Oklahoma spoils UNI wrestling’s move to McLeod Center

CEDAR FALLS — For the first under head coach Doug Schwab, Northern Iowa hosted a dual in the McLeod Center, instead of the intimate and loud West Gym.

Even though mats were the same size and opponents were the same weight, the atmosphere didn't have the same fire and the Panthers didn't provide the spark.

Fifteenth-ranked Oklahoma won five of the first six bouts and rolled to a 27-13 college wrestling dual victory over No. 18 UNI Sunday.

'It's still a 30-foot circle,' Schwab said. 'Everything's still the same. It just shows us we still have a long ways to go with this team.

'I thought they've been doing a good job of really just going out and competing and worrying about getting better and it looked like we tightened up a little bit this match. I'll give Oklahoma credit. They had a plan in certain situations and went and got it.'

Oklahoma (9-5) took control from the start, getting a major decision from 125-pounder Christian Moody. He scored three takedowns and four nearfall in a 13-4 victory over Jay Schwarm, who filled in for 11th-ranked Dylan Peters.

After Josh Alber's 7-0 decision at 133 pulled the Panthers within one point, the Sooners outscored the Panthers 29-3 in match points over the next four bouts. Mike Longo (141) scored a 15-0 technical fall over Jake Hodges and No. 10 Clark Glass (157) blanked Paden Moore, 3-0, during the stretch that gave Oklahoma a 21-3 edge.

Schwab said the Panthers (9-3) didn't force enough scoring opportunities, noting they scored just two takedowns the first six weights.

'I don't know how you win a match that way,' Schwab said. 'You almost have to get lucky to win a match that way. We don't want to have a flip of the coin and get lucky, because maybe the one attack we get in goes our way. We have to be able to create more.'

Oklahoma produced a pair of upsets. Javion Jeffries, ranked 16th, caught No. 8 Max Thomsen for four nearfall in the final period for a 7-2 win.

'I know what kind of competitor he is and how he'll respond,' Schwab said. 'To me, that is what is going to be more important. As far as I know, there hasn't been a single podium spot allotted yet.'

Yoanse Mejias provided an even bigger blow at 165. Mejias scored the opening takedown and then hit No. 9 Bryce Steiert with a lateral drop, getting a pin in 2:03.

'The guy hit a great hold,' Schwab said. 'We hit a little bit of a sloppy shot, trying to create things. That guy is dangerous.

'Steiert will be all right and our team will be all right.'

Taylor Lujan stemmed the tide at 174. He ignited the Panther fans with UNI's only bonus-point victory, thumping Dwaylon Barnes, 17-7.

'It's not fun seeing your teammates get beat like that,' Lujan said. 'Max got upset and then Steiert does. Personally, it kind of fired me up, like all right let's start bringing the team back.'

Lujuan scored four takedowns in the final period and earned a riding-time point. He forced the action and received two penalty points in the second.

'I think I kind of broke him down a little bit,' said Lujan, hoping a major decision would factor into the team score. 'Third period, I was like I'm a few points away I need to get that major for the guys.'

UNI's Drew Foster (184) and Jacob Holschlag (197) followed with decisions, making it 21-13 before forfeiting the final match. UNI heavyweight J.J. Everhard was seen in a large knee brace. Schwab said they would have sent out a wrestler at that weight if the dual score was close.

The move to the McLeod Center was a dry run for the upcoming Mid-American Conference Championships in March. The feel was different but was still a positive experience for Lujan. UNI drew 2,084 fans.

'Even though not every seat was filled, it felt like the fans were still in it,' Lujan said. 'It was cool.'

Schwab said his team has shown they are ready to compete in a larger venue like this. He said they can raise their level but wrestled too timid Sunday.

'I thought we tightened up a little bit,' Schwab said. 'You can't have that happen.

'If we're going to tighten up in this environment then what's going to happen in St. Louis?

'It's going to be a learning experience for our guys.'

UNI hosts Buffalo on Friday at the West Gym.

AT CEDAR FALLS (McLeod Center)

Oklahoma 27, Northern Iowa 13

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds — Christian Moody (OU) major dec. Jay Schwarm, 13-4 (3,0); 133 — Josh Alber (UNI) dec. Trae Blackwell, 7-0 (2,0); 141 — Mike Longo (OU) tech. fall Jake Hodges, 15-0 (2,0); 149 — Javion Jeffries (OU) dec. Max Thomsen, 7-2 (1,0); 157 — Clark Glass (OU) dec. Paden Moore, 3-0 (1,0); 165 — Yoanse Mejias (OU) pinned Bryce Steiert, 2:03 (2,0); 174 — Taylor Lujan (UNI) major dec. Dwaylon Barnes, 17-7 (6,1); 184 — Drew Foster (UNI) dec. Matt Reed, 10-3 (3,0); 197 — Jacob Holschlag (UNI) dec. Brad Johnson, 9-5 (1,1); Hwt. — Ross Larson (OU) won by forfeit.

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns — OU 11, UNI 12. Reversals — OU 3, UNI 1. Escapes — OU 12, UNI 12. Nearfall points — OU 16, UNI 4. Penalty points (awarded) — OU 0, UNI 4. Riding-time points — OU 1, UNI 4. Total match points — OU 57, UNI 50.

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