In an exciting dual, No. 1 Jake Herbert of Northwestern scored a pin at 184 pounds to give the Wildcats an 18-12 lead, but Brester and Lane saved the day for the Huskers. Brester, a junior who earned the No. 1 ranking in the nation earlier this week, posted NU's only bonus-point victory of the dual with a 13-2 major decision over John Schoen at 197 pounds. Brester scored two takedowns in the first period to take an early lead, but Schoen choose down in the second period and held off Brester for most of the period. Brester managed a two-point nearfall with 45 second left in the period and quickly cut Schoen to earn a takedown and take a decided advantage. Brester added another takedown in the final period to take the victory and pull the Huskers to within two points at 18-16.
Knowing he needed only a decision to win the dual for NU, Lane accomplished the feat with an 8-5 victory over Ben Kuhar at heavyweight. Kuhar took a 5-4 lead with 57 seconds left in the match, but Lane was able to secure a reversal to retake the lead. Lane added a late takedown and had a riding-time advantage to pull away.
Northwestern jumped on Nebraska early to take a lead, causing the late dramatics. The Wildcats posted wins in each of the first three bouts for a 12-0 lead, but with four straight decisions from 157 to 174 pounds. Junior Jordan Burroughs kept his perfect season alive with a close 7-2 decision over No. 17 Jason Welch. Burroughs, ranked second in the country, entered the third period up 4-2, but Welch was tough on top to give Burroughs fits throughout the final stanza. Burroughs held on for the win and moved to 15-0 on the season, while Stephen Dwyer also picked up his 15th win of the season at 165 pounds. Dwyer, a junior, earned three takedowns and compiled 2:57 of riding time for the win over Kyle Bertin. Senior Brandon Browne kept the momentum in Nebraska's corner with another victory at 174. Browne scored five takedowns and a reversal to nearly notch a major decision, but ended with a 14-7 decision.
The Huskers now face the Nittany Lions, a team with the Huskers beat at last year's National Duals. NU won six of the 10 matches to post a 19-13 upset of No. 1 Penn State en route to the finals.
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