The ninth-ranked Gophers won their seventh consecutive wrestling dual Sunday, defeating No. 20 Rutgers 22-15 in their Big Ten opener at the Maturi Pavilion. The Gophers are 4-0 against the Scarlet Knights since the New Jersey school entered the Big Ten.
The Gophers got major decisions from sixth-ranked Sean Russell at 125 pounds and Carlson Brolsma at 165 and a technical fall by second-ranked heavyweight Gable Steveson. Minnesota also got a victory from 11th-ranked Steve Bleise at 157 pounds over No. 17 John Van Brill, the Gophers' lone decision in three bouts involving two ranked wrestlers. Rutgers had four competitors ranked No. 17 or better.
No. 5 Mitch McKee, wrestling for the first time at home since returning from injury, and No. 15 Devin Skatzka (174) also won for the Gophers.
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![Minnesota Devin Skatzka scored two points on a take down over Joe Grello of Rutgers at Maturi Pavilion Sunday January 6, 2019 in Minneapolis,MN.] The University of Minnesota hosted Rutgers in Big Ten wrestling action at Maturi Pavilion. Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/D5E5RIBHHDR4BNAJG7VGCWIQYU.jpg?&w=1080)
![Gophers Steve Bleise took Rugers John Van Brill down and scored two points at Maturi PavilionSunday January 6, 2019 in Minneapolis,MN.] Bleise won the match 7-3. The University of Minnesota hosted Rutgers in Big Ten wrestling action at Maturi Pavilion. Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/DO5OBEJZBPTSQYURMZ56MVW2DU.jpg?&w=1080)
![Gophers Steve Bleise took Rugers John Van Brill down and scored two points at Maturi Pavilion Sunday January 6, 2019 in Minneapolis,MN.] Bleise won the match 7-3. The University of Minnesota hosted Rutgers in Big Ten wrestling action at Maturi Pavilion. Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4T4Q4VAJXNKTMDJTO4UKOFJZ34.jpg?&w=1080)
