Stephen Buchanan propels Iowa men’s wrestling to dramatic win over Nebraska

IOWA CITY — Eight-point-four.

That’s how close third-ranked Iowa came to losing to No. 7 Nebraska on Friday night in a Big Ten men’s wrestling dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Eight-point-four seconds from the first loss to the Cornhuskers since 2005. The first loss since Tom Brands took over the Hawkeye program.

“Cutting it close,” Iowa’s top-ranked 197-pounder Stephen Buchanan said after pinning Camden McDanel with 8.4 seconds left, propelling the Hawkeyes to a 19-16 win. “I knew I had to get bonus points.”

Iowa trailed Nebraska, 16-9, after Silas Allred scored a 4-1 overtime win over Gabe Arnold at 184. That gave the Cornhuskers their fifth win of the dual and put them on the brink of beating Iowa.

Simply winning the last two bouts wasn’t going to be a enough. The Hawks needed a big win and Buchanan delivered.

“Years before, I definitely would have been looking for a pin or tech fall,” he said. “But I think when you try to force things and go into that match with that mindset that is when you try to force shots, force cradles, force anything and everything to get back points and the match falls apart.

“Going into that match I was focused on wrestling and getting to the positions where I am good at. Pushing the pace.”

The Hawkeyes didn’t lead until Ben Kueter’s 8-0 major decision over Harley Andrews in the final about.

The Cornhuskers wasted little time taking charge of this dual. Caleb Smith nudged Joey Cruz at 125 for a 3-0 lead and after Iowa’s Drake Ayala scored a 4-2 win at 133 to tie the dual, Nebraska never trailed until after the heavyweight bout.

Nebraska won at 141 and 157 to take a 10-6 lead at intermission. After Michael Caliendo pulled Iowa within, 10-9, with a solid win at 157, the Cornhuskers took the next two bouts, including a wild, 18-11 decision from Lenny Pinto over No. 6 Patrick Kennedy at 174.

Pinto nearly had Kennedy pinned in the first period and led, 7-0 and 10-1, before Kennedy made a charge and put Pinto on his back. It was 11-9 after the first period. After a scoreless second period, Pinto again had Kennedy on the back in the third.

Then things looked dire for the Hawks after Arnold’s loss at 184.

Iowa Coach Tom Brands was not pleased. Seven of the 10 bouts were scoreless after the first period and the Hawkeyes scored only 55 match points, just four more than Nebraska. Iowa had only 10 takedowns all night.

“We have to do a better job of scoring match points at all weights,” he said.

One highlight for the Hawks was fourth-ranked Kyle Parco’s 3-2 win over No. 2 Ridge Lovell at 149. Parco scored a takedown in the third to grab the victory.

“It was a good match,” Parco said, still stinging from a lopsided loss at Penn State last week. “A lot of satisfaction ... it was good to get a good win back.”

IOWA 19, NEBRASKA 16

At Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds — Caleb Smith (N) dec. Joey Cruz, 2-1 (0,0); 133 — Drake Ayala (I) dec. Jacob Van Dee, 4-2 (1,0); 141 — Brock Hardy (N) dec. Cullan Schriever, 14-3 (4,0); 149 — Kyle Parco (I) dec. Ridge Lovett, 3-2 (1,0); 157 — Antrell Taylor (N) dec. Miguel Estrada, 4-2 (1,0); 165 — Michael Caliendo (I) dec. Christopher Minto, 5-1 (1,0); 174 — Lenny Pinto (N) dec. Patrick Kennedy, 18-11 (3,1); 184 — Silas Allred (N) dec. Gabe Arnold, 4-1, OT (1,0); 197 — Stephen Buchanan (I) pinned Camden McDanel, 6:52 (5,0); Hwt. — Ben Kueter (I) dec. Harley Andrews, 8-0 (1,0)

MEET STATISTICS: Takedowns — Nebraska 9, Iowa 10; Reversals — Nebraska 0, Iowa 1; Escapes — Nebraska 12, Iowa 12; Nearfall points — Nebraska 9, Iowa 6; Penalty points award — Nebraska 0, Iowa 2; Riding time points — Nebraska 2, Iowa 3; Total match points — Nebraska 51, Iowa 55