ISU wrestling coach Kevin Jackson acknowledged he has been repeating the same thing over and over again this season, but he views it as a good thing.

The second-ranked Cyclones (7–2) used a plethora of bonus points to defeat No. 25 Illinois (5–3) by a definitive 33–9 decision at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday night.

“We continue to get better, we continue to make the connections, we continue to improve each and every time out there,” Jackson said.

Scoring bonus points has been something Jackson has sought all season, but the team hasn’t necessarily come through, especially late in the matchups.

“We got after some points; scored some back points; [and] tried to major, pin or tech fall everyone that we wrestled,” Jackson said. “That’s the way you win national championships, scoring points.”

Jon Reader (165) recorded a major decision to put the Cyclones up 7–0 early, but consecutive wins by Illinois brought the Illini right back into the mix. Chris Spangler (174), filling in for Duke Burk, was defeated 3–2. Jerome Ward (184) lost to second-ranked John Dergo in a close 2–1 decision, ending his recent hot streak.

However, Jake Varner (197) was able to swing the momentum back to the Cyclones with a pin of Illinois’ Patrick Bond, who he also pinned at the Midlands tournament.

“Hopefully a pin sets the tone,” Varner said. “It’s a team effort for everyone to set the tone, but I think it just pumps you up a little more. “

David Zabriskie (HWT) and Andrew Long (125) kept the momentum going with high-scoring matches and late takedowns to record a major decision and technical fall, respectively. Nick Fanthorpe (133) followed with a technical fall of his own.

“I was looking to go out there and score a lot of points and hopefully seal in the extra team points we needed to really separate that gap between us and Illinois,” Long said. “Whenever an opportunity presents itself to keep scoring points, that’s what [Jackson] really preaches us to do.”

Dalton Jensen (141) recorded the second pin of the night against 10th-ranked Ryan Prater at the 3:27 mark of their matchup.

“I think a guy that continues to impress just with his competitiveness and his ability to pin people would be Dalton Jensen,” Jackson said. “We’re excited about where he’s at, especially based on Nick Gallick’s medical condition.”

Jensen trailed 2–0 before a quick move put Prater on his back and allowed Jensen to record the fall.

“Dalton fought and fought, and when he gets you on your back too many times you don’t get off,” Jackson said.

Regular starters Burk and Mitch Mueller (149) were held out of the meet for medical reasons. Jackson said Burk has “a couple” of injuries that have affected his performances. Mueller tweaked his knee in the rematch with Iowa in the Cliff Keen duals and was given the night off to rest.

The Cyclones will dive into Big 12 duals with Oklahoma on Friday and Oklahoma State on Sunday. Oklahoma is ranked 11th by Intermat, while Oklahoma State sits at the No. 3 spot.

“Those are two tough teams,” Varner said. “We’re going to get ready for that and focus on those matches and hopefully walk away with wins.”