The University of Missouri wrestling team, ranked No. 20 nationally, will travel to Oklahoma for two Big 12 conference duals this weekend. The Tigers are scheduled to face No. 22 Oklahoma on Saturday, Feb. 1 at McCasland Field House in Norman and No. 3 Oklahoma State on Sunday, Feb. 2 at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Missouri enters the road trip with a record of 5-7 overall and 4-1 in Big 12 competition. The team recently secured a home victory over West Virginia by a score of 22-16, marking its first win over a ranked opponent this season and extending its current winning streak to three matches. Kade Moore earned a fall at 133 pounds, while James Conway achieved a major decision at 157 pounds during the match against West Virginia.
“With his pin of Tommy Maddox of West Virginia, Kade Moore became the first two-time winner of the Outstanding Wrestler belt presented by UFC Fight Pass,” according to the release. Moore has recorded five falls in his last six matches and seven of his nine wins this season have come with bonus points.
Logan Gioffre returned to Missouri’s starting lineup at 149 pounds against West Virginia after being out since November due to injury, earning his third dual win of the season with a narrow victory over Sam Hillegas.
In January, Missouri hosted five home duals, going 3-2 overall and remaining undefeated (3-0) against Big 12 opponents during that stretch.
The upcoming match against Oklahoma marks the 59th meeting between the two programs dating back to Missouri’s inaugural wrestling season in 1923. Oklahoma leads the series overall; however, under head coach Brian Smith, Missouri holds a positive record against the Sooners and has not lost to them since the 2016-17 season.
“Despite the overall series record, MIssouri is 14-9 against Oklahoma under current head coach Brian Smithand has not lost to the Sooners since the 2016-17 season,” states the release.
Missouri’s most recent contest versus Oklahoma resulted in a dominant performance on December 1, with major decision wins from Noah Surtin and Brock Mauller and a pin by Keegan O’Toole contributing to a decisive team victory.
Against Oklahoma State—the Tigers’ opponent on Sunday—Missouri trails historically but has seen improved results under Coach Smith since their first win over OSU in the early 2000s. In their last matchup on February 4th of last year, Missouri was defeated by Oklahoma State despite notable individual victories from Keegan O’Toole and Rocky Elam.
The Tigers continue to manage injuries among key athletes: “Most recently, Tiger Style was forced to announce it will be without 184-pound starter and two-time NCAA qualifier Colton Hawks for the time being,” according to team officials. Senior Rocky Elam will also miss this season due to multiple injuries; Keegan O’Toole is expected back for postseason competition following recovery from an earlier injury; Noah Surtin announced his medical retirement late last year.
Currently ranked No. 20 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), Missouri has six wrestlers recognized in national rankings by InterMat and FloWrestling platforms; Keegan O’Toole holds top spots both pound-for-pound and within his weight class per FloWrestling evaluations.
After this weekend’s matches in Oklahoma, Missouri returns home for its final dual meet of the regular season versus Iowa State on Saturday, Feb. 26 at noon CT.