Tom Brands on Iowa wrestling win over Illinois: 'We have to work harder at scoring points

Tom Brands just wanted Iowa to score more points against Illinois Friday night. Despite a 28-6 win for the No. 2 Hawkeyes over the No. 9 Fighting Illini, it wasn’t enough to be satisfied.

Sure, Iowa won eight of 10 bouts, but the Hawkeyes didn’t score enough for the head coach’s liking. He saw some good stuff, but they have to keep getting better.

CLICK HERE to watch Unstoppable on Prime Video — The true story of the indomitable spirit of Anthony Robles

Brands, as usual, kept it short and blunt after Iowa’s latest victory.

“I know that we have to work harder at scoring points overall,” Brands said post match.

Iowa got off to a good start though with Joey Cruz at 125 pounds. Speaking of scoring points, he did just that, beating Caelan Riley 13-0 to give the Hawkeyes a 4-0 lead after the first match.

“Taking more attempts, and converting on those attempts is probably what the ingredients are for his success,” Brands said. “And that’s going to have to continue. So good job, and let’s keep it going.”

It was important to get off to that kind of start in front of the home crowd since the Illini were hunting for a massive upset.

“He was in. He was confident he was going to score,” Brands said. “He’s scoring when he’s in. If he didn’t finish, then he’s getting back to his feet. He’s going again. So good stuff there. Major decision. First bout out, 4-0 team score.”

Iowa knew it would be on pace for a win once 133 pounder Drake Ayala knocked off No. 2 Lucas Byrd to go up 7-0 and 165 pounder Mikey Caliendo earned a tech fall over redshirt freshman Braeden Scoles, a top wrestler at the weight.

“Drake Ayala, (No. 2) guy in the country comes to Iowa City. We knock him off,” Brands said. “I think we can score more points there. Caliendo, you know, probably didn’t force it as much as he did in the past, and let wrestling come to him, maybe a little bit. More relaxed, not just red lighting it.”

In typical Brands fashion, he ended his presser with a doozy. He was asked if scoring more points meant more action or more conversions on the action.

“I would say that that’s a private discussion between me and the team, how’s that,” Brands said.

#2 Iowa 28, #9 Illinois 6

125 – #28 Joey Cruz (IA) major dec. Caelan Riley (IL), 13-3; 4-0
133 – #4 Drake Ayala (IA) dec. #2 Lucas Byrd (IL), 4-2; 7-0
141 – #12 Danny Pucino (IL) dec. #30 Ryder Block (IA), 4-3; 7-3
149 – #3 Kyle Parco (IA) dec. #12 Kannon Webster (IL), 1-0; 10-3
157 – Miguel Estrada (IA) dec #20 Jason Kraisser (IL), 3-2; 13-3
165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (IA) tech fall. #11 Braeden Scoles (IL), 20-4; 18-3
174 – #5 Patrick Kennedy (IA) dec. #21 Danny Braunagel (IL), 5-0; 21-3
184 – #5 Gabe Arnold (IA) dec. #10 Edmond Ruth (IL), 5-1; 24-3
197 – #2 Stephen Buchanan (IA) major dec. #18 Zac Braunagel (IL), 13-2; 28-3
285 – #11 Luke Luffman (IL) dec. #12 Ben Kueter (IA), 3-1; 28-6