Cowboys shuck No. 6 Cornhuskers 22-12

David Taylor pumped his fists in elation.

A grin quickly turned into a widened smile. Shortly after, Taylor greeted his wrestlers with emphatic clapping and what appeared to be one loud cheer. 

Moments after his team’s 22-12 victory against No. 6 Nebraska on Sunday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, the Oklahoma State coach let loose. Emotionally, mentally and everything in between. And rightfully so. 

The No. 5 Cowboys’ decisive victory in Lincoln was a noteworthy fleck of the group’s progress this season. OSU clinched six of 10 bouts on the day. But two bonus-point victories proved to be the crux in the win. 

Not only was Sunday a royal unveiling for a handful of wrestlers, but it staked a claim for national legitimacy for Taylor’s team.  

Here are three takeaways from the dual. 

Vega’s pin sets tone

Sergio Vega saw his opportunity and went for it. 

Early into his 141-pound match with third-ranked Brock Hardy of Nebraska, the second-ranked Vega went for a shot. Once he had a grasp of Hardy’s legs, he drove his feet. And drove. And drove.

Vega bullied his way to a cradle position. Shortly after, the nearside official slapped his hand against the mat, blew his whistle and signified the final outcome.

Vega had downed the reigning 141-pound Big 10 champion and national runner-up from a season ago. And it had taken him less than 2 minutes to do it.

It wasn’t the first time this season Vega had bested Hardy, either. In November, Vega logged a 13-2 major decision against Hardy at the National Duals Invitational in Tulsa. With the win, Vega improved to 8-0 overall, including a 5-0 clip against ranked opponents. It also marked his first pin of the season.

It isn’t often a freshman surges into the spotlight in such a manner, much less garner a No. 2 ranking in his weight class at any point. But Vega has. And at this point, he’s no longer an underdog, but rather a national contender.  

Has Swiderski found his groove?

Six duals into the season, questions surrounded OSU’s 149-pound weight class.

But since being slotted back into the starting lineup after he was benched from a 0-4 start, Casey Swiderski has seemingly found his footing. The latest product to back that being a 7-2 upset bid against fifth-ranked Chance Lamer of Nebraska. A couple takedowns, an escape point and stellar defense throughout the match secured the 17th-ranked Swiderski his second-straight dual victory.

And while it didn’t come in bonus-point fashion, a victory-by-decision couldn’t have come in a more decisive manner. 

Can Swiderski keep his hot streak going? TBD.

But what can be certain is Taylor and OSU are getting what they had hoped for when bringing in the reigning All-American from Iowa State. And if that continues, the Cowboys (8-1) will be a daunting group once Nationals come about in March.

Merrill’s decision secures win 

It all came down to the 197-pound bout — No. 7 Cody Merrill against Nebraska’s 12th-ranked Camden McDanel.

With the Cowboys leading 16-12, even a decision would have mathematically clinched the dual in their favor. But the Cornhuskers (5-3) had clinched three of the previous four bouts to trim OSU’s lead to 4. 

So, Merrill performed his expertise — defense.

After trading stalemates early in the match, Merril and McDanel entered the final period tied at 1. So, Merrill rode out his opponent for the entire period, securing the riding-time point and most importantly, a 2-1 decision.

And without former OSU wrestler AJ Ferrari competing in the heavyweight bout for undisclosed reasons, that set up No. 7 Konner Doucet for a 2-1 decision against freshman Cade Ziola to close things out.

No. 5 Oklahoma State 22, No. 6 Nebraska 12

Dec. 21, 2025 | Bob Devaney Sports Center | Lincoln, Nebraska

125: No. 7 Troy Spratley (OSU) MD Kael Lauridsen (NEB), 12-4

133: No. 8 Jacob Van Dee (NEB) dec. No. 21 Ronnie Ramirez (OSU), 4-1

141: No. 2 Sergio Vega (OSU) fall No. 3 Brock Hardy (NEB), 1:47

149: No. 17 Casey Swiderski (OSU) dec. No. 5 Chance Lamer (NEB), 7-2

157: No. 6 Antrell Taylor (NEB) dec. No. 2 Landon Robideau (OSU), 3-2 TB-1

165: No. 2 LaDarion Lockett (OSU) dec. No. 10 LJ Araujo (NEB), 4-1 SV

174: No. 6 Christopher Minto (NEB) dec. No. 14 Alex Facundo (OSU), 4-1

184: No. 9 Silas Allred (NEB) dec. No. 10 Zack Ryder (OSU), 4-2

197: No. 7 Cody Merrill (OSU) dec. No. 12 Camden McDanel (NEB), 2-1

HWT: No. 7 Konner Doucet (OSU) dec. Cade Ziola (NEB), 2-1