Nick Suriano had a close call against Sebastian Rivera at the Midlands Championship in late December.

It wasn't nearly as close on Friday night.

Suriano, the nation's No. 1-ranked 125-pounder, posted an impressive 4-1 victory over Rivera, ranked 10th, in the opening bout of No. 19 Rutgers' 22-13 win over No. 17 Northwestern at Patten Gym in Evanston, Illinois.

The win snaps a two-match losing streak for Rutgers (6-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten). The Scarlet Knights also halted a four-match skid against conference foes. Northwestern falls to 8-3 overall and 3-3 in the league. Rutgers will wrestle at No. 14 Illinois on Sunday.

Suriano edged Rivera, 7-6, in the semifinals of the Midlands en route to becoming the first Rutgers wrestler to win a title at the storied tournament. The rematch of the former New Jersey state champions was nowhere near as nip-and-tuck.

Rutgers eager to 'set a tone' on road swing

Suriano, who was a four-time undefeated state champ at Bergen Catholic, notched an early takedown against Rivera, who won a state title at Christian Brothers, and controlled the bout from there for the first of the Scarlet Knights' six bout wins in the match.

Rutgers didn't fare as well in the other matchup of Jersey champions. Northwestern's No. 17 Johnny Sebastian beat Joe Grello, 5-2, at 174 pounds in a bout between former Bergen Catholic teammates. Sebastian won three state titles at BC while Grello captured two.

Northwestern's No. 5 Ryan Deakin posted a 9-3 decision at 149 pounds over Rutgers' No. 12 Eleazar DeLuca in the second matchup of ranked wrestlers in the dual meet.

NO. 19 RUTGERS 22, NO. 17 NORTHWESTERN 13
125: No. 1 Nick Suriano (R) dec. No. 10 Sebastian Rivera, 4-1.
133: No. 20 Scott DelVecchio (R) dec. Colin Valdiviez, 8-5.
141: Mike VanBrill (R) dec. Alec McKenna, 5-1.
149: No. 5 Ryan Deakin (N) dec. No. 12 Eleazar DeLuca, 9-3.
157: No. 17 John VanBrill (R) pin. Shayne Oster, 2:43.
165: No. 11 Richie Lewis (R) md. Michael Sepke, 10-2.
174: No. 17 Johnny Sebastian (N) dec. Joe Grello, 5-2.
184: No. 12 Nick Gravina (R) dec. Mitch Sliga, 3-0.
197: Zack Chakonis (N) md. Willie Scott, 8-0.
HWT: Conan Jennings (N) dec. Razohnn Gross, 2-0.

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.