When two squads are evenly matched in almost every aspect, the little things determine a winner. The Boise State wrestling team’s poise in the final seconds proved to be the difference against a similar Oregon squad.
No. 11 Boise State and No. 12 Oregon were so evenly matched that each bout went down to a decision by less than four points. The outcome of every match was in doubt until the third period or overtime, which is where the Broncos edged the Ducks.
“They have a style that took us out of ours,” Oregon head coach Chuck Kearney said. “But the bottom line is in the matches we lost we got out-toughed. At some point you’ve got to dig down and find a way to win.”
Of the six matches won by Boise State, three were overtime battles, four more were tied going into the final period.
The heart of Oregon’s lineup from 184 pounds to 133 pounds, which was a combined 104-29 coming into the match, was dealt a major blow by Boise State. After six matches, Boise State led 15-6 with the Ducks’ best wrestlers behind them.
“We got pushed around,” Kearney said. “We didn’t stand up and hold our ground. We let down a little bit and we can’t allow that to happen.”
No. 7 Senior Doug Lee earned his second straight win over No. 8 rival Cash Edwards this season, winning 10-6.
“I wasn’t feeling too good coming into the match,” Lee said. “But it’s a big confidence builder to not feel good and still pull out the win.”
Sophomore Eric Webb continued his strong play this season, knocking off yet another ranked opponent in No. 19 Bart Johnson. Webb broke open a close match with two slamming takedowns and a two point nearfall to win 7-3.
“That’s the first time I’ve beaten [Johnson],” Webb said. “I know he’s not aggressive on his feet. It was just a matter of confidence.”
The remainder of Oregon’s ranked wrestlers all lost close matches. Senior Chael Sonnen, juniors Shaun Williams, Eugene Harris and sophomore Brian Watson all dropped close decisions by less than two points.
Boise State’s aggressiveness was evident in the three sudden-death overtime matches, where the first wrestler to score points wins. The Broncos’ Rusty Cook disposed of Sonnen in five seconds at 197 pounds. Charlie Griggs scored a winning takedown against Watson in 32 seconds at 133 pounds. Boise State’s Gabe Vigil earned defeated sophomore Casey Hunt in 50 seconds with a takedown.
Sophomore Tony Overstake’s escape with less than a minute left was just enough to edge the Bronco’s Colin Robertson at 149 pounds for three of Oregon’s 12 points.
Junior Leif Williams earned a victory after Boise State had already clinched the dual victory. Williams evened his season record at 165 pounds with an 8-5 decision over Casey Eager.
With the 18-12 loss, Oregon falls to 7-4, 3-1 in Pacific-10 Conference play. Boise State (2-2, 1-1 Pac-10) now moves into the Conference drivers seat.
“We’re still a work in progress,” Kearney said. “When you haven’t quite arrived as a premiere team, part of the process is a little bit of a choke. I’m hoping this is the choke in our developmental process. Physically, we’re in great shape. Mentally, we’ve got to get tougher.”
Up next for the Ducks is a road trip to California for Pac-10 dual matches with Fresno State and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.