University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
#2 Oklahoma State
Players Mentioned
Minnesota Set For Busy Weekend, including 2021-22 Opener with Storied Rival Oklahoma State
11/18/2021 3:26:00 PM | Wrestling
A ranked clash with the Cowboys highlights a busy weekend of competition for the Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 16Â Golden Gophers (0-0) are set to kick off their 2021-22 dual season this weekend as they play host to a longtime rival in No. 2Â Oklahoma State on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m. The dual will be nationally broadcasted on Big Ten Network.Â
The weekend showdown with the Cowboys will be the first time Minnesota has had the opportunity to compete in front of home fans since the end of the 2019-20 season. The Gophers will also take the time to recognize Gable Steveson on Saturday, as they raise his NCAA Championship banner.Â
The following day, Minnesota will have a short turnaround as they travel to Brookings, S.D. to take part in the Daktronics Open. The tournament will be live streamed on FloWrestling, and will include fellow Division-I schools South Dakota State and Nebraska.
The Series With the Cowboys
Minnesota trails the all-time series against the Oklahoma State Cowboys with a record of 14-27 in a series that dates back to 1941. Oklahoma State has won the previous five meetings, which is tied for their second longest streak in the series. The Golden Gophers are 4-6 in their last ten meetings with Oklahoma State, with their most recent victory coming on November 29, 2014 when they took a 19-15 contest at Maturi Pavilion.Â
First Meeting: L, 6-18 (2/18/1941)
Last Meeting: L, 12-21 (11/24/2019)
Longest Win Streak: W3 (Twice; 1/15/2006-12/6/2006, and 2/23/2014-11/29/2014)
Longest Losing Streak: L8 (2/18/1941-2/6/1992)
Current Streak: L5
Last Meeting
Minnesota traveled to Stillwater back in Nov. 2019 where they took four of the ten bouts, but ultimately fell 12-23. Minnesota's first victory of the dual came from Mitch McKee, who got the decision win over Dusty Hone. The Gophers closed the dual out winning three of the last four matches, with Devin Skatzka, Owen Webster and Bobby Steveson all earning decision victories.
Potential Matchups:
This weekend's dual will feature a total of 13 ranked wrestlers in the FloWrestling polls, with the potential of four ranked matchups.Â
At 125 Pounds, fifth-ranked Patrick McKee will square off against NCAA qualifier and No. 18 Trevor Mastrogiovanni.Â
We could see a potential showdown between All-Americans at 157 Pounds, as No. 5 Brayton Lee is slated to compete against No. 14 Wyatt Sheets.Â
Andrew Sparks looks to make a big second-year jump against the Cowboys as the 18th-ranked second-year starter will face a tough test against #7 Travis Wittlake.Â
Dual meet implications could be on the line at 174 pounds, as a tight contest looms between No. 20 Jared Krattiger and No. 19 Dustin Plott.Â
Daktronics Preview:Â
On Sunday morning, Minnesota will send their grapplers to Brookings for the first time since 2019. The last time Minnesota competed in the Daktronic Open, they walked away with seven champions, as Patrick McKee, Mitch McKee, Baylor Fernandes, Bailee O'Reilly, Devin Skatzka, Owen Webster, and Bobby Steveson all walked away with individual crowns.
Up Next:
On Sunday, November 28, the Golden Gophers will host their second straight home dual as South Dakota State comes into town. The dual will start at 1:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on BTN+. The dual will also act as the program's Military Appreciation Day.
Note: Rankings from InterMat's 11/16 rankings