After getting off to a start that most members of the wrestling team would like to forget, things may finally be falling into place for the Lions.

The No. 7 Lions (4-3, 3-1 in the Big Ten) got a much needed boost when they jumped out to insurmountable leads against Michigan State and Michigan en route to two very important wins.

Against Michigan State, the Lions jumped out to a 22-0 lead and coasted to a 31-12 win.

Against the No. 4 Wolverines, the Lions were equally as impressive, going ahead 20-0 as they handled a good Michigan squad 29-15.

"I think a lot of us were a little upset with our performance in the Michigan State match," heavyweight Kerry McCoy said. "Being that they were ranked fourth in the nation, this win meant a lot to us."

The Lions' lower weights set the tone for the match, which they are going to need to do because of some inexperience in the upper weight.

"I think there's a little bit of pressure on us," 118-pounder Shawn Nelson said. "We feel we have to do our part for the team."

Nelson, Sanshiro Abe (126) and Cary Kolat (134) did more than their share as they combined for four pins, a technical fall and a decision en route to 32 team points.

"I think the guys made up their mind that they're going to wrestle hard," Coach John Fritz said. "I think it starts with Shawn Nelson, who might have taken a bad rap because he didn't make weight (last weekend) against Iowa."

Troy Minnich (177), John Hughes (142) and McCoy also won both of their matches. Minnich's come-from-behind overtime pin against Michigan's Jesse Rawls clinched the match.

McCoy also won a huge match when he defeated No. 2 Steve King of Michigan with a decisive 13-8 win.

"McCoy just did a great job," Fritz said. "Wrestling like that, he'll put himself in the national final."

The Lions are hoping that their performance will carry over until next week, when they will be in Nebraska to defend their National Dual Meet Championship.