From Northern Colorado:

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Northern Colorado wrestling is back on the mat this weekend. UNC travels west to take on Fresno State on Saturday night for the team's second Big-12 dual of the season.

Its been two weeks since the Bears have competed, but the team is still focused and motivated after early successes.

UNC defeated West Virginia, 31-10, in Bank of Colorado Arena, winning seven matches, earning bonus points in four. The win was UNC 's first win over the Mountaineers since joining the Big 12 in 2015.

Dalton Robertson stunned Brandon Ngati in 2-1 decision win in the 285-pound match. Robertson's win earned him Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, only the second Bear to earn the award since joining the conference.

Alan Clothier was electric in his dual debut for the Bears, getting the fall on West Virginia's Jackson Moomau at 1:16.

Five Bears made their first career dual starts against the Mountaineers, and the underclassman impressed with an undefeated record. Brody Lamb delivered the clinching win for UNC, pinning Caleb Rea to put UNC up 26-4. Andrew Alirez made his highly-anticipated debut with a 17-0 tech fall on Seth Houge in front of his hometown fans. Mosha Schwartz was aggressive in his debut, getting eight takedowns on the Mountaineers Lucas Siebert on the way to a 22-7 tech fall. Billy Higgins started the dual off with a 11-4 decision win over Scott Joll and Jace Koelzer had a 4-1 decision win over Joey Thomas.

The Bears will look to keep the season's early momentum going as they continue in their Big-12 dual schedule.

From Fresno State:

Bulldog Headlines

• Fresno State will host Northern Colorado on Saturday for its Big 12 opener.
• The 'Dogs are coming off the Roadrunner Open on Sunday where five Bulldogs were crowned champions (Gary Joint , DJ Lloren, Jacob Wright, Jackson Hemauer & AJ Nevills).
• The Bulldogs are 2-0 against Northern Colorado as Big 12 opponents.
• The 'Dogs are 1-1 in Big 12 openers with a win at Northern Colorado in 2018 and a loss to Air Force in 2017.

By The Numbers

3 - 'Dogs enter their third season in the Big 12 with a 5-9 mark in 14 conference duals in their first two seasons in the conference

5 - Number of ranked Bulldog wrestlers as Gary Joint, Greg Gaxiola, Jacob Wright, Jackson Hemauer & Josh Hokit are all nationally-ranked

5 - Number of 'Dogs who earned titles at the Roadrunner Open last Sunday at CSU Bakersfield

Scouting Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado comes into Saturday's meeting against the 'Dogs with a 1-0 record in duals after a 31-10 win over West Virginia at home on Nov. 16.

The Bears, who opened the season with six champions at the Cowboy Open on Nov. 2 and four champions at the Northern Colorado Open on Nov. 10 feature five ranked wrestlers. Trie freshman 149-pounder Andrew Alirez leads the way at No. 13 by Trackwrestling. Alirez is joined by 165-pound redshirt senior Austin Matthews, No. 33 by Trackwrestling, while Alan Clothier at 184 pounds is No. 23, Jacob Seely is No. 27 at 197 pounds and heavyweight Robert Winters Jr. is No. 31.

In addition to Winters Jr. at heavyweight, the Bears also feature Dalton Robertson who was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week on Nov. 19 after a 3-2 win over then-No. 24 Brandon Ngati of West Virginia.

Seely and 141-pound redshirt sophomore Chris Sandoval return as NCAA Tournament qualifiers from a year ago as the Bears placed 12th at the 2019 Big 12 Championship.

'Dogs open Big 12 action

Fresno State opens its third season as a member of the Big 12 on Saturday after going 4-4 in eight Big 12 duals a season ago. The 'Dogs, who are 5-9 in two seasons in the Big 12, went 2-2 at home last season against Big 12 opponents with wins over South Dakota State (38-3) and No. 11 Wyoming (21-12).

The Bulldogs went 1-5 in Big 12 action in 2017-18 dropping a pair of home duals to Utah Valley and No. 4 Oklahoma State.

Five champs at the Roadrunner Open

Five Bulldog wrestlers captured titles at the Roadrunner Open las Sunday hosted by CSU Bakersfield.

Redshirt sophomore 133-pounder Gary Joint, redshirt junior 141-pounder DJ Lloren, redshirt sophomore 157-pounder Jacob Wright, redshirt sophomore 174-pounder Jackson Hemauer and junior AJ Nevills (unattached) all earned first place in their respective weight classes.

Redshirt junior Greg Gaxiola at 149 pounds, redshirt freshman 165-pounder Adam Kemp, redshirt freshman Hunter Cruz at 184 pounds and freshman Ryan Reyes at 197 pounds were each runner-ups.

Home Opener vs Rutgers

Fresno State got a major decision from Gaxiola at 149 pounds and decisions from Lloren at 141 pounds, Kemp at 165 pounds and Hemauer at 174 pounds against Rutgers on Nov. 15 in the 'Dogs home opener that saw the 'Dogs fall 23-13 to the Scarlet Knights.

Wright earns Big 12 Co-Wrestler of the Week

For the second time in program history, Fresno State Wrestling had a Big 12 Wrestler of the Week after Wright was named the Big 12 Co-Wrestler of the Week on Nov. 5 after going 3-0 at the AFC Duals/Battle on the Midway.

'Dogs at AFC Duals/Battle on the Midway

The Bulldogs opened up the 2019-20 season on Friday, Nov. 1 at the AFC Duals and the Battle on the Midway in San Diego falling 31-8 to No. 4 Wisconsin, 25-9 to Navy and 29-9 to No. 23 Army.

Wright went a perfect 3-0 on the day with three decisions while Hemauer and Gaxiola earned two wins apiece.