Cael Sanderson on Iowa using Angelo Ferrari over Gabe Arnold: 'I don't think that was really a surprise'

Cael Sanderson wasn’t surprised at Iowa’s decision to use Angelo Ferrari over Gabe Arnold at 184 pounds to face Carter Starocci Friday night.

Perhaps that just speaks to the Penn State coach’s stoic preparation leading into the biggest dual of the year, pitting No. 1 Penn State against their No. 2 ranked Big Ten foes. Ultimately, PSU dominated 30-8 and Starocci edged the freshman Ferrari 3-1 in their matchup.

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But if it had been Arnold, as it was hyped up to be, the four-time NCAA champion would’ve been ready regardless. 

“I don’t think that was really a surprise,” Sanderson said. “We kind of figured that might be the case just based on stuff that happened and things that were said, right? I mean, so, but yeah, I think Carter, he would’ve been ready for either opponent. Obviously they’re two great options, they’re both really good wrestlers.”

Ferrari fell short and actually still has one more date to wrestle in the varsity lineup before Iowa has to decide on his redshirt. Arnold, ranked No. 5 in the country and 11-0, is still the starter according to head coach Tom Brands.

“You get five (matches), we’re going to use them for Ferrari, we’re going to use them and we’re not going to use them against cupcakes,” Brands said. “We need to make sure that (Arnold’s) feeling pretty doggone good down this stretch, he’s going to be our guy at (184).”

An interesting choice from Brands. The remaining 184 pound matchups for Arnold, or Ferrari, are No. 11 Jaxon Smith (Maryland), No. 8 Silas Allred (Nebraska), No. 4 Max McEnelly (Minnesota) and No. 3 Dustin Plott (Oklahoma State), as far as ranked matchups are concerned.

So where exactly does Brands play chess with Arnold and Ferrari, now that the latter has one remaining date?

Regarding Arnold and Ferrari, Starocci had the last laugh before and after the match.

“I thought the other guy was the starter,” Starocci said, referring to Ferrari earlier this week. “Didn’t the other guy win the tournament? I think the game plan is for the other guy. I think the other guy is a better wrestler but I don’t know. I think maybe (Arnold) is just trying to sell tickets but I think our crowd comes out every single time so there’s nothing to sell. I’ll be there Friday night ready to go.”

Penn State won eight of 10 bouts Friday night and won 30-8, continuing their dominant run and pushed their dual meet win streak to 66 under Cael Sanderson.