It’s been almost two months since the ISU wrestling team has competed at Hilton Coliseum.

After a 21-13 victory over then-third-ranked Iowa Dec. 7, the Cyclones will finally get a chance to defend their home mat again against second-ranked Nebraska at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The Cornhuskers have nine wrestlers ranked in the top 15, including four in the top five. They are led by top-ranked 125-pounder Jason Powell and Travis Pascoe, an undefeated and third-ranked 184-pounder.

“We match up well with [Nebraska],” sophomore 141-pounder Nate Gallick said. “They’re tough at their lighter weights. [They’re really good at] 125 and 149.”

Six Cyclones are ranked in the top 15, and three are in the top five. They are led by Gallick, who is 16-4 on the year and ranked second.

Gallick, the Cyclones’ newest standout, was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week last week after beating Oklahoma’s previously top-ranked Teyon Ware. In a 27-6 loss at No. 1 Oklahoma State, Gallick and junior Trevor Smith were the only Cyclones to win matches.

“I don’t think [the team’s loss to Oklahoma State] will affect us in the long run,” Gallick said. “Obviously, it’s not good for us, but it gives us somewhat of a reality check. It shows us what we need to work on, and now we need to fine tune some stuff. Injuries had a lot to do with it.”

Freshman Trent Paulson said he will attempt to bounce back against the Cornhuskers’ Travis Shufelt after losing to Oklahoma State’s Zach Esposito. Shufelt is 23-1 and ranked fourth.

“I’ve kind of been in a slump,” Paulson said. “I lost a match at Fresno I shouldn’t have, and ever since it’s been a domino effect of bad things for me. I hope I can pick it up against Nebraska.”

The 149-pound Paulson said injured wrestlers, including his brother, Travis, returning to the lineup should spark the Cyclone team.

“I think a lot of the reason I got into the slump is because Travis was injured and had surgery,” he said. “It got me depressed. Having him back and starting to work hard together has helped a lot. I’ve done some re-evaluation of my goals and I think I’ll be ready this week.”

Trent said he had no doubts in his twin brother’s ability to come back from the injury.

“He hasn’t been on the mat in [a while],” he said. “He’s going to be rusty — he’ll get it back, though.”

Head coach Bobby Douglas said returns from injuries aren’t always just about physical rehabilitation.

“It’s always difficult to keep an injured athlete motivated,” Douglas said. “[It’s] not just the anxiety [of being away from action], but dealing with the rehab. What comes after that is the most difficult — the insecurity and learning how to adjust and wrestle with an injury — and there are a lot of psychological things that happen to athletes during that time.”

Trent said he hopes the Nebraska meet will serve as a way for the team to break out of its slide.

“Lately, the team has been in a slump, too,” he said. “We don’t have the same team camaraderie and the closeness hasn’t been there. When we didn’t have our full lineup, we went out there and didn’t think we could win.”

Douglas said the team can be very good when they are not bogged down by injuries.

“They’re a very dangerous team; you can’t overlook them,” he said. “They’re young and could be in the top five or six in the country [when healthy].”

Senior Zach Roberson said this year’s team has the talent to win the Big 12 tournament as well as a national championship.

“Once we’re 100 percent we’ll be up there with everyone else.”