It's a great afternoon for a Big Ten Live Blog, in my humble estimation.

First whistle is scheduled for 2:30 ET, 1:30 CT (and local time in Lincoln). Full Cornhusker producer preview available here. Let's party. 

Waiting on the Northwestern vs Maryland dual to end, then we'll likely get going with the Wildcats vs Cornhuskers. NW vs UMD just started their heavyweight bout. 

Nebraska will wrestle Maryland after the Northwestern dual to close out the tri-meet. I won't be blogging that one, despite my constant yearning to blog.

Northwestern wraps up the win 21-12 as Jack Heyob defeats Garrett Kappes of Maryland 2-1 thanks to a riding time point. Should be underway shortly now.

Sidenote: RIP Larry King. I'd like to think he would have started his career as a live blogger if he were to be a fresh face twenty-something journo in the year 2021. 

Projected matchups

125: #8 Liam Cronin, Nebraska vs Matt Vinci, Northwestern

133: Alex Thomsen, Nebraska vs #23 Chris Cannon, Northwestern

141: #6 Chad Red, Nebraska vs Franke Tal-Shahar, Northwestern

149: #18 Brock Hardy, Nebraska vs #11 Yahya Thomas, Northwestern

157: Caleb Licking, Nebraska vs Maxx Mayfield, Northwestern

165: #18 Peyton Robb, Nebraska vs David Ferrante or Ankhaa Enkhmandakh, Northwestern

174: #3 Mikey Labriola, Nebraska vs Troy Fisher, Northwestern

184: #11 Taylor Venz, Nebraska vs Jack Jessen, Northwestern

197: #3 Eric Schultz, Nebraska vs Jon Halvorsen, Northwestern

285: #13 Christian Lance, Nebraska vs Brendan Devine or Jack Heyob, Northwestern

125: #8 Liam Cronin, Nebraska vs Matt Vinci, Northwestern

1st period: It is indeed Vinci and he's on the attack early. Cronin barely manages to fend off a good attack by walking out of bounds and suffering no penalty because is it college wrestling where the rules let you avoid giving up points by going out of bounds (sorry, it happened early and I won't complain about college out of bounds for the rest of the dual, promise). 

Cornin answers back with a throw by for a takedown. Good tough ride for Cronin and he keeps its 2-0 to run out the period. 

2nd period: Vince starts on bottom, gets an escape quickly. Cronin with a down block go behind for two, let's Vinci up, whizzer kick slide by for two more. Cronin lets Vinci up and the period ends 6-3. Cronin with over two minutes of riding time, Vinci also picked up a stall warning. 

3rd period: Cronin's turn underneath. Escape, then an attack, limp arm out of a whizzer to make it 9-3. Cronin smells blood and cuts Vinci on the restart. Cronin goes option start, Vinci too slow to get back to the center and gets hit with a stall call, 10-4. Another TD for Cronin, 1 minute to go, riding time locked up. 12-5 with an escape, 14-5 after another TD. 30 seconds to go. Cronin smashes his enemy, sees him driven from the mat, and hears the lamentation of the coaches. 15-5 is the final.

.@Liam_Cronin125 kicks things off with a 𝗠𝗔𝗝𝗢𝗥 W.

Huskers lead 4-0 thanks to Cronin's 15-5 MD. https://t.co/9iWpRYFwPv pic.twitter.com/KaHN2f8TRn

— Husker Wrestling (@HuskerWrestling) January 23, 2021

4-0 Nebraska leads the team score. 

133: Alex Thomsen, Nebraska vs #23 Chris Cannon, Northwestern

1st period: Cannon attacks early, Thomsen tried to cartwheel his hips over. Cannon fights thru for the TD but Thomsen is quickly out. It's 2-1, still 2 minutes left in the period. Cannon passes the elbow for a pretty high-c to score again. 4-1, Cannon riding tough, 1 minute to go in the first. Cannon with legs in, almost gets bucked off but maintains control. Rides out the period, amassing 1:30 of RT, leads 4-1.

2nd period: Escape and takedown from Cannon in short order and Thomsen is beginning to look outmatched. He trails 7-1 midway through the 2nd. Thomsen bumped up from 125 last season. He was 13-15 but qualified for the NCAA tournament. Cannon was 19-2 while redshirting.

Cannon up to 3 minutes of riding, 14 seconds left on the clock as we go to a restart. Cannon unable to get any turns but he's staying active on top. 

3rd period: Thomsen elects to go neutral and I don't blame him. Cannon warned for a headgear pull but no penalty yet. Cannon needs a score to make this a major even with the riding time. Cannon sweeps across the mat with another high-crotch. Penetrates deep and finishes for those major-securing points. It's 9-1. Suck back on a sit out from Thomsen and Cannon getting swipes. Four near fall points and that'll ice it. 13-1, RT locked up. 14-1 is the final. 

Impressive work from Cannon as the Wildcats answer back with a bonus win of their own. 

4-4 tied dual meet. 

141: #6 Chad Red, Nebraska vs Colin Valdiviez, Northwestern

1st period: We don't see Tal-Shahar, who wrestled against Maryland. Colin Valdiviez is the starter here, he attacks early. Red sits the corner looking for a cradle, where he's so dangerous. But Valdiviez battles through and secures the takedown. Early 2-0 lead for the junior from Northwestern/

 Red escapes. There's a scramble late but the period ends with Valdiviez leading 2-1. 

2nd period: Red is a two-time NCAA All-American and was a NWCA AA last season and is the favorite on paper. Valdiviez, however, made it to the round of 16 as a true freshman at 133 pounds a few years ago so he is not to be overlooked. He looks like a full size 141 too. 

Red starts on bottom, throws Valdiviez off and quickly covers for a reversal. Valdiviez is out soon to knot it up at 3-3.

3rd period: Red starts on top. RT will be a factor if Red can get a decent ride going. Looking for a tilt, then walking Valdiviez out of bounds, Red doesn't score but he does have a 1:11 of riding time before Valdieviez can finally get the escape. It's 4-3 for Valdiviez but we'll get OT if it ends this way. Red on a single leg, cracks back for two. Valdiviez grabs a leg for himself and they scramble. Wildcat corner wants a challenge of Red's takedown. We'll get a review. 

Red leads 5-4 and has RT locked up if the challenge is lost. Call on the mat is reversed, no takedown. Nothing to lose on the challenge so good brick and it paid off. 4-3 with 38 seconds left on the restart. Red goes back to the single, this time he finished, no doubt about it. 5-4, riding time locked up. Red rides out for the 6-4 victory. 

Hard fought win to but the Huskers back on top. 

RED ALERT! ‼️@HuskerWrestling's @_cjred is red hot after that come-from-behind win over Colin Valdiviez. @trackwrestling pic.twitter.com/ubl3mGK6kR

— Nebraska On BTN (@NebraskaOnBTN) January 23, 2021

7-4 Nebraska leads. 

149: #18 Brock Hardy, Nebraska vs #11 Yahya Thomas, Northwestern

1st period: A marquee match in my humble opinion. 197 could also be legit. Thomas with a wonderful fake to a single, but Hardy spins to face Thomas just in time. Quick stall warning on Hardy but Thomas has been forcing the action. Another single leg from Thomas, he drags Hardy back to the center and secures the takedown with a back trip. Good ride from Thomas and it's 2-0 with nearly a minute of riding time. 

2nd period: Yahya starts underneath. Hardy about the same age as Thomas as he has spent the last two years on a religious mission in Rio de Janeiro. Thomas up to his feet. Hardy doesn't bring him down fast enough and picks up his second stall call, so Thomas earns his third point. Hardy shrugs it off and keeps riding, erasing Thomas all of Thomas' RT clock. 

Down it's Thomas' turn to pick up a stall call for spending to much time on his stomach. That was the motivation Thomas needed as he stands up and escapes for another point in short time. 

3rd period: Hardy gets a turn on bottom, trailing 4-0. A couple mat returns for Thomas and he chews up 30 seconds just like that. Hardy to his feet but Thomas sticking to him. He stays on top with only 1:08 to go in regulation. Still 4-0. Thomas frustrating Hardy's every attempt, staying on an ankle just long enough but not too long to pick up a stall. Finally Hardy is out with 20 seconds to go. RT not a factor. Hardy shoots but doesn't get too close. It's a 4-1 win for Yahya Thomas. Well done by both wrestlers. 

7-7 tie score again.

157: Caleb Licking, Nebraska vs Maxx Mayfield, Northwestern

1st period: Still no Deakin yet this season. Cautious first minute between Licking and Mayfield. Both wrestlers from Nebraska so our local announcer for BTN Plus (who has been excellent) has lots of great high school annecdoates. 

Straight on shot for Mayfield, gets a single leg, BIG back trip and two points for Northwestern. Mayfield drives Licking back to the mat on a stand up, close to locking up a cradle but Licking flexes out of danger and then picks up an escape. 2-1 Mayfield in the lead at the break.

2nd period: Licking stands, Mayfield slaps on a tight two-on-one, brings Licking down, and holds a furiously kicking Licking down for a two count, just barely. There's no sticking Licking. Now Licking escapes and its 4-2. Those nearfall points could be huge for Mayfield. 

3rd period: Mayfield chooses neutral. He's in on a shot early, a scramble ensues, valuable time for Licking ticking away. Licking comes out on top of the scramble and picks up two crucial points. It's tied 4-4. Riding time not a factor. Yet. 1 minute to go. I don't see the RT clock but a ride out just might give Licking the victory. Mayfield stuck underneath. Doesn't look like there was enough on the clock for an RT point. 

We're going to OT. If you're picking Licking you've still got a shot to win. 

Sudden Victory: Mayfield takes the first shot. He's on Licking's legs. Neutral danger a couple times but no score. Finally Mayfield scores to win the match. Local Lincol product guts out the win and gives the Wildcats the lead again. 

10-7 Northwestern. 

165: #18 Peyton Robb, Nebraska vs David Ferrante, Northwestern

1st period: Robb comes out guns blazing. Doesn't score on the first attempt but Russian tie to a firemans dump gives Peyton the first takedown. Escape and its 2-1. Robb digs in two underhooks. Tries a throw by, then just horses Ferrante to the mat and the takedown. 4-1 at the break.

2nd period: Robb starts on bottom, escapes to make it 5-1. RT at 58 seconds. Shot by Robb is stalemated. Ferrante on a shot and it's stuffed by Robb. Nice front headlock feet to back exposure for Robb but alas, there are no points for that in folkstyle, and Ferrante wrestles back to neutral. The score is still 5-1 in favor of Robb. Shot by Ferrante but Robb blitzes past him on the counter to run it to 7-1, not 7-2 with a late escape. 

3rd period: Ferrante on bottom. Ecapes for Ferrante, 7-3 is the score, RT close to locked up for Robb. Anticipation, strength and speed gives Robb another counter takedown. Oh no it doesn't. I blogged too quickly, Ferrante saved by the out of bounds. Double by Robb, great whipover counter by Ferrante but again, no expsore points. Attack from Robb but this time it was Ferrante who looked faster and stronger and he scores the go behind. Too late to make a difference in the matcha nd Robb mobs on Ferrante for the 7-5 victory. 

Once again, the team score is tied, 10-10. 

174: #3 Mikey Labriola, Nebraska vs Troy Fisher, Northwestern

1st period: Labriola the heavy favorite. Duck under for an early takedown. 2-1 after the escape. Single leg, back trip finish, 4-1 Labs. Fisher gets another escape 4-2. Snap down, ankle pick, finish through a short scramble and Labriola runs it to 6-2. Very active first period. Labriola with the rideout to end the period.

2nd period: Labs underneath. Granby roll for the escape. Vicious head shrugs from Labriola, no takedown but looked quite powerful. Ankle pick score and Labriola is pouring it on. Cut, deep sprawl go behind, another escape and its 11-4 just like that. 

3rd period: Seven point lead with 2:11 of riding time and Labriola will be pushing for the tech fall in the third. A major appears all but guaranteed. Labs gets a head wrap to staunch some bleeding above his left eye. 

Fisher escapes and to his credit continues to attack. 11-5 with a minute left in the match. Shot from Fisher, Labriola sits the corner and locks up the cradle. Fisher tapping the mat, he appears hurt. They stop the action, but not before awarding Labriola two more. It's 13-5 as Fisher's ankle is attended to. 

Fisher is okay to continue, which means Labriola gets choice. He takes bottom, escapes and get s a takedown to make it 16-5. He cuts Fisher and gets another takedown. 18-6. Optional start, 18-7, RT locked up. Fisher fights off Labriola's final assault of the match. 19-7 major decision. Dominant win by Mikey Labriola. 

14-10 Nebraska

184: #11 Taylor Venz, Nebraska vs Jon Halvorsen, Northwestern

1st period: Venz wastes no time, single leg for a takedown, roll thru tilt for two more nearfall. Cross face bundle gets a couple more for Venz. 6-0 early in the first. Bow and arrow, then a chancery grip for four more. 10-0 and I can't hit save fast enough. 

Venz doing his best Spencer Lee impression right now. Stall warning on Halversen. Tight waist-under hook suck back for two more. 12-0 as Venz rides out the period, fully in command. 

2nd period: Outside step swim single for Venz doesn't land. Action slowing down, understandable as that was not the most sustainable pace in the first. Venz induces another stall on Halvorsen to make it 13-0. Shot by Halvorson, Venz stops it and gets the go-behind with 3 seconds left to earn the tech fall. 16-0 with the RT point. 

About as dominant as you can be.

Shutout ✅
Tech Fall ✅

Venz gives the Huskers a 19-10 lead. #ToughTogether pic.twitter.com/2AiBmYzex1

— Husker Wrestling (@HuskerWrestling) January 23, 2021

19-10 Nebraska in good shape going into the final two bouts. 

197: #3 Eric Schultz, Nebraska vs #6 Lucas Davison, Northwestern

1st period: We get our top 10 matchup. This is big for both wrestlers as ranked opponents will be few and far between in this covid-altered shortened season. Cautious first period. Both guys hand fighting, jockeying for an angle. Shot from Davison but we're quickly back in neutral. Davison shoots Schultz out of bounds but that's fine. It means nothing. 0-0 end of the first period.

2nd period: Davison starts down. No stalls on either wrestler. Davison up and out in a hurry, immediately down on a leg. Schultz hopping on one leg, near the boundary. He circles back to the center and gets his leg free. Schultz in on a shot. They tumble out of bounds while on the mat. Back to the center, 1-0 Davison. Schultz reached for a knee pick, whizzer kick out of danger by Davison. Short flurries but no scores. 

3rd period: Schultz on bottom, looking to tie the score. He stands and is loose. 1-1. RT not a factor and doubtful it will become one. Davison shoots, no dice. Schultz shoots, Davison backs out of bounds. No stall call, no problem. Davison attacks. Stalemated. 30 seconds to go. Davison shot, down block go behind for Schultz. That's two with 20 seconds to go. 3-1, Davison escapes 3-2. Ten seconds later and its final. Schultz wins a close one 3-2!

This takedown by Schultz was the deciding factor in his victory over No. 11 Lucas Davison.#ToughTogether #GBR pic.twitter.com/GDoAj1NTh7

— Husker Wrestling (@HuskerWrestling) January 23, 2021

Nebraska clinches the dual. It's 22-10 going into heavyweight.  

285: #13 Christian Lance, Nebraska vs Jack Heyob, Northwestern

1st period: Decent attacks from both wrestlers but no scores halfway through the first. Heyob with a single leg, down on the mat, Lance tries to sit the corner but the period expires before either of them could score their first point. 

2nd period: Heyob escapes quickly to draw first blood. An active and opportunistic Lance spies a vulnerable ankle and strikes to gain the lead 2-1. Heyob escapes again to tie it up. Snatch single and short running of the pike gives Lance a 4-2 lead in short time. 

3rd period: Lance's turn underneath. Heyob throws in a leg, looks for a an arm, but Lance stands and steps away for a 5-3 lead. Low level double makes it 7-2, Lance asserting himself now. RT over a minute with just over a minute left in the match. Escape Heyob, takedown Lance, escape Heyob, takedown Lance. 11-4 with 20 seconds left. 

That'll do it. 12-4 major for Christian Lance.

Nebraska takes it 26-10!

Folks, its been a pleasure live blogging this Big Ten Dual on a splendid Saturday afternoon. Apologies for the typos and see you next time!