The second-ranked Hawkeyes (10-0, 4-0) scored bonus points in nine matches -- including five pins and a technical fall -- to record the largest margin of victory against a Big Ten opponent in school history, topping the previous mark of 53-0 against Illinois in 1992. The 54 points scored are the most against a Big Ten team in program history, and the 54-0 win is the largest win in series history (50-0, 1979).
"It was more than going out and scoring points," said UI head coach Tom Brands. "This was about wrestling opponents that we could have overlooked and we didn't, and that was good."
Iowa took a 30-0 lead into intermission after Thomas Gilman, Cory Clark, and Edwin Cooper recorded falls, and Topher Carton and Brandon Sorensen won by forfeit.
Northwestern didn't field a wrestler against Carton at 141, and midway through the second period the Wildcats' third-ranked Jason Tsirtsis medically forfeited to Sorensen at 149. Sorensen was finishing a takedown 1:15 into the second period when Tsirtsis pulled out with an elbow injury.
"My goal is not to hurt the guy," said Sorensen. "I wanted to finish the match. I rode him longer this time, took him down earlier this time, so that's good, now we need to do multiple, even in the first period."
The second half included two more Iowa pins, one technical fall and one major decision.
Patrick Rhoads won by decision at 165, Alex Meyer recorded a technical fall for the second time in as many times out at 174, Nathan Burak extended his career-best win streak to 15 with a major decision at 197, and Sammy Brooks and Sam Stoll recorded pins at 184 and 285, respectively.
Brooks was leading 15-1 and looking at a potential match termination when he finally stuck his opponent with 50 seconds left in the second.
"I didn't want to let that pin go," said Brooks. "I wanted it bad. I went from position to position until it worked out."
The Hawkeyes' lone decision of the day came at 165, where Patricks Rhoads won 9-3.
"The only thing we need to work on was scoring bonus points at 165," added Brands. "We could have had bonus points at every weight, that would have made a better statement in my mind.
"We want to wrestle in the moment, but doing a good job now makes it easier down the road, it's that simple. The positive impacts a positive for the future."
Iowa returns to the mat Friday, Jan. 15 in Madison, Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes and Badgers meet at 8 p.m. at the Kohl Center. The dual is televised on BTN.
NOTES: Attendance was 960... the 54-0 win was the largest margin of victory in series history, and the largest margin of victory in a Big Ten dual in program history... Iowa has won 11 straight conference road duals... Gilman improved to 14-0 with 12 wins by bonus point, his 14-match win streak matches a career high... Sorensen has won 15 straight for the first time in his career... Meyer's technical fall was his second of the weekend, and second of the season... Burak has won a career-best 14 straight matches... Sam Stoll and Thomas Gilman share the team lead with six falls.
Results:
125 -- #2 Thomas Gilman (IA) pinned Garrison White (NW), 0:56; 6-0
133 -- #2 Cory Clark (IA) pinned Dominick Malone (NW), 6:41; 12-0
141 -- Topher Carton (IA) won by forfeit; 18-0
149 -- #2 Brandon Sorensen (IA) medical forfeit #3 Jason Tsirtsis (NW), 24-0
157 -- #16 Edwin Cooper, Jr. (IA) pinned Anthony Petrone (NW) 30-0
165 -- Patrick Rhoads (IA) dec. Luke Norland (NW), 9-3; 33-0
174 -- #10 Alex Meyer (IA) tech. fall Mitch Sliga (NW), 15-0; 38-0
184 -- #8 Sammy Brooks (IA) pinned Regis Durbin (NW), 4:10; 44-0
197 -- #3 Nathan Burak (IA) major dec. Jacob Berkowitz (NW), 13-3; 48-0
285 -- #8 Sam Stoll (IA) pinned Conan Jennings (NW), 3:46; 54-0
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