Rutgers University’s No. 17 wrestling team lost to No. 12 Illinois, 17-16, on Jan. 24 at Huff Hall in Champaign, Illinois. The match ended in a 16-16 tie, but Illinois was awarded the win based on Criteria C—total match points—with a narrow advantage of 46-42.
The outcome highlights the close competition between the two teams and underscores how tiebreaker rules can determine results in collegiate wrestling duals. Both teams won five matches each during the event.
Ryan Ford, competing up a weight class at 174 pounds, secured a major decision over Colin Kelly, who is ranked No. 25. Other Rutgers winners included Remy Cotton (197), Hunter Catka (heavyweight), Andrew Clark (149), and Tahir Parkins (141). Parkins earned his first career dual win with an overtime victory against Kole Brower.
Ayden Smith (125) and Dylan Shawver (133) both lost decisions to ranked opponents from Illinois, including Shawver’s close match against reigning national champion Lucas Byrd. Despite these early setbacks, Rutgers tied the score midway through the dual with wins from Parkins and Clark in extra time bouts.
Illinois regained momentum before intermission as Anthony White lost by major decision to Kannon Webster at 157 pounds. After intermission, Andrew Barbosa fell to Braeden Scoles at 165 pounds before Ford’s strong performance brought Rutgers closer on the scoreboard. In later matches, Cotton and Catka both won decisions for Rutgers; however, Catka needed a major decision for Rutgers to secure an overall victory but finished with a regular decision instead.
With the dual tied at 16-16 after all matches were completed, Illinois received an additional team point due to having more total match points scored across all bouts—a rule known as Criteria C—resulting in their official win.
Rutgers will return home for its next meet against Maryland on Friday, January 30 at Jersey Mike’s Arena.