The Panthers are looking to extend their MAC winning streak and defend their home mat streak when they host two MAC opponents Friday & Saturday, January 9 & 10, 2015.

“We will be better and more ready for Friday,” said head coach Doug Schwab. “Hopefully we can get that West Gym packed, because it is a great atmosphere and a great place to compete.”

UNI has won the last 10 duals at home, a streak that extends to the beginning of the 2013-14 season. The last home loss came to No. 7 Oklahoma State at the last dual of the 2012-13 season.

UNI leads the series with both Northern Illinois (30-1-5) and Buffalo (2-0).

“We will see all of these guys again at the MAC tournament, so it’s important for the conference seedings,” said Schwab. “We also need to get a streak going and build confidence.”

The Panthers beat both teams 32-6 last season, but both teams have a lot of changes in the lineup.

I know Buffalo struggled last year, but they have a new coach. It’s his second year,” said Schwab. “And they are better than they were and will keep getting better. I know those guys aren’t going to concede anything. We have to get up and ready every time.”

FOR THE FANS:
Panther fans are asked to wear purple Friday in an effort to defeat dementia and honor Keith Young, a former UNI wrestler and high school coach. On Saturday, the first 500 fans through the doors get T-shirts courtesy of Hy-Vee.

PANTHER POINTS:
No. 6 Dylan Peters, 125 pounds, is UNI’s highest nationally ranked wrestler. He is ranked second in the MAC. His 18 falls last season earned him a fourth-place spot on the all-time records for most pins in a single season. He needs three more to crack the top 10 among all Panthers for most career falls.

Cooper Moore, 165 pounds, is the only Panther ranked first in the conference. He is one of two Panthers still undefeated in duals (4-0).

Despite beating the top-ranked wrestler in the MAC, Blaize Cabell remains second in the conference at heavyweight. He is the only other Panther who remains undefeated in duals (7-0).

Five Panther wrestlers are ranked in the MAC’s top four:

  • 125 – No. 2 Dylan Peters
  • 165 – No. 1 Cooper Moore
  • 174 – No. 4 Curt Maas
  • 184 – No. 3 Cody Caldwell
  • 285 – No. 2 Blaize Cabell

Lineup:

  • 125: Dylan Peters, sophomore (13-2 / 6-1)
  • 133: Leighton Gaul, redshirt freshman (5-10 / 1-4)
  • 141: Jesse Etherington, redshirt freshman (8-4 / 0-1) or Jake Hodges, redshirt freshman (7-9 / 2-2) or Tyler Willers, sophomore (10-7 / 0-2)
  • 149: Gunnar Wolfensperger, sophomore (15-5 / 3-1) or Zach Witte, sophomore (12-5 / 2-1)
  • 157: Jarrett Jensen, junior (14-7 / 3-4)
  • 165: Taylor Berger, junior (11-6 / 0-0) or Cooper Moore, sophomore (13-3 / 4-0)
  • 174: Curt Maas, sophomore (17-3 / 6-1)
  • 174/84: Kyle Lux, junior (9-8 / 2-1)
  • 184: Cody Caldwell, junior (10-2 / 2-2)
  • 197: Cody Krumwiede, junior (13-9 / 0-1) or Basil Minto, senior (14-7 / 1-2)
  • 285: Blaize Cabell, junior (15-4 / 7-0)

 

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS:
NIU is led by Shaun’Qae McMurty at 165 pounds and Shawn Scott at 197 pounds. Scott is coming off an eighth-place finish at Midlands and is ranked third in the MAC. McMurty is ranked fourth in the conference. Northern Illinois returns six starters.

Scott leads the team in overall win with 17. Derek Elmore, 125 pounds, leads the team in dual wins (10), dual points (57) and pins (10.

UNI’s only loss to Northern Illinois (22-19) came in 1998. UNI leads the series 30-1-5, dating back to 1958.

Lineup:

  • 125: Derek Elmore, senior (15-7 / 10-4)
  • 133: Danny Carlson, freshman (6-11 / 3-3)
  • 141: Tyler Argue, senior (8-8 / 6-6)
  • 149: Gabe Morse, redshirt sophomore (6-3 / 6-3)
  • 157: Andrew Morse, junior (13-8 / 9-4)
  • 165: Shaun'Qae McMurtry, redshirt sophomore (7-9 / 5-7)
  • 174: Trace Engelkes, redshirt sophomore (5-6 / 2-2) or Bryce Gorman, freshman (7-11 / 3-4)
  • 184: Quinton Rosser, freshman (9-13 / 4-10)
  • 197: Shawn Scott, redshirt sophomore (17-7 / 10-3)
  • 285: Arthur Bunce, redshirt junior (7-12 / 5-8)

 

SCOUTING BUFFALO:
Buffalo returns four starters. The Bulls are led by 125-pounder Max Soria, who is ranked fourth in the MAC. Soria is a two-time NCAA qualifier. He earned his first trip to nationals in the 2011-12 season and again in 2013. He didn’t qualify as a junior.

Lineup:

  • 125: Max Soria, redshirt senior (16–3 / 7-1)
  • 133: Sean Peacock, freshman (13–9 / 6-3)
  • 141: Rocco Russo, freshman (8-6 / 0-0) or Jason Estevez, redshirt freshman (10-7 / 5-4)
  • 149: Justin Cooksey, freshman (7-10 / 3-6)
  • 157: Alex Smythe, freshman 4–9 (1-3)
  • 165: Rrok Ndokaj, redshirt sophomore (8–7 / 5-2)
  • 174: Muhamid McBryde, senior (4–12 / 1-5) or Wally Maziarz, redshirt senior (6-10 / 1-4)
  • 184: Brett Perry, freshman (7–11 / 1-1)
  • 197: Joe Ariola, redshirt freshman (10–9 / 5-4) or James Benjamin 9-6 (0-0)
  • 285: Mike Silvis, redshirt freshman (6–9 / 2-3)

More From 97.7 KCRR