Iowa rolls to 45-0 shutout over Wisconsin in Big Ten Conference dual opener

University of Iowa was too good, too tough and simply too much for Wisconsin.

The Hawkeyes ran the table to win its Big Ten Conference dual opener.

Second-ranked Iowa dominated Wisconsin, posting seven bonus-point victories and rolling to a 45-0 shutout Sunday afternoon at Wisconsin Field House in Madison, Wis. The Hawkeyes have won 13 straight against and 44 of the last 45 against the Badgers.

“Lot of bonus points,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “A shutout, so 10-of-10 in matches. We have Illinois in five days, don’t want to downplay this but we do have to get ready. It’s going quick now.”

Iowa’s Joey Cruz got the nod at 125 to start the dual. He capitalized on the opportunity with two takedowns in an 8-2 decision over Nicolar Rivera, who is ranked as high as 14 th nationally.

The Hawkeyes (7-0, 1-0 Big Ten) continued to soar, receiving their first bonus-point finish from No. 4 Drake Ayala at 133. The 2024 NCAA finalist tallied five takedowns in a 21-6 technical fall over Zan Fugitt. Ayala closed strong, posting 14 points, including four nearfall, in the final period.

Kyle Parco (149), Michael Caliendo at 165 and 174-pounder Patrick Kennedy also forced match terminations. Parco racked up 12 nearfall points on three turns in a 19-3 win over Royce Nillo.

Caliendo began the second half of the dual with a first-period technical fall, blasting Gavin Model with seven takedowns and 21-6 victory in less than three minutes. Kennedy followed with a 19-4 tech, ending it with an escape and takedown early in the second period. Kennedy’s win made it 29-0 with three matches left.

Iowa added the exclamation mark on the end. Gabe Arnold (184) and 197-pounder Stephen Buchanan recorded back-to-back pins. Arnold whipped over Dylan Russo over for a fall in just 1:27. Buchanan (11-0) was even quicker, decking Niccolo Colucci in 40 seconds. Heavyweight Ben Kueter capped the dual with an 8-0 major over Gannon Rosenfeld with two takedowns and a riding-time point.

“It was good to be back home,” said Buchanan, who was a two-time state champion at Loyal (Wis.) High School. “Had a lot of people come out, so that was nice seeing them in the crowd. I didn’t really know how many people had come down, but it was nice talking to them afterwards.”

Iowa was still missing Jacori Teemer at 157 and previous 141 starter Ryder Block was not in the probable lineup. Jace Rhodes and Miguel Estrada stepped in with success. Rhodes scored a takedown in sudden victory to defeat Brock Bobzien, 6-3, at 141. Estrada tallied three takedowns in a 10-4 decision over Luke Mechler at 157, giving Iowa a 19-0 lead at intermission.

“I liked the first period,” Rhodes said. “I gave up the reversal, not exactly ideal. That guy is good on top, putting in the legs. Overall, it was a gutsy win, and I am glad I could pull it out, and keep giving myself more opportunities to go out there and win.”

The Hawkeyes had a decisive statistical advantage over Wisconsin (4-5, 0-1). Iowa owned a 31-2 edge in takedowns and a 16-0 lead in nearfall points. The Hawkeyes outscored the Badgers, 118-28, in total match points.

Iowa returns to competition against Illinois Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, starting at 6 p.m.

AT MADISON, WIS.

Iowa 45, Wisconsin 0

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds - Joey Cruz (I) dec. Nicolar Rivera, 8-2 (2,0); 133 - Drake Ayala (I) tech. fall Zan Fugitt, 21-6 (5,1); 141 - Jace Rhodes (I) dec. Brock Bobzien, 6-3 SV-1 (2,0); 149 - Kyle Parco (I) tech. fall Royce Nillo, 19-3 (2,1); 157 - Miguel Estrada (I) dec. Luke Mechler, 10-4 (3,0); 165 - Michael Caliendo (I) tech. fall Gavin Model, 21-6 (7,0); 174 - Patrick Kennedy (I) tech. fall Luke Condon, 19-4 (6,0); 184 - Gabe Arnold (I) pinned Dylan Russo, 1:27 (1,0); 197 - Stephen Buchanan (I) pinned Niccolo Colucci, :40 (1,0); Hwt. - Ben Kueter (I) major dec. Gannon Rosenfeld, 8-0 (2,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns: Iowa 31, Wisconsin 2. Reversals: Iowa 0, Wisconsin 1. Escapes: Iowa 7, Wisconsin 19. Nearfall points: Iowa 16, Wisconsin 0. Penalty points (awarded): Iowa 1, Wisconsin 1. Riding time points: Iowa 1, Wisconsin 0. Total match points: Iowa 118, Wisconsin 28.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com