Iowa gets stern challenge from Nebraska in 19th-straight Big Ten win

Iowa experienced a tough test on the road, but still passed to remain unbeaten.

The second-ranked Hawkeyes won five matches by two points or less and seven overall to beat No. 11 Nebraska, 21-11, in front of 3,952 fans Sunday at Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb.

The Hawkeyes improved to 13-0 overall and 7-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Iowa has won 19 straight conference duals, dating back to Jan. 25, 2014.

'We want to win every match and we want it to be lopsided,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said in a news release. 'We left a lot of points out here, but they're probably thinking the same thing. Today's dual was probably a little more exciting than I would have liked.”

Returning All-Americans Thomas Gilman (125), Brandon Sorensen at 149 and 197-pounder Nathan Burak remained perfect this season.

Second-ranked Gilman (17-0) opened the dual with Iowa's most decisive victory, dropping No. 9 Tim Lambert, 11-4.

Wins were tighter for Sorensen (19-0) and Burak, who had rematches of semifinal wins at the Midlands Championships. Sorensen, also ranked second, edged No. 5 Jake Sueflohn, 6-5. Burak (17-0) scored a takedown for a 4-2 victory over Aaron Studebaker.

Heavyweight Sam Stoll won his seventh straight match. The seventh-ranked freshman beat No. 18 Colin Jensen, 6-2, to cap the meet.

Senior Edwin Cooper scored a takedown and two nearfall points for an early 4-0 lead and held on to defeat Tyler Berger, 7-6, at 157, giving Iowa a 12-2 lead at the midway point. Nebraska was deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct after that bout.

Cory Clark (133) and 174-pounder Alex Meyer added 2-0 victories for the Hawkeyes.

The biggest surprise came at 184 where Nebraska's T.J. Dudley notched a takedown by locking up a cradle and then pinned Sammy Brooks in 1:40, pulling the Cornhuskers (9-4. 3-4) with 15-11 with two weights remaining.

Iowa returns to action Friday, hosting No. 23 Minnesota (7-6, 3-2) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, beginning at 8 p.m.