Jordan Burroughs is perfect.
Not because he’s completely trim and there isn’t any fat on his body. Not because he’s already on the all-time list for wins at Nebraska in only his third season. Not even because he’s allowed only one takedown against him this whole year.
No – Burroughs is perfect because he doesn’t lose matches.
Burroughs’ last loss came during the 2008 National Championships, when he lost to eventual champion Brent Metcalf.
This season he’s a perfect 28-0. That would be a monumental achievement for most wrestlers, but, of course, he wants more.
“I want to be the first Nebraska wrestler to go undefeated,” Burroughs said.
The Sicklerville, N.J., native is already in exclusive company by finishing the regular season undefeated. He’s the first Cornhusker to accomplish the feat since Bryan Snyder during the 2001-2002 season.
Snyder hadn’t lost all season until losing 5-4 in a tiebreaker in the national title match. Burroughs, like Snyder, wrestles in the 157-pound weight class.
NU Coach Mark Manning said he’s been impressed with Burroughs’ run thus far.
“Jordan Burroughs has had a great season,” Manning said. “He is wrestling at a real high level.”
Burroughs has broken his own record for takedowns in a single season. He notched 117 takedowns in the regular season after adding three more against Iowa State’s Cyler Sanderson.
One of the benefits of having Jordan Burroughs is his ability to earn significant points for the team. He has 12 major decisions and four technical falls.
“We stress scoring points,” Burroughs said. “I am going out there and I want to score for my team.”
And he’ll take them anyway that he can get them. Against Iowa State, Burroughs scored points while riding Sanderson, which is an unusual move for him.
“I never wrestle much on top,” Burroughs said. “Any time I can get points on top, it makes the match a little easier. It’s less work I have to do from my feet.”
With those points, Burroughs sent a message to the rest of the Big 12 Conference: He can earn points from any position on the mat.
Burroughs has gone undefeated against Big 12 wrestlers for the last two years. He has been a machine, going 12-0 during that time span, and has his sights set on another conference championship.
“He’s a tough guy to stop,” Manning said. “We are trying to keep him hungry and motivated.”
mikeschaefer@dailynebraskan.com
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