EVANSTON, Ill. — Freshman Taylor Venz’s takedown in the third period propelled him and the Huskers to wins Friday.
Trailing 1-0 in the final match of the night, the 184-pound Venz got a takedown for a 2-1 win over Mitch Sliga. That win tied the dual, and the No. 18 Huskers were awarded a criteria point to earn a 19-18 win over No. 20 Northwestern.
Nebraska, which scored more total points 68-66 in the match to earn the criteria point, never led until the end. Northwestern won the first three matches and were up 14-7 with four matches to go.
Then Tyler Berger rallied in the third period for a 3-1 win at 157 and Isaiah White recorded a technical fall at 165 before Venz’s victory.
Nebraska returns home to face No. 16 Rutgers Sunday at 1 p.m.
Nebraska 19, Northwestern 18
197: Zack Chakonis, NW, dec. Eric Schultz, 10-9. HWT: Conan Jennings, NW, dec. Patrick Grayson, 2-1 TB-1. 125: Sebastian Rivera, NW, major dec. Mitchell Maginnis, 17-6. 133: Jason Renteria, Ne, major dec. Colin Valdiviez, 15-5. 141: CJ Red, Ne, dec. Alec McKenna, 6-2. 149: Ryan Deakin, NW, major dec. Colton McCrystal, 11-2. 157: Tyler Berger, Ne, dec. Shayne Oster, 3-1. 165: Isaiah White, Ne, tech. fall Michael Sepke, 21-6. 174: Johnny Sebastian, NW, major dec. Beau Breske, 11-3. 184: Taylor Venz, Ne, dec. Mitch Sliga, 2-1.
Note: Nebraska won by criteria (total match points, 68-66)
