Hawkeyes Pin Down Northern Iowa, 48-3

Dec. 10, 2009

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IOWA CITY, IA — The top-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team (9-0) recorded six pins and three major decisions en route to a 48-3 win over Northern Iowa (3-4) Thursday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The 45-point victory margin is Iowa’s largest in the 79-year series, and the win was Iowa Head Coach Tom Brands’ 85th career victory.

“That was a team that was focused on tonight, focused on what they needed to do,” said Brands. “It was a good step for us. That doesn’t mean it will be automatic next time, but I have to give those guys credit. The win was lopsided, but that’s what it needs to be – that’s what it’s about. For the most part, our guys can feel good about tonight’s performance, but we can definitely build on this.”

The Hawkeyes, who picked up their 47th straight dual win and 20th consecutive victory in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, collected 29 takedowns on the evening, allowing just one for the Panthers. It was the third time this season that Iowa pinned six opponents in a dual, duplicating their efforts against Iowa Lakes and Southern Illinois Edwardsville at the Iowa City Duals on Nov. 20. Iowa decked seven opponents that day against Cornell College.

Hawkeye redshirt freshmen Matt McDonough (125) and Nate Moore (133), sophomore Montell Marion (141) and senior Brent Metcalf (149) gave the Hawkeyes a convincing 24-0 lead with their pins. McDonough had a 9-2 lead before sticking Caleb Flores in 4:38 to improve to 9-0 on the season. Moore, who was filling in for senior starter Daniel Dennis, made the most of his dual meet debut by scoring a first-period pin over Ryan Jauch in 2:42. Marion, who was also making his first dual appearance in a Hawkeye singlet, built a 6-2 lead over Trent Washington before decking him in 3:28. Metcalf had a 14-2 lead over Trevor Kittleson before recording the fall in 3:49 and improving to 9-0. The Hawkeye senior 149-pounder has seven pins this season and 38 in his career. He only needs two more to break into Iowa’s top 10 career pins list.

Junior Aaron Janssen took Iowa into the intermission with an 11-1 major decision over Tyson Reiner at 157. It was Janssen’s 15th career win and his first major decision of the season.

Seniors Ryan Morningstar (165) and Jay Borschel (174) got the Hawkeye fans back on their feet with second-period pins, giving Iowa a 40-0 lead. Morningstar led 1-0 going into the third period before recording the fall over David Bonin in 5:32. Borschel, who is 9-0 on the season, had a 5-0 lead over Jarion Beets before recording the pin in 4:44 to pick up his 70th career win.

Major decisions from seniors Phillip Keddy (184) and Chad Beatty (197) built the Hawkeye lead to 48-0. Keddy recorded the most takedowns of the night (6) in his 14-5 win over Andy O’Loughlin, while Beatty tallied five takedowns in his 15-5 victory over Dustin Bauman.

Northern Iowa’s Christian Brantley recorded the Panther’s only win and takedown of the night, scoring a 3-2 decision over Hawkeye sophomore Blake Rasing at heavyweight to end the dual.

Up next for Iowa is a trip to the 46th annual Midlands Championships, which will be held Dec. 29-30 in Evanston, IL. The Hawkeyes are the defending team champions and have won the most team titles (20) in the 46-year history of the meet. All matches will be held at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Northwestern University’s campus.

Iowa 48, Northern Iowa 3
125 – Matt McDonough (I) pinned Caleb Flores (UNI), 4:38
133 – Nate Moore (I) pinned Ryan Jauch (UNI), 2:42
141 – Montell Marion (I) pinned Trent Washington (UNI), 3:28
149 – Brent Metcalf (I) pinned Trevor Kittleson (UNI), 3:49
157 – Aaron Janssen (I) maj. dec. Tyson Reiner (UNI), 11-1
165 – Ryan Morningstar (I) pinned David Bonin (UNI), 5:32
174 – Jay Borschel (I) pinned Jarion Beets (UNI), 4:44
184 – Phillip Keddy (I) maj. dec. Andy O’Loughlin (UNI), 14-5
197 – Chad Beatty(I) maj. dec. Dustin Bauman (UNI), 15-5
Hwt. – Christian Brantley (UNI) dec. Blake Rasing (I), 3-2