The Game: No. 13 Penn State vs. No. 19 Illinois Wrestling

The Start: 7 p.m. Friday

The Location: Rec Hall

Why this game?: The two ranked teams meet in Penn State's conference opener and second home match. 

The No. 13 Penn State wrestling team is set to open up its Big Ten schedule against No. 19 Illinois, and the team is ready to get back on the mat in front of a home crowd.

Friday’s 7 p.m. match at Rec Hall marks just the second time all season the Nittany Lions (8-3-1) have hosted an opponent. Sophomore Frank Molinaro said the team is happy to be staying home.

“I’m really excited,” Molinaro said. “This is only our second home match so I’ve got a lot of family and friends coming. I’m really looking forward to this match and doing some big things.”

Certainly, Friday’s match will prove to be a big test for the Lions. Both teams boast numerous wrestlers ranked in the Top 20 nationally and are looking to get ahead with their conference opener.

Head coach Cael Sanderson said he expects it to be quite competitive.

“They’ve got a pretty good team, five or six ranked guys, just like we do,” Sanderson said. “It’s going to be a good dual up and down the line. Every match is important, whether we’re favored or not favored or in a toss up. We need the very best out of each guy and we need them to really compete as a team.”

Molinaro (21-1), ranked No. 5 in the 149-pound weight class, will play a key role in helping the Lions snap a two-match losing streak. On Jan. 9, the Lions dropped their final two matches in the Virginia Duals to Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. Since then, the focus has been getting back to basics, Sanderson said.

“We’re just continuing to work on the fundamentals,” Sanderson said. “Our goal is to wrestle hard and compete hard, and that’s what we’re trying to do – wrestle with more attitude and have some fun with that.”

Sanderson’s philosophies have been ingrained in each of his athletes, including younger brother and senior Cyler Sanderson (19-2). Cyler, ranked No. 5 in the nation in the 157-pound weight class, is also in his first year at Penn State after transferring from Iowa State.

“The main focus for our team and from our coaching staff is just to wrestle hard,” said Cyler, a 2008 All-American. We try to take that into every match regardless of who we’re wrestling.”

Molinaro said one of the biggest factors for him is strength and conditioning. The ability to wear down an opponent has played a factor in all of his matches this year, he said.

Molinaro also said the team didn’t go about making any big changes heading into the match against Illinois (5-3). The team has had an uncharacteristically long break since competing. The 13-day layoff marks the second-longest break between matches all season.

“We’ve made a few adjustments like attitude and maybe working to get on bottom a little better,” Molinaro said. “We’re making progress every week, and I’m not going to take this match any different. I think we’re just going to wrestle hard. If anything, I think the break is probably worse for Illinois because we’re in top shape.”

POLL: Game of the Week: Wrestling vs. No. 19 Illinois

How will Penn State perform in its conference opener?

	Great -- They're physically prepared.		100%
	I'm worried -- It's been a long break.		0%