In wrestling, takedowns don't equal wins. But for Nebraska's Jordan Burroughs, the two couldn't go more hand-in-hand.
Burroughs led the Cornhuskers this season with a total of 98 takedowns in dual matches, more than double the number of takedowns by any other wrestler on the team.
Burroughs' style is not just effective on the mat, but it also provides some of the most exciting wrestling for both fans and teammates to watch.
With a combination of speed and aggressiveness, Burroughs has compiled 11 major decisions and six technical falls, both team highs.
"He's like a great football tackler," Manning said. "When he gets his arms around your legs, you're going to get taken down."
Burroughs has amassed a 27-5 record this season while scoring a team-high of 59 dual points. But his athletic abilities allow him to do more than just score points; they keep opponents from scoring points on him.
As one of two NU wrestlers to compete in all 17 duals of the season, Burroughs allowed only nine dual points to be scored against him.
"He's very athletic," NU Coach Mark Manning said. "He's really tough-minded, and he shows a lot of determination and a great work ethic. It's tough to be that active out there on the mat. You've got to be well conditioned.
"When he's in the right frame of mind, it's tough to wrestle him."
For Burroughs, his stats are nothing out of the ordinary. In regards to his number of takedowns, the sophomore said it has been nice to be the best at something. And being able to accomplish it on a team full of talented wrestlers has made it even better.
Burroughs said he had set a goal to reach 100 takedowns during the season. After coming two shy of that target, the takedowns he recorded in tournament play would have put him well over the mark.
"It's dominating," Manning said. "Sometimes guys can get a takedown or two (in a match), but to be able to do that, it's rare as far as being that dominant."
Though Burroughs relies heavily on his own abilities to score takedown after takedown, some stubborn opponents have helped out his numbers.
With a grin on his face, Burroughs said sometimes his opponents just didn't adjust, and if they weren't going to make the necessary changes, he would just take them down over and over.
"You'd think eventually they'd try to change something up," Burroughs said. "I guess they just didn't get it."
Burroughs will take his speed and elusiveness into the Big 12 Conference Championships this Saturday. There, the competition will have to deal with what Manning considers increased confidence and better technique from Burroughs.
As a freshman, Burroughs said he was just happy to be at the Big 12 tournament, and that this time around he expects to win it.
"They'll probably try to make adjustments to wrestle me this weekend," Burroughs said. "It's probably not going to be as easy as the first time, but I'm still looking to win."
Manning said the competition would see a more mature wrestler and an obviously better one than last year, as Burroughs has become savvier on the mat and more confident in his abilities.
With that maturity, Burroughs will admit he has a weakness. When another wrestler ties him up, it makes wrestling aggressively more difficult.
In the end, though, Burroughs said he knows it comes down to him and how he wrestles on the mat.
"It's not about these guys that Jordan is wrestling," Manning said. "It's all about himself. We're getting him to wrestle his best. And if he wrestles his best, I don't care who he's wrestling, they're not going to be able to stay with him."
Davehoufek@dailynebraskan.com
