Purdue's win was its third straight over the Hoosiers and fourth straight in Big Ten duals this season, marking their longest conference win streak since a four-match stretch in 1998. The 14 dual victories are the Boilermakers' most in a season under sixth-year head coach Scott Hinkel and their most overall since an 18-win dual season in 2004.
The Boilermakers got off to a slow start in the dual, dropping matches by decision at 184 and 285 pounds. Purdue sophomore Patrick Kissel gave up a four-point move in the first period and his late rally fell short in a 7-6 loss to Indiana sophomore Luke Sheridan, while junior Alex White suffered a 10-4 loss to 12th-ranked Hoosier junior Adam Chalfant. Despite the losses, Purdue offset the six points by receiving a forfeit at 197 pounds, improving sophomore Braden Atwood's record to 21-6 on the year.
The top of the lineup proved all Boilermakers as they reeled off four straight wins to cinch up the team score. Junior Camden Eppert got the run going with a dominant 10-3 victory over Indiana sophomore Joe Duca at 125 pounds. Eppert scored early and often, hitting a couple of throw-bys and a swing single en route to a 6-2 lead in the first, and followed up with another takedown in the second to carry a 9-2 edge to the final period. However, Duca stalled out the scoring in the third period and outlasted Eppert to deny him what would have been his ninth major decision of the season.
Junior Cashe Quiroga put on a takedown clinic at 133 pounds, rolling out a season-high 11 takedowns in a 23-9 major decision over Indiana freshman Alonzo Shepherd. Quiroga practically scored at will through the match, using a variety of takedowns to continue increasing his lead for seven minutes. He was unable to come up with a turn late in the match and settled for the major decision as he improved to 7-1 on the year and 4-0 in conference duals.
The run continued at 141 pounds as Purdue sophomore Brandon Nelsen put up several points in the second and third periods en route to a 12-2 major decision, his sixth of the season. After a scoreless first, Nelsen quickly escaped in the second and scored almost immediately for a 3-0 lead. He rode Indiana freshman Alex Gregory for the remainder of the period, forcing a pair of stalling calls and receiving a penalty point for a 4-0 advantage. Nelsen picked up three more takedowns and another stalling point in the third period as he coasted to his fourth straight Big Ten win and his 20th of the season. He became the sixth Boilermaker to hit the 20-win plateau on the year, joining Eppert, Kissel, Atwood, senior Ivan Lopouchanski and sophomore Pat Robinson.
Lopouchanski finished off the Boilermaker rally at 149 pounds in dominant fashion, needing 5:32 to score a 23-8 technical fall over Indiana sophomore Preston Keiffer. The Boilermaker senior took advantage of his final home match, racking up a quick 9-2 lead in the first on three takedowns and a three-point turn, nearly pinning his Hoosier opponent off of a throw as time expired in the period. Nine more points came in the second period on three more takedowns, an escape and a two-point turn, and Lopouchanski finished him off in the third with an escape and two more takedowns, improving to 21-1 on the season.
The Hoosiers turned the tables at 157 pounds as 15th-ranked sophomore Taylor Walsh and junior Ryan Leblanc each emerged victorious, cutting the lead to 22-13. Walsh used a nice counter in the second period and a takedown and turn in the third to score an 8-0 major decision over Purdue senior Tommy Churchard at 157, and Leblanc returned from injury to score a 10-3 decision over Robinson at 165. With the team score out of reach and Indiana sophomore Cheney Dale suffering from illness, the Hoosiers forfeited the 174 pound match to Purdue freshman Chad Welch, making it a 28-13 final.
The Boilermakers return to action this weekend, heading to Columbia, Mo., for the regional of the NWCA National Duals. Purdue anticipates earning the No. 2 seed in the region and should face No. 21 Wyoming on Sunday, Feb. 17. The winner of that dual will face the winner of sixth-ranked Missouri and Maryland with a trip to the National Duals Finals in Minneapolis, Minn. at stake.
Results:
184: Luke Sheridan (IU) def. Patrick Kissel (PU), D 7-6 (PU 0-3 IU)
197: Braden Atwood (PU) wins by forfeit (PU 6-3 IU)
285: Adam Chalfant (IU) def. Alex White (PU), D 10-4 (PU 6-6 IU)
125: Camden Eppert (PU) def. Joe Duca (IU), D 10-3 (PU 9-6 IU)
133: Cashe Quiroga (PU) def. Alonzo Shepherd (IU), MD 23-9 (PU 13- 6 IU)
141: Brandon Nelsen (PU) def. Alex Gregory (IU), MD 12-2 (PU 17-6 IU)
149: Ivan Lopouchanski (PU) def. Preston Keiffer (IU), TF 23-8 (PU 22-6 IU)
157: Taylor Walsh (IU) def. Tommy Churchard (PU), MD 8-0 (PU 22-10 IU)
165: Ryan LaBlanc (IU) def. Pat Robinson (PU), D 10-3 (PU 22-13 IU)
174: Chad Welch wins by forfeit (PU 28-13 IU)
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