Indiana never trailed in the match as top-ranked Angel Escobedo pushed the Cream and Crimson ahead 5-0 right from the get-go with a 22-6 technical fall of John Deenen in the 125-lbs. opening bout. Escobedo improves to 25-0 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten action with the win.
Matt Ortega then added to the IU lead in the subsequent match-up, avenging a loss earlier this season to Illinois' Daryl Thomas. The second time around, Ortega came away with the `W' in a 7-4 decision to put the Hoosiers up 8-0.
The Fighting Illini bounced back immediately by taking the next two bouts, including a sudden victory in the 149-pound match. Both Illinois wins were via decision, cutting the IU lead to 8-6 heading into the 157-lbs. scuffle.
Back-to-back victories by Bloomington High School South grads, #6 Kurt Kinser and #13 Paul Young, resulted in a nine-point lead at 15-6. Young picked up bonus points with his 11-2 major decision over Joe Barczak.
The two-match swings continued at 174- and 184-lbs. as Illinois snagged those two weight classes. U of I closed the gap to 15-13 with a pair of matches left.
The trend continued, however, and the Hoosiers sealed the deal by taking the final two bouts. It was déjà vu for Hoosier wrestling fans during the 197-lbs. match as Matt Powless found himself tied up with a nationally-ranked wrestler with just seconds remaining.
Last season against Purdue, Powless' takedown of then-#13 Logan Brown with just two seconds remaining not only gave him the win, but also virtually clinched the team victory by putting Indiana ahead by six points with one match remaining.
He one-upped himself this year, taking down #9 Patrick Bond with a lone tick left on the clock, breaking a 2-2 stalemate and giving his Hoosiers an 18-13 edge with second-ranked and still undefeated heavyweight Nate Everhart waiting on deck.
Everhart then capped off the night by remaining unbeaten at 26-0, picking up his seventh major decision of the season.
Results:
125 lbs.- #1 Angel Escobedo (IU) tech falls John Deenen (ILL), 22-6 (Team Score: 5-0)
133 lbs.- Matt Ortega (IU) dec. over Daryl Thomas (ILL), 7-4 (8-0)
141 lbs.- #15 Ryan Prater (ILL) dec. over Danny Monaco (IU), 7-2 (8-3)
149 lbs.- #20 Eric Terrrazas (ILL) dec. over Matt Coughlin (IU), 3-1 SV (8-6)
157 lbs.- #6 Kurt Kinser (IU) dec. over Conrad Polz (ILL), 4-0 (11-6)
165 lbs.- #13 Paul Young (IU) maj. dec. over Joe Barczak (ILL), 11-2 (15-6)
174 lbs.- #14 Jordan Blanton (ILL) dec. over Trevor Perry (IU), 7-3 (15-9)
184 lbs.- #2 John Dergo (ILL) maj. dec. Eric Cameron (IU), 15-6 (15-13)
197 lbs. - Matt Powless (IU) dec. over #9 Patrick Bond (ILL), 4-2 (18-13)
285 lbs.- #2 Nate Everhart (IU) maj. dec. over Pat Walker (ILL), 11-2 (22-13)
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