It’s Iowa week, folks.

Penn State wrestling faces its biggest test of the season so far on Friday, traveling to Iowa City for a dual against No. 4 Iowa. Even with the key matchup and all the pressure that comes with taking on such a good opponent, head coach Cael Sanderson has his team keeping the same mentality and process to prepare for the match.

“Same mentality. But of course, a great opponent. Such great coaches, great tradition and history,” Sanderson said.

Penn State has won four consecutive duals against Iowa, including the last two in Iowa City. Despite the recent domination, Iowa leads the all-time series 28-14-2, even delivering the Nittany Lions’ last dual match loss, a 19-17 defeat in Iowa City all the way back in January 2020. Since then, Penn State has set the NCAA record with 78 consecutive dual victories and counting.

Sanderson isn’t concerned about Iowa giving Penn State its last dual loss, nor does he put weight in records or past results, putting his focus on performance.

“If you’re worried about winning and losing, it just doesn’t work too well,” he commented. “Just more performance-based and being ready to go.”

These big matches create unique challenges for teams, ones Sanderson is sure won’t be a problem for his team.

“The bigger the match, the better we wrestle,” Sanderson explained. “The bigger the match, the more excited we are to be there, and the better we’ll compete.”

One of those challenges is the environment at Carver Hawkeye Arena. The crowd of more than 15,000 is perhaps the toughest the Nittany Lions will face all year, and the Hawkeyes are a combined 76-0 in their two matches at home this season. However, these conditions aren’t ones the Nittany Lions are afraid of; they look forward to the challenge ahead of them.

“Most of the places we go, we get a crowd,” Sanderson mentioned. “We’re used to getting to compete in front of enthusiastic fans. That’s what makes what we do more fun and worthwhile.”

Iowa isn’t the only dual on Penn State’s plate this weekend, as it has another match against Northwestern on Sunday. The preparation for two meets in one weekend is all about focusing on one thing after another to get to March at the end of the road.

“Everyone’s used to it,” he noted. “You wrestle Friday, and you turn around and wrestle Sunday, you travel … it’s all great preparation for what we’re ultimately getting ready for in March.”

Sanderson’s team is ready for every obstacle in their way, even if it’s the No. 4 team in the country on the road. It’s all just part of the Nittany Lions’ journey to prepare for another chance at the Big Ten and National Championship.

Penn State will take on the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday night, January 16, starting at 7 p.m. The dual meet will be streamed live on the Big Ten Network.