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Penn State wrestling: Why is the Bryce Jordan Center match on a Monday against Rutgers?

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•11/09/23•

GregPickel

Ohio State v Penn State
A file photo of the Bryce Jordan Center set up for a wrestling match in 2022. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)

When home and away opponents for the 2023-2024 Penn State wrestling season were released, most assumed that the team’s annual match at the Bryce Jordan Center would take place whenever either No. 6 Nebraska or No. 12 Ohio State came to State College. And, like in years past, most figured the sold-out event in the home of the Nittany Lions basketball team would take place on a weekend.

As it turns out, neither assumption was correct. Instead, the Lions will leave Rec Hall and travel to the BJC when they host No. 14 Rutgers on Feb. 12. That, of course, is a Monday. The match will start at 7 p.m. and will air on the Big Ten Network. Why did the program make the choice that it did?

“What happened is by the time the schedule came out, some of those larger duals just weren’t available,” Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said Wednesday. “Nebraska was THON, the other one had a career fair scheduled for the Jordan Center.

“So we just said, ‘all right, Rutgers always has a great team. They always compete hard. They’re nearby. Their crowd travels. And, when we wrestle there, they always have a sold-out show. So, we figured, hey, let’s just run it and see what we can do.”

The event will almost certainly still sell out. But, there is the logic behind the decision. Penn State, of course, will wrestle the rest of its home matches inside of a sold-out Rec Hall. The Lions have a total of six dual meets there this season, starting with Lehigh on Sun. Dec., 3. The NWCA All-Star exhibition classic, which features six members of Sanderson’s program, will also be at Rec Hall. That is set for Tue., Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. ET.

More on Penn State wrestling

The Lions held their first media event of the season on Wednesday. Sanderson covered plenty of topics, including the strength of his team from top to bottom. Multiple national champions and All-Americans returned. And, the Lions added two more NCAA medalists in Aaron Nagao, who will start at 133 pounds, and Bernie Truax IV, who will be the first man up at 184 pounds.

“I think we have a really solid room right now. And, a lot of good guys throughout the lineup, and just more depth than we’ve probably had, which is nice,” Sanderson said. “I just think it’s kind of the natural direction with the new rules and the way things are. I think a lot of the top programs are going to be a little bit stronger and thicker throughout [the lineup].”

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