The fifth-ranked Nebraska wrestling team scored a pair of season-opening victories over ranked Division II foes as part of the Nebraska Duals on Thursday night. The event featured the Huskers, 24th-ranked Chadron State, Hastings College and fourth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney.
The Big Red first grappled with Chadron State. The 1,477 fans in attendance at the Devaney Center had barely taken their seats before redshirt freshman Alex Thomsen (125) pinned Tate Stoddard in their 58-second match. The Huskers then scored decisions in their next five bouts. Zak Hensley (133), Christian Miller (141) and Caleb Licking (149) all secured victories before Johnny Blankenship (157) triumphed over fifth-ranked Chase Clasen 7-4.