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2/9/04
THIS WEEK: North Dakota State University's wrestling team heads to Colorado this weekend for a pair of dual meets against Division I opponents Air Force and Northern Colorado. The Bison (11-0, 4-0 NCC) will be at the Academy in Colorado Springs on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT and at UNC in Greeley on Sunday at 3 p.m. CT.
THE SERIES: Saturday will be the fourth meeting between the Bison and Air Force. NDSU leads the all-time series 2-1, winning the 1981-82 matchup 37-9 and the 1991-92 matchup 23-22. Both of those wins were at the Academy. The Falcons‚ only win in the series was a 25-3 rout of the Bison during the 1963-64 season.
Sunday will be the 25th meeting between the Bison and Northern Colorado. NDSU leads the all-time series 22-1-1 after a 24-9 win in Fargo last season. NDSU and UNC first met during the 1979-80 season in Greeley when the Bears handed NDSU its only loss of the series, 24-18.
THE OPPONENTS: Air Force and Northern Colorado appear to be on equal ground heading into this weekend's action. The Falcons and Bears tied 21-21 on Sunday before Air Force was awarded the win by criteria, winning 6 of 10 bouts against the Bears. Air Force improved to 2-3 in duals heading into a meet this Friday with Chadron State (NE) before the Bison dual. Northern Colorado is 2-7 heading into a Thursday dual at Western State (CO).
MEETING OF THE MAUGHANS: Sunday will be the 17th meeting between Bucky Maughan's NDSU Bison and son Jack Maughan's UNC Bears. Bucky is 15-0-1 against his older son in dual meets. His younger son Bret Maughan will be on the Bison bench in his third year as the top NDSU assistant.
BISON AGAINST DIVISION I FOES: Despite North Dakota State's status as a power in Division II, the Bison have only won five of 25 dual meets against Division I foes over the past 20 seasons. That span includes the 23-22 win at Air Force in 1991-92 and three wins over the University of Nebraska. The other victory was a 27-15 triumph at Wyoming during the 1997-98 campaign.
BRYCE KEY CONTRIBUTOR: Bison heavyweight Joe Bryce has been a stronghold in the NDSU lineup the past few weeks. Bryce has won 13 of his last 15 matches with the only losses coming to the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked wrestlers in Division II. Bryce is third in the latest rankings. His 5-1 overtime win at Augsburg ensured NDSU's 18-13 win over the Auggies, and his pin against Augustana helped the Bison pull away from a one-point lead to a 24-15 win over the Vikings.
KRAEMER, CARLSON CLOSING IN ON TOP 10: Bison seniors Brian Kraemer (92-44) and Paul Carlson (90-36) are closing in on the top 10 list for career victories at North Dakota State. Tenth place is 97 wins, achieved by Matt Strawser from 1999 to 2003. Senior Mike Fiedler (88-34) may still reach that plateau, but Kraemer and Carlson are on pace to keep Fiedler off the list.
BISON WINNING STREAKS: The Bison have a 16-match overall winning streak intact dating back to last season. North Dakota State is 4-0 on its home mat this year and the Bison have won 16 straight duals at the Bison Sports Arena dating back to the 2000-01 season when Division III power Augsburg defeated NDSU 19-12 in Fargo.
NCC WINNING STREAK: North Dakota State is 4-0 in the North Central Conference this year, and the Bison have won 20 straight matches in the conference dating back to a 22-12 loss at Nebraska-Omaha in 2000-01.
DIVISION I TRANSITION: This is North Dakota State's final year of eligibility in NCAA Division II after announcing in August 2002 its plans to reclassify. The Bison will leave the North Central Conference in favor of Division I athletics beginning with the 2004-05 season. The reclassification will encompass all sports at NDSU, including a jump to I-AA on the football field.
NATIONAL RANKINGS: North Dakota State is the unanimous No. 1 team in Division II wrestling according to the Jan. 28 rankings issued by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. NDSU has held that top spot all season. Eight Bison starters are listed in the individual top eights. New rankings are expected this Wednesday.
AROUND THE NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE: North Dakota State remains undefeated in NCC dual meets with only Nebraska-Omaha left in the way of NDSU's 17th conference championship. Starting Friday, the Mavericks wrestle four straight conference duals, finishing the season at NDSU on Feb. 20.