EAST LANSING, Mich. – The No. 11 Illinois wrestling team (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten) dominated Michigan State (3-4, 0-2 Big Ten), 31-12, on Friday night in Jenison Field House for their first Big Ten win of the season.
The Fighting Illini controlled the dual from the jump as Spencer Moore (No. 21 at 125 pounds) and Lucas Byrd (No. 1 at 133 pounds) each won their bouts via decision to put the Orange and Blue in front early, 6-0.
No. 24 at 141 pounds Danny Pucino battled through a twisted ankle he suffered early in the first period on a scramble will Jaden Crumpler. It didn't faze him though as he doubled up the Illini's point total with his pin of Crumpler at 6:11. Michael Gioffre (No. 28 at 149 pounds) made quick work of Sammy Agnello taking him down four times in the first period before he ended with a 20-3 tech. fall at 3:59. Illinois led 17-0 at this moment.
The Spartans won their first bout of the night at 157 pounds via pin to cut into the Illini lead, 17-6, but Braeden Scoles (No. 9 at 165 pounds) put them right back on track with his 17-2 (4:07) tech. fall over Jack Conley. This pushed the Illini lead back over 15 points, 22-6.
Colin Kelly (No. 24 at 174 pounds) picked up even more bonus points in his 18-3 (6:24) tech. fall win and No. 32 at 184 pounds Chris Moore added four more in his 14-4 major decision. Michigan State went on to win both the 197- and 285-pound bouts via decisions to make the final 31-12 in favor of Illinois.
RESULTS
#11 Illinois 31, Michigan State 12
Jan. 16, 2026 I East Lansing, Mich. I Jenison Field House
125: #21 Spencer Moore (ILL) dec. Nick Corday (MSU), 6-0 // ILL 3, MSU 0
133: #1 Lucas Byrd (ILL) dec. Caleb Weiand (MSU), 8-1 // ILL 6, MSU 0
141: #24 Danny Pucino (ILL) over Jaden Crumpler (MSU), fall (6:11) // ILL 12, MSU 0
149: #28 Michael Gioffre (ILL) tech. fall Sammy Agnello (MSU), 20-3 (3:59) // ILL 17, MSU 0
157: Darius Marines (MSU) over Ryan Bennett (ILL), fall (6:33) // ILL 17, MSU 6
165: #9 Braeden Scoles (ILL) tech. fall Jack Conley (MSU), 17-2 (4:07) // ILL 22, MSU 6
174: #24 Colin Kelly (ILL) tech. fall Connor O'Neill (MSU), 18-3 (6:24) // ILL 27, MSU 6
184: #32 Chris Moore (ILL) major dec. Ryan Boucher (MSU), 14-4 // ILL 31, MSU 6
197: #29 Kael Wisler (MSU) dec. Dylan Connell (ILL), SV-1 9-6 // ILL 31, MSU 9
285: Josh Terrill (MSU) dec. Ryan Boersma (ILL), 1-0 // ILL 31, MSU 12
UP NEXT
The Illini matmen return to action on Sunday (Jan. 18) for a ranked matchup against No. 13 Michigan in Ann Arbor on BTN at 1 p.m. CT.
