LINCOLN, Neb. -- Stephen Dwyer put an end to the University of Wisconsin wrestling team's upset bid Sunday in convincing fashion.

Dwyer, a senior who is ranked sixth nationally at 174 pounds, pinned true freshman Brendan Ard in the final match to ice No. 7 Nebraska's 26-17 victory over the 12th-ranked Badgers in a nonconference dual.

The Cornhuskers held leads of 10-0 and 20-11 but Wisconsin (1-1) pulled within three points heading into that match behind third-ranked Andrew Howe's pin of Alex Ward at 6 minutes, 24 seconds.

Also winning for UW were Drew Hammen (125 pounds), Tyler Graff (133) and Kyle Ruschell (149).

Hammen, a senior, downed Nebraska freshman David Klingsheim 5-2 for the Badgers' first points, and the 10th-ranked Graff mauled Cornhuskers freshman C.J. Napier 26-10, a tech fall fueled by 12 takedowns.

Ruschell, who is ranked No. 2, posted three takedowns in the first period against redshirt freshman Ross Grande en route to a 12-3 major decision.

Howe scored 10 takedowns in his match before registering his first career pin, drawing the Badgers within 20-17 heading into the final match.

Ard, a true freshman, battled to a scoreless first period with Dwyer before surrendering a reversal. He answered with an escape and takedown for a 3-2 lead, before Dwyer evened the score with an escape with 54 seconds left in the second period.

Ard chose down to start the third period and Dwyer pinned him shortly afterward, at 5:25.

Next up for UW is a trip to Corvallis, Ore., for a showdown with Oregon State and No. 8 Boise State.

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