Burroughs excels on mat for NU wrestling team
Dave Houfek
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Sports
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."
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."
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