The Big Ten — which Delany said will keep its name regardless of the number of teams — announced on June 11 that Nebraska will join the conference next year. Delany said the expansion process has not ended, but is on pause right now. The commissioner noted the original 12-to-18 month timetable, and only six months have passed in their investigation.

“I think we’re an even stronger conference as a result,” Delany said. “A lot of people wanted to know why we couldn’t get it done faster. In fact, we went faster than we thought we were going to go because Nebraska had some decisions it had to make, which required us to make some decisions.”

Many head coaches exhibited excitement about the addition of Nebraska — which will result in a Big Ten championship game starting in December 2011 — including Penn State head man Joe Paterno.

Paterno said he didn’t give much thought to any divisional alignment, but carries enormous respect for the Cornhuskers.

“I think really that the Nebraska thing was a real good move for the Big Ten,” Paterno said. “Now, whether we needed a couple more schools or not, I think we ought to leave that in the hands of Jim (Delany) and the people that are going around talking to different people, doing some investigating.”

A great concern for the growing conference are the rivalry games, especially ones with top-billing, like Ohio State vs. Michigan. Delany said the divisions must be created with competitive fairness in mind, but he will go to great lengths to ensure that traditional rivalries are respected. The league’s plan for division structure will be announced in the next 30 to 45 days.

Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema expressed hope that the Badgers’ long-standing rivalries with Minnesota and Iowa wouldn’t meet their demise, but Bielema also expressed a strong interest in creating new rivalries. The head coach said a season-ending rivalry game with Nebraska — much like the Ohio State-Michigan game — would be “neat,” and would like for a similar tradition to come to Madison.

Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster was more than hopeful that rivalries remain.

“I think it’s vital to the Big Ten,” Brewster said. “It’s what the Big Ten is all about. The traditions, the rivalries, playing for the Floyd of Rosedale, playing for Paul Bunyan’s Axe is important to those states, to the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.”

Ohio State tops pre-season rankings

Ohio State has been picked to repeat as Big Ten champions in 2010. The pre-season rankings, voted on by Big Ten media, feature the Buckeyes in the top slot, with Iowa coming in second, and Wisconsin rounding out the top three.

Ohio State won the Big Ten crown last season with a record of 11-2 (7-1 Big Ten) and ended its season with a 26-17 victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes have won at least a share of the Big Ten title in each of the last five seasons and look to match their own Big Ten record of six consecutive, set by from 1972-1977.

Pryor, Jones voted top offensive, defensive player

Ohio State boasts the Big Ten pre-season Offensive Player of the Year at quarterback in junior Terrelle Pryor. Pryor is a repeat selection and was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the 2010 Rose Bowl.

Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was voted the conference’s pre-season Defensive Player of the Year. Jones is also a repeat selection and was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year following last season. He was a consensus All-American in 2009.

— By J.T. Bugos

Click to view photo slideshow (36 photos)

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OMAHA, Neb. — Two Iowa seniors shared the spotlight with an up-and-coming freshman Saturday night.

Brent Metcalf, Jay Borschel, and Matt McDonough each won an individual NCAA title to help the Hawkeyes to their third-straight national championship and 23rd overall.

As a team, Iowa amassed 134.5 points — 44.5 more than second-place Cornell. Iowa State finished third with two champions and 75 points.

McDonough edged Iowa State true freshman Andrew Long, 3-1, in the 125-pound title bout, effectively capture his first national championship on a takedown midway through the second period.

In the 149-pound finals, Metcalf avenged his 9-3 Big Ten championship loss to Ohio State senior Lance Palmer, besting the Buckeye, 3-2, thanks in large to a riding time advantage he generated on an early first-period takedown.

Borschel, meanwhile, left nothing to chance in his 174-pound matchup against No. 1 seed Mack Lewnes of Cornell. After taking a 2-0 lead on a first-period takedown, the undefeated senior rolled to a 6-2 win.

Senior 133-pounder Daniel Dennis and sophomore 141-pounder Montell Marion couldn’t follow suit, however.

Dennis held a 4-2 lead over Minnesota senior Jayson Ness heading into the final minute. But with under 15 seconds remaining in the match, Ness lifted and planted the Hawkeye on his back for a takedown and two-point near-fall for the 6-4 go ahead win.

Marion, though, never lead in his match with Cornell freshman Kyle Dake and fell, 7-3.

Be sure to read Monday’s edition of The Daily Iowan for more coverage of the 2010 NCAA wrestling championships, including a complete photo slide show.

— by Ryan Young

Click to view photo slideshow (26 photos)
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By Ryan Young
ryan-c-young@uiowa.edu

OMAHA, Neb. — With eight grapplers still in contention for an individual title, Iowa remains ahead in the team race with 34.5 points after the first day of competition at the NCAA championships.

Poised to capture their third straight national title, the Hawkeyes lead second-place Oklahoma State (26 points) and third-place Iowa State (24 points). Ohio State, Oklahoma State, and Wisconsin are in a deadlock for fourth with 23 points apiece.

The results are still too premature for Iowa head coach Tom Brands, though.

“I’m going to sound like a broken record here: We have to keep a good thing going,” Brands said. “We have a lot of work to do.”

For half of Iowa’s tournament roster, that involves widening the margin of victory. Five Hawkeyes won by decision Thursday night en route to Friday’s championship quarterfinals, while three others posted bonus-point wins.

Seniors Brent Metcalf (149) and Jay Borschel (174) tallied major decisions in the second round before heavyweight Dan Erekson notched Iowa’s first fall inside the Qwest Center — a first-period pin against 12th-seeded big man Scott Steele of Navy.

As a team, the Hawkeyes won 12 bouts by eight points or fewer on Thursday, including a pair of four-point triumphs by All-American 133-pounder Daniel Dennis.

But even though Iowa’s individual outcomes haven’t been overwhelmingly decisive, Dennis said he and his teammates have been controlling their matches.

Dominating may be the goal, but creeping closer to the championship finals is the top priority, he noted. And increased alertness is key in the pursuit.

“This is nationals,” the senior said. “This is what our whole year comes down to, and you fall off track for one match, chances are you’re going to be vulnerable. The focus is at an all-time high for every match.”

Only junior Jake Kerr fell out of championship contention Thursday night. The Oskaloosa, Iowa native dropped an 8-1 decision to top-seeded 157-pounder J.P. O’Connor of Harvard in the second round and is slated to face No. 11-seed Robert Erisman of Oklahoma State Friday morning in the consolation second round.

At 197, Chad Beatty is still viable for a third-place finish after losing his first-round matchup earlier on Thursday. Beatty managed a late reversal in the third period against North Carolina’s Dennis Drury to win, 5-4.

Team standings:
1. Iowa: 34.5
2. Oklahoma State: 26
3. Iowa State: 24
4. Ohio State: 23
- Oklahoma: 23
- Wisconsin: 23
7. Cornell: 22
8. Minnesota: 20
9. Missouri: 18.5
10. Central Michigan: 17

Championship second-round results:
125 — No. 3 Matt McDonough (I) dec. Anthony Zanetta (Pitt), 10-6
133 — No. 2 Daniel Dennis (I) dec. Kelly Kubec (Oregon State), 4-0
141 — No. 6 Montell Marion (I) dec. Conor Beebe (Central Mich), 10-5
149 — No. 2 Brent Metcalf (I) major dec. Kyle Borshoff (American), 20-7
157 — No. 1 J.P. O’Connor (Harvard) dec. Jake Kerr (I), 8-1
165 — No. 7 Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. Alex Meade (Ok State), 3-1
174 — No. 2 Jay Borschel (I) major dec. Daniel Rinaldi (Rutgers), 10-0
184 — No. 9 Phillip Keddy (I) dec. No. 8 Louis Caputo (Harvard), 6-2
HWT — No. 5 Dan Erekson (I) pinned No. 12 Scott Steele (Navy), 2:36

Wrestle-back second-round results:
197 — No. 9 Chad Beatty dec. Dennis Drury (NC), 5-4

Championship quarterfinal matches:
125 — No. 3 Matt McDonough (I) vs. Jarrod Garnett (VA Tech)
133 — No. 2 Daniel Dennis (I) vs. No. 10 Nick Fanthorpe (Iowa State)
141 — No. 6 Montell Marion (I) vs. Germane Lindsey (Ohio)
149 — No. 2 Brent Metcalf (I) vs. No. 7 Mitch Mueller (Iowa State)
165 — No. 7 Ryan Morningstar (I) vs. No. 2 Jarrod King (Edin)
174 — No. 2 Jay Borschel (I) vs. No. 10 Jordan Blanton (Illinois)
184 — No. 9 Phillip Keddy (I) vs. No. 1 Kirk Smith (Boise State)
HWT — No. 5 Dan Erekson (I) vs. No. 4 Konrad Dudziak (Duke)

Consolation third round matches:
157 — Jake Kerr (I) vs. No. 11 Robert Erisman (OK State)
197 — No. 9 Chad Beatty vs. Joseph Kennedy (Lehigh)

All-American heavyweight Dan Erekson did not make his season debut against the Wolverines. Instead, Iowa’s Blake Rasing took the mat and closed out the dual with a 6-1 decision over Ben Apland.

Daniel Dennis won his bout at 133 for the Hawkeyes, shutting down Zac Stevens, 2-0. Meanwhile, two-time defending Big Ten champion Brent Metcalf posted the lone technicall fall in 6:47 with a 22-7 win.

At 165, Ryan Morningstar edged Michigan’s Aaron Hynes, 6-4, in sudden victory. And Luke Lofthouse upset Michigan’s No. 9-ranked 197-pounder Anthony Biondo, 9-6.

– by Ryan Young

No. 1 Iowa 36, Michigan 0
125 – Matt McDonough (I) maj. dec. Sean Boyle (M), 14-3
133 – Daniel Dennis (I) dec. Zac Stevens (M), 2-0
141 – Montell Marion (I) maj. dec. Mark Weber (M), 19-6
149 – Brent Metcalf (I) tech. fall Mark Boyer (M), 22-7 in 6:47
157 – Aaron Janssen (I) maj. dec. Dave Johnson (M), 12-4
165 – Ryan Morningstar (I) dec. Aaron Hynes (M), 6-4 SV
174 – Jay Borschel (I) dec. Justin Zeerip (M), 6-0
184 – Phillip Keddy (I) maj. dec. Erich Smith (M), 10-2
197 – Luke Lofthouse (I) dec. Anthony Biondo (M), 9-6
HWT – Blake Rasing (I) dec. Ben Apland (M), 6-1

“Anthony Tucker was arrested for public intoxication last night. I have communicated with men’s basketball coach Todd Lickliter.  At this point, I do not have all the details of the incident. I can tell you, we are able to confirm that Anthony Tucker was arrested.  Based on that confirmation, Anthony will be suspended for an indefinite period of time.

“First and foremost, I wanted to make sure Anthony is okay from a physical safety standpoint, and he is.  Certainly, I am disappointed because this is not the first legal incident involving alcohol.

“I will have no further statement until we learn more about the incident.”

— by Scott Miller

The loss drops the Hawkeyes to 4-8 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, the Spartans improved their overall and Big Ten records to 12-3 and 3-0, respectively.

All three Michigan State goals came in the first half. Adelle Lever tallied the first Spartan goal, coming on a deflection off a penalty corner at the 26:40 mark.

Floor Rijpma scored her 13th goal of the season less than three minutes later to extend Michigan State’s lead to 2-0.

The game’s final goal came just eight seconds before halftime, once again scored by Lever on a deflection. Manouk Vernij was credited with the assist.

Michigan State out-shot Iowa, 15-1, with Hawkeye senior Tricia Dean recording the team’s lone attempt at the goal. Iowa freshman goalkeeper Kathleen McGraw made six saves, tying her season-high.

Iowa returns to Grant Field for a Big Ten match-up against Penn State (5-9, 1-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m.

— by Jordan Garretson

After gaining only three rushing yards in the first half, the right side of Iowa’s offensive line helped running back Adam Robinson rack up 41 yards on only three carries on the Hawkeyes’ first drive of the second half.

A 40-yard field goal from Daniel Murray put Iowa up 23-14 with 10:45 remaining in the quarter. That marked Murray’s third field goal of the night — a career high for the Iowa City native.

Iowa’s defense continued to stifle Forcier and Co., quickly putting a stop to the Wolverines’ next drive. Binns registered his second pass knockdown of the quarter on Forcier’s third-down pass.

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw three consecutive incompletions on the Hawkeyes’ next possession, the last of which was nearly intercepted by Donovan Warren — the same player who returned Stanzi’s first-quarter interception for a touchdown.

Following Ryan Donahue’s 49-yard punt, Michigan running back Brandon Minor had gains of five, seven, nine, six, and 12 yards to put the Wolverines inside the red zone for only the second time all game.

Minor capped off the 10-play, 57-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run up the middle, brining the score to 23-21 with 4:23 remaining in the quarter.

The Hawkeyes got back to their running game on their next drive but were forced punt with just under a minute left in the quarter.

But Michigan’s Greg Mathews muffed the punt into his own red zone and Iowa’s William Lowe recovered the ball on Michigan’s 16 yard line, marking the Wolverines’ fourth turnover of the night.

At the end of the quarter, Iowa was facing a 3rd and goal from the 3 yard line.

Iowa 23, Michigan 21.

— by Scott Miller

It was unclear whether Stanzi badly missed his target, or the receiver ran an incorrect route. Regardless, it was Stanzi’s third pick-six in as many home games.

Freshman Brandon Wegher, who made his debut on kick returns against the Wolverines, returned the ensuing kickoff to the Iowa 43 yard line.

From there, the Hawkeyes staged a nine-play, 57-yard drive, which was capped off by a 34-yard Tony Moeaki touchdown down the seam from Stanzi. It appeared that Stanzi changed the play before the snap.

On the second play of Michigan’s drive, a holding penalty on Stephen Schilling put the Wolverines in a 3rd-and-long situation. Iowa linebacker Jeremiah Hunter intercepted true freshman QB Tate Forcier on 3rd and 10.

Daniel Murray’s 29-yard field goal put the Hawkeyes up 10-7.

Michigan running back Brandon Minor easily found holes in the Iowa defense on the next drive. On 4th and 4, it was Forcier’s legs that got the Wolverines a key first down. Three plays later, Minor scored a touchdown on a three-yard run with 1:12 remaining in the quarter.

Michigan 14, Iowa 10.

— by Scott Miller