Recap of ILLINI versus Nerdwestern
The ILLINI end up with a 17-17 tie, but lose on the third criteria: Total match points, 52-46. There was a lot to like from the dual, as well as a few things that went very wrong. First, here is the official box score from FightingILLINI.com:
Full Results
| Weight | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 133: | #10 Lucas Byrd dec. #13 Chris Cannon, 5-2 | ILL 3 I NW 0 |
| 141: | #14 Danny Pucino dec. #10 Frankie Tal-shahar, 8-6 | ILL 6 I NW 0 |
| 149 | #4 Yahya Thomas dec. Jake Harrier, 7-3 | ILL 6 I NW 3 |
| 157: | #14 Trevor Chumbley major dec. Anthony Federico, 10-2 | ILL 6 I NW 7 |
| 165: | #23 Maxx Mayfield dec. #11 Danny Braunagel, 8-3 | ILL 6 I NW 10 |
| 174: | #10 Edmond Ruth tech. fall Ankhaa Enkhmandakh, 16-0 5:28 | ILL 11 I NW 10 |
| 184: | #26 Dylan Connell dec. Jon Halvorsen, 3-1 | ILL 14 I NW 10 |
| 197: | #11 Zac Braunagel dec. #29 Andrew Davison, 3-2 | ILL 17 | NW 10 |
| HWT: | #4 Lucas Davison dec. Matt Wroblewski, 6-2 | ILL 17 I NW 13 |
| 125: | #4 Michael DeAugustino major dec. Maximo Renteria | ILL 17 I NW 17 |
SPECIAL NOTE
The ILLINI will be back at State Farm Center on Sunday for the dual against Maryland at 2:00 pm (Central). Free Admission, as well as a free t-shirt for the first 200 through the gates. The event will be streamed on BTN+.
THE WRESTLERS
LUCAS BYRD did what he always does by controlling matches. Here, he ended up with 1:41 in riding time against a two-time All American in Chris Cannon. In his five matches with Cannon, Lucas has outscored the Wildcat 26-7. Cannon has never taken down the ILLINI in five wrestling matches.
That's something really special when you're talking about a two-time AA.
DANNY PUCINO looked fantastic. I’m most concerned when he wrestles either really tall or really muscle-bound wrestlers. Tal-Shahar is a lot of the latter, and a little of the former. I think with all their extra weight and "neck bridges," Northwestern is ready-built for tournaments. As long as they can get past their first-round opponent, they can rehydrate and sail.
Tal-Shahar was in much better shape than I expected with only six matches on the season and coming off an injury, but Pucino showed that he was in superior condition. He weathered early attacks from the Wildcat and ended up with an 8-6 win against another ranked opponent.
JAKE HARRIER did what he had to do in a 4-7 loss to #4 Yahya Thomas. He kept it to a regular decision, avoided Thomas' long-armed cradle attempts and presented enough of a threat to the Wildcat that he gave up on looking for bonus points by the third period.
DANNY BRAUNAGEL did not look
like himself. This is concerning given his history of injuries. He gave up on a
couple of positions that he would usually fight through, and he had zero offense
attempts. Actually, that sounds more like a problem with the cut or illness. In
any case, this was not a brawl, and that’s what you come to expect from the Brawlnagel.
My theory--based only on speculation--is that twenty percent of the starters on a wrestling team are either experiencing the first symptoms, in the throws of an illness, or are recovering from one at any given time during cold and flu season. I hope that's the reason and not another injury. He didn't look himself versus Stoney Buell of Purdue, but was able to get the pin in that match.
EDMOND RUTH did everything he was supposed to do. Like a team player, he even took risks to get the tech fall. Big props to him for that. His bear hugs, double unders and trips are very dangerous.
DYLAN CONNELL wrestled another smart match. He was up against a muscle-head in Jon Halverson, and he set up his winning takedown in the waning seconds of the third period. At FightingILLINI.com, they indicated that he now has three victories because of takedowns in the last :15 of a match.
ZAC BRAUNAGEL also wrestled a smart match against a worthy foe. You can't expect him or Byrd or Pucino or Connell to get bonus against decent B1G wrestlers.
MATT WROBLEWSKI did what he was supposed to do, and maybe even better than expected. He wrestled the #4 heavyweight in the country and kept the margin to four points.
MAXIMO RENTERIA puzzled the **** out of me. I think he was denied a defensive fall, or at least danger points. Then, WTF was that in the last :20? He didn't need to be trying to throw a returning All American with the dual on the line.
Still, I've always been one to try to refrain from criticism about somebody who is trying. He certainly tried to win his match with DeAugustino. I love the gumption! I think the match was won, though, when the random draw started the dual at 133. That gave the much bigger Wildcat time to rehydrate.
Here's something for you to ponder. How do YOU score this:
CONCLUSION
Well, they say a tie is like kissing your sister. And not your hot pornhub step-sister. The ILLINI certainly missed Mikey Carr in the lineup, but, on the other hand, Nerdwestern had to go without Troy Fisher. Edmond Ruth still would've won, but it would likely have not been a tech fall.
Lucas Byrd was absolutely dominant in every position. What a treat he is to watch! Although I'm not going to do a team highlight video of the dual, it was a loss after all, I will do another "versus battle" with Byrd against Harry Potter. That will be coming soon. Until then:
Pucino, Ruth, Connell and Big Brawny also had very important wins for the dual and for their individual resumes.
Let's hope the ILLINI come out breathing fire at home against Maryland.
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