Let the dizzying mid-season schedule resume.
That’s how things have been going for the Oregon wrestling team as it heads to Stanford today for one of three matches this week.
Oregon enters the dual meet with a 1-5 record, including an 0-1 ledger in the Pacific-10 Conference.
If history is an indication of how things will unfold, Oregon has to like its chances.
The Ducks are 29-2 all-time against the Cardinal. Stanford is coming off its first Pac-10 loss after No. 21 Cal State-Bakersfield beat them, 21-18.
While Oregon boasts a ranked wrestler with No. 20 Jason Harless, Stanford has junior Matt Gentry, who is ranked fifth in the nation and No. 1 overall in the Pac-10 in the 157-pound division. Gentry has accumulated a record of 23-0 this season.
The Cardinal also features junior Brad Metzier, ranked 12th in the nation and No. 1 in the Pac-10 in his 141-pound weight class. Metzier enters the tournament at 15-2.
Officiating may become a concern for the Ducks with three days of matches away from home.
“It’s a challenge with officiating,” head coach Chuck Kearney said. “It’s an advantage being at home with officials. (Officials) don’t know us, and how we wrestle, it’s a bit of a disadvantage. And we don’t get to wrestle in front of friends and family.”
Kearney also said that home officials usually understand the tactics and strategies of a home team better than a visiting team, giving the former a slight edge in scoring.
Oregon last faced Stanford on Jan. 17, 2003. At that time the Ducks were 2-0 and beat the Cardinal, 32-6. The Ducks nearly swept Stanford, winning eight of 10 matches.