweight bout sealed the deal for Iowa, as Ben Kueter dominated Harley Andrews with an 8-0 major decision, securing the Hawkeyes’ 19-16 victory. Kueter’s performance capped off a thrilling comeback that left the sold-out crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena roaring in approval.

Head coach Tom Brands acknowledged the team’s struggles but praised their resilience. “We have to do a better job of scoring match points at all weights,” Brands said. “But tonight, we found a way to win when it mattered most”.

The dual also featured a marquee matchup at 149 pounds, where Iowa’s Kyle Parco, ranked No. 4, defeated Nebraska’s second-ranked Ridge Lovett in a tightly contested 3-2 decision. Parco’s takedown in the third period proved decisive, adding another highlight to Iowa’s victory.

With the win, Iowa improved to 7-1 on the season, while Nebraska fell to 6-2. The Hawkeyes will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for upcoming duals against No. 8 Minnesota and No. 2 Oklahoma State later this month.

For Nebraska, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, but their strong performance against one of the nation’s top teams signals their potential as a contender in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.

As the Hawkeyes celebrate their hard-fought victory, the wrestling world is reminded once again why Iowa-Nebraska remains one of the most intense and entertaining rivalries in college wrestling.

Final Score: Iowa 19, Nebraska 16
Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA
Date: February 7, 2025