Bedlam Wrestling in Stillwater Sunday

No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 2 Oklahoma State
Date	Sunday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.
Location	Stillwater, Okla. \| Gallagher-Iba Arena
Television	Cowboy Network (Cox channel 703)
Stats	Live Stats

NORMAN, Okla. - Bedlam wrestling hits Stillwater, Okla., this Sunday, Dec. 12 when the eighth-ranked University of Oklahoma squad challenges second-ranked Oklahoma State inside Gallagher-Iba Arena at 6 p.m.

The top-10 matchup marks the Big 12 opener for both squads. Oklahoma (5-0) will attempt to top the Cowboys (2-0) in Stillwater for the first time since Nov. 28, 1995.

"Bedlam is Bedlam, but this is going to be a very special one because if you look at so many of the weights they are going to be highly-contested," head coach Jack Spate's said. "I think it is going to be a fan fest. It's going to be an exciting meet and I think it is going to go right down to the wire."

The Sooners are 2-3-1 against the Cowboys in the past six meetings, with all three losses coming on the road.

Bedlam Match Notes

The Sooners are coming off a fourth place finish at the 29th Annual Cliff Keen Invitational. Additionally, five Sooners placed in the top five of their respective weight classes. Senior Nathan Fernandez won the heavyweight title after posting a 5-0 record at the event, while sophomore Jarrod Patterson placed second among 125 pounders.

The rivalry is set to be broadcast by Cox Channel 7 in Oklahoma City and Channel 3 in Tulsa.

RANKINGS RUNDOWN

Six are ranked for Oklahoma in this week's Intermat individual ranking, led by fifth-ranked Jarrod Patterson at 141 pounds. Also ranked in the top 10 is No. 6 Zack Bailey (197 pounds), No. 7 Tyler Caldwell (174) and No. 8 Nathan Fernandez (HWT).

Erich Schmidtke stands 13th at 184 pounds. Sophomore Chase Nelson rounds out the rankings at No. 18 wrestling at 165 pounds.

Oklahoma State counters with nine ranked, including six in Intermat's Top-10. Jordan Oliver leads all Cowboys ranked No. 1 at 133 pounds. Jamal Parks (149) and Clayton Foster (197) are each ranked fourth in their respective weight classes. Dallas Bailey checks in at No. 6 at 165 and Jon Morrison at No. 7 among 125 pounders. Albert White is ranked No. 10 at 157 pounds.

Ranked No. 11 is 174-pound Mike Benefiel, followed by No. 16 Chris Perry competing at 184 pounds. 141 pounder Luke Silver is the final Cowboy in the rankings at No. 20.

SCOUTING THE COWBOYS

Oklahoma State is 2-0 on the year and is coming off a big win over No. 3 Minnesota, 17-16. The Cowboys have also done well in tournaments as they won eight crowns at the Oklahoma City Open and six champions at the Kaufman-Brand Open.

Two Cowboys have earned Big 12 accolades this season in Jordan Oliver (133 pounds) and John Morrison (125).

SERIES VS. OKLAHOMA STATE

Oklahoma has experienced recent success against Oklahoma State, as the Sooners are 2-3-1 since 2008 against the squad from Stillwater (2-2-1 last five meetings). All Oklahoma losses have come inside Gallagher-Iba arena in Stillwater. During this stint, OU posted back-to-back wins against OSU (Feb. 2008, Dec. 2009) for the first time since 1993.

In the first bout last year the two squads ended deadlocked, 16-16, in Norman on Dec. 1, marking the first tie between the in-state foes since 2000. In the second dual of the year the Cowboys edged the Sooners 19-16. Oklahoma is competing for its first win in Stillwater since Nov. 28, 1995.

Probable Sooner Starters (Weight)	Hometown (Year)	Record
No. 5 Jarrod Patterson (125)	Cushing, Okla. (So.)	12-2
Jordan Keller (133)	Wichita, Kan. (Jr.)	7-3
No. 6 Zack Bailey (141)	Kansas City, Mo. (Sr.)	13-2
Nick Lester	St. Louis, Mo. (RFr.)	3-3
Matt Lester (157)	Eureka, Mo. (RFr.)	8-4
Chase Nelson (165)	Wichita, Kan. (So.)	12-2
No. 7 Tyler Caldwell (174)	Wichita, Kan. (So.)	12-2
No. 13 Erich Schmidtke (184)	Aberdeen, Wash. (RSo.)	13-3
Keldrick Hall (197)	Dallas, Texas (RSo.)	10-4
No. 8 Nathan Fernandez (HWT)	Lawton, Okla. (Sr.)	13-1

SOONER NOTES

W.I.N. Power Rankings (12/6)
The Sooners dropped to No. 13 (previously No. 9) in the latest Wrestling Insider News Tournament Power Index rankings. The Sooners have four individuals ranked in top-nine and eight in the top 20 of their respective weight classes.

Bailey wins 141 pound All-Star title
Oklahoma senior Zack Bailey defeated Ohio's fifth-ranked Germane Lindsey by a 3-2 decision in the 141 pound All-Star matchup at the 45th-annual NWCA All-Star Classic.

IMPRESSIVE AT OCU INVITATIONAL
Erich Schmidtke and Joe Bach each claimed individual titles at the Oklahoma City Open. Schmidtke defeated OSU's then-No. 5 ranked Chris Perry, 11-3, and Bach won due to injury default over OSU's Alan Gelogaev.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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