After two open meets, the Gophers wrestling team started its dual-meet season in dominant fashion with a 31-9 victory over Cal State-Bakersfield. The contest did not start how No. 4 Minnesota had hoped, with the Roadrunners taking the first two matches (197-pound and heavyweight) but the Gophers stormed back to take seven of the remaining eight affairs en route to the victory. A few of the matches were close, including the three which Minnesota lost, but the Gophers controlled most matches from the first whistle. Senior Jayson Ness, who is ranked No. 2 in the nation at 133, earned a fall in the first round just 2:20 into the match. Cal State-Bakersfield’s Justin Durham scored the first takedown, but Ness almost immediately escaped before a takedown of his own which he turned into a pin and six points for the Gophers. Sophomores Zach Sanders (125) and Sonny Yohn (184) both dictated the plot in their matches as well, resulting in two technical falls for Minnesota. Also winning for the Gophers: Mike Thorn (141), Luke Mellmer (149), Joe Grygelko (157) and Cody Yohn (174). Minnesota’s Joe Nord (197), Ben Berhow (heavyweight) and Brian Peterson (165) all fell to the Roadrunners. Up next for the Gophers is No. 5 Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla.