Columbia, Mo. ? With several members of Missouri?s third-ranked wrestling team (12-3) plagued with the flu, the Tigers fell to UTC (16-1), 40-8, in the Hearnes Center. Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith was forced to forfeit at five weight classes giving the Mocs of UTC an automatic 30-point advantage. ?This sickness has been a nightmare,? Smith said. ?We?re slowly getting guys healthy, but it?s been hard training with so few bodies in the room.? After forfeiting at 125, 133, 141 and 149 pounds, redshirt freshman Dane Espinosa (Neosho, Mo.) made his debut in the Tiger starting lineup, wrestling at 157 pounds. Battling with Jake Yost, Espinosa suffered an 11-2 loss by major decision, scoring both points on escapes. Junior James Williamson (Blue Springs, Mo.) took the mat next for Missouri at 165 pounds. Coming off of a Wednesday night win against Old Dominion, Williamson faced off with T.J. Sayers and was held to only one escape in his 8-1 loss. Prior to the start of the afternoon dual, Missouri recognized its senior co-captains, Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) and Matt Pell (Luxemburg, Wis.). Despite a bout of the flu, Askren wrestled at 174 pounds and extended his win streak to 78, earning a 10-1 major decision over 16th-ranked Lloyd Rogers. Askren took a 4-1 lead into the second period after recording two takedowns. Starting down to open the second period, Askren escaped and again took down his Moc opponent. Askren managed a final takedown with 10 seconds left on the clock, tacking on 1:16 of riding time for the 10-1 victory. ?Ben is by far one of the greatest competitors I?ve ever coached,? Smith said. ?He?s been great to work with these past five seasons. It?s been fun watching him grow and develop into the wrestler you see today.? Sophomore Raymond Jordan (New Bern, N.C.) extended Missouri?s win streak to two matches with his 16-6 win by major decision over Josh Edmondson. Jordan recorded seven takedowns in the bout and collected 2:59 of riding time. Missouri?s final bout of the day came at heavyweight after a Missouri forfeit at 197 pounds. Redshirt freshman Mark Ellis (Peculiar, Mo.) suffered a one point, 2-1, loss to 13th-ranked Matt Koz, earning his point off of Koz?s continual stalling. ?We?ll be ready for the Big 12 Championships,? Smith said. ?This bug that hit our team is on its way out and we?ll be back in the room training hard and preparing as soon as possible.? The Tigers will have two weeks to prepare for the 11th annual Big 12 Wrestling Championships held in the Hearnes Center, Saturday, March 3 beginning at 11 a.m. (CT). This marks Missouri?s third time hosting the league Championships since the formation of the Big 12 in 1996. In Missouri?s second time hosting, 2003, the Tigers were honored with their first-ever wrestling Big 12 Champion, Tyron Woodley, at 165 pounds. All session passes for the all-day event are $18 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Those interested in attending a single session can purchase a ticket for $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors or $4 for youth with a USA Wrestling card. All tickets can be purchased in advance through the Mizzou Arena box office, on line at www.mutigers.com, or by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS. REMINDER: BIG 12 MEDIA CREDENTIAL REQUESTS ARE DUE TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS EMILY GATEWOOD NO LATER THAN MONDAY, FEB. 19. Wt. Wrestler vs. Wrestler: Result MU UTC 125 UTC wins by forfeit 0 6 133 UTC wins by forfeit 0 12 141 UTC wins by forfeit 0 18 149 UTC wins by forfeit 0 24 157 Jake Yost (UTC) maj. dec. Dane Espinosa (MU): 11-2 0 28 165 T.J. Sayers (UTC) dec. James Williamson (MU): 8-1 0 31 174 #1 Ben Askren (MU) maj. dec. #16 Lloyd Rogers (UTC): 10-1 4 31 184 #5 Raymond Jordan (MU) maj. dec. Josh Edmondson (UTC): 16-6 8 31 197 UTC wins by forfeit 8 37 HWT #13 Matt Koz (UTC) dec. #20 Mark Ellis (MU): 2-1 8 40