Cowboys, Cornhuskers Set Four-Year Home-and-Home Series – Taylor's squad faces No. 6 Nebraska on Big Ten Network to kick off agreement

Oklahoma State and Nebraska will meet in a four-year, home-and-home series, which begins Sunday at 1 p.m. when the No. 5 Cowboys travel to Lincoln to face the No. 6 Cornhuskers at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

OSU coach David Taylor informed reporters of the four-year format Friday during the team's weekly media availability. The Cowboys (7-1) will wrestle at Nebraska this season and in 2027, with return trips to Gallagher-Iba Arena scheduled for 2026 and 2028.

"It makes too much sense," Taylor said. "We're close in proximity. It's a nonconference match for both of us, so we can work it out. We should just be doing that. It's good for both of our programs and it's good for the sport of wrestling."

Spratley hoping to capitalize off Strickenberger win

Instead of mentally preparing for his bout with West Virginia’s Jett Strickenberger, Troy Spratley opted for an unorthodox approach.

A nap.

West Virginia opted to start the dual at 133 pounds, meaning Spratley and Strickenberger's rematch of the Big 12 Wrestling Championships 125-pound title match was the last scheduled bout.

"I went out and wrestled the match," Spratley said.

That he did.

An early takedown in the first period set up a reversal to open the second period. And Spratley's defense in the latter stages paved the way for vengeance — a 6-2 decision. Something he said he has relished the entire week.

Sunday wasn't a coming out party for Spratley. Instead, it was a reminder of his potential.

A reminder of why he was last season's 125-pound national runner-up. A reminder of why he garnered No. 2 ranking in his weight class to open the year. A reminder of his quickness and ferociousness on the mat.

After a poor outing at the National Duals Invitational in November, the seventh-ranked Spratley has found his groove as of late. And he said he hopes to carry that momentum into Sunday's showdown with the Cornhuskers (5-2).

But if anything, Sunday might have been a foreshadowing of what is to come.

"I did all I could do to prepare for the match," Spratley said. "Just (had to) go out there and take care of my job."

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Ranked matches highlight for Nebraska dual

A multitude of ranked matches headline Sunday’s dual.

At 141, No. 2 Sergio Vega will face No. 3 Brock Hardy. At 157, No. 2 Landon Robideau will clash with reigning national champion, sixth-ranked Andrell Taylor, who didn't wrestle due to injury in OSU's win against Nebraska at the National Duals Invitational in November. At 165, No. 2 Dee Lockett will face No. 10 LJ Araujo. And at heavyweight, No. 7 Konner Doucet will wrestle former OSU wrestler, fourth-ranked AJ Ferrari.

The Cowboys went 2-1 in the aforementioned bouts in November, with the only loss coming at heavyweight — Ferrari downed Doucet 2-1 in ride-outs. And while they might be favored in most matches, one team clinching three of those four could teeter momentum in its favor.

"That's why having a good home environment here (at Gallagher-Iba Arena) is so important here, so that no matter where we go, it's not anywhere comparative to what it is here," Taylor said. "...We've got 10 matches, and every match is going to be meaningful."

📺 Watch Coach Taylor speak on upcoming Nebraska dual