This is one of the best dual meet rivalries in NCAA wrestling. Iowa and Oklahoma State have arguably the most historical programs to date with iconic history making coaches at the helm for both of them. 

We’ve dug into the numbers and incredible history of this rivalry, and now it’s time to take a look at some truly impactful bouts that have gone down between these two teams when they face off in a dual meet, specifically the top upsets that have taken place. 

Check out some highlights from when they wrestled in Iowa's football stadium.

Watch Iowa vs Oklahoma State

Sunday, February 24, 3:00 PM ET

10. #4 Tony Ramos vs #1 Jon Morrison (2013-14)

This was probably more of an upset on paper than it was in reality, mostly because Ramos had never lost to Morrison and was 3-0 against him going into this match. However, his losses to Schopp and Colon left him behind Morrison. 

Result: Ramos dec. Morrison, 8-2

9. #12 Chris Chionuma vs #9 Ethen Lofthouse (2012-13)

Looking back on this one, it probably decided the dual. Cowboys trailed 12-9 going into this match and then went on to get the win with Rosholt and Z getting back-to-back decisions at 197 and 285 to get the win. But when you look at the careers of these two, with Chionuma going 1-2 at NCAAs in his only year as a qualifier and Lofthouse finishing as a two-time AA. 

Result: Chionuma dec. Lofthouse, 3-2

8. #6 Kaid Brock vs #1 Cory Clark (2016-17)

Everything that this rivalry is can be summed up in this bout in my opinion. This match had everything. Drama between the coaches, clutch tactics on the mat and a questionable call with the Kaid Brock takedown in the 2nd period. Overall it was a great match where Brock did everything he needed to do and Clark was obviously banged up and digging deep. 

Result: Brock dec. Clark, 7-6

7. #13 Alex Meade vs #3 Ryan Morningstar (2009-10)

This wasn’t like the other matches on this list, Meade claimed an upset and that’s just what it was. Meade won the takedown battle, collecting two of them and keeping Morningstar to just three escapes. Morningstar would get his revenge later that same year at NCAAs.

Result: Meade dec. Morningstar, 5-3

6. UR Blake Rosholt vs #15 Grant Gambrall (2011-12)

Rosholt’s offense stole the show. Despite not being the starter that year, he came out against Gambrall and secured a pair of third period takedowns to get the win. Ultimately, his win was the deciding factor as it was the last match of the dual and it gave the Cowboys the win on criteria in Carver.

Result: Rosholt dec. Gambrall, 8-4

5. #5 Brandon Sorensen vs #2 Josh Kindig (2014-15)

It was Kindig’s first loss of the season and came on a day where the Cowboys really could have used a win (Iowa won 30-7, it was one of the worst losses John Smith ever took against Iowa). But Kindig was red hot coming into the match with Sorensen. Along with being undefeated, Kindig had just defeated Drake Houdashelt, who went on to claim the NCAA title that year, at the Scuffle. Like the Brock/Clark match, there was a questionable takedown (as you can see from the video). But nonetheless, Sorensen got the win in GIA to notch the first loss for Kindig that year.

Result: Sorensen dec. Kindig, 6-1

4. #5 Nick Moore vs #2 Tyler Caldwell (2013-14)

It came down to an OT takedown for Moore that came in the infamous JO/Steiber position. Watch below for yourself, it was the right call to make, but if we all remember correctly, Caldwell was always the guy that would consistently beat everyone behind him. At this point his losses were coming from Burroughs, Taylor and Dake, ya know, guys who names now come after the word Champion, and at the time is NCAA Champion, but now it’s World Champion. But while Caldwell wasn’t the type to light up the scoreboard with his offense, he still was a consistent winner.

Result: Moore dec. Caldwell, 3-1 SV

3. #11 Montell Marion vs #5 Jamal Parks (2009-10)

Written by Earl Smith

Here is an instance in which you need to remember circumstances surrounding the match. Seven years later, we remember Montell Marion as a three-time All-American and a two-time NCAA finalist. However, at this point in time, he was still fighting for a starting spot with Dan LeClere. Even as recently as a week before this match at the National Duals, LeClere was the starter in the finals versus Iowa State. Marion and Jamal Parks also had a prior meeting in 2007 at the Kaufman-Brand Open, where Parks was victorious 11-5.

During their 2010 meeting, Marion was sparked by a second-period takedown and rode Parks for the entire third period to secure riding time and a 4-0 win. This match was needed for the Hawks to take the dual meet, as Dan Dennis lost to Jordan Oliver and the aforementioned Meade/Morningstar upset. 

Result: Marion dec. Parks, 4-0

2. #4 Tony Ramos vs #1 Jordan Oliver (2011-12) 

(Highlight video above)

Without watching the video I can still see that edge of the mat takedown by Ramos in front of the Iowa coaches. It was absolutely epic. It was one of those clutch Ramos moments we’ve seen from him plenty of times since. But on this day it was even bigger because JO looked absolutely untouchable that year pinning just about everyone until finishing as the runner-up that year in a controversial way that resulted in the “JO rule”. But Ramos was full on clutch to get the takedown and eventual win in overtime before flashing the Tony Ramos double bi’s as the Carver crowd.

Result: Ramos dec. Oliver, 4-3 TB

Listen to Ramos tell the story of the match:

1. #9 Jake Dieffenbach vs #2 Mark Perry (2007-08)

A missed funk attempt by Perry and Dieffenbach was Johnny on the spot to pick up a quick set of backpoints to go along with his takedown to go up 4-1 in the second period after a Perry escape. It proved to be a deficit that was too much to overcome against the very stingy defense of Dieffenbach. The magnitude of Jake Dieffenbach’s win reverberated throughout the dual as the Cowboys would go on to defeat the Hawkeyes, who were ranked #1 that year and would go on to win their first NCAA title, for the ninth straight time. 

Result: Dieffenbach dec. Perry, 5-3