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Penn State

Everything Iowa coach Tom Brands said about Penn State wrestling before the Hawkeyes take on the Lions

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel01/29/25GregPickel
Tom Brands
(Photo: Tom Kakert)

No. 1 Penn State hosts No. 2 Iowa for the marquee showdown of the college dual meet season on Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center. The match starts at 7 p.m. ET. Big Ten Network will televise it. Nittany Lions head coach Cael Sanderson spoke to reporters about the Big Ten clash on Monday. On Tuesday, Hawkeyes coach Tom Brands did the same.

“It’s big,” Brands said. “You know, as far as the event, you keep it perspective. But where we want to go, it’s big. I mean, you’re wrestling the best team in the country. And, it’s a measuring stick. There are individual matchups that have postseason seating implications. So, you got to be ready. And it’s really no different than any other weekend, but it’s different. I mean, it’s different.”

Penn State won the last meeting between the two by posting a 29-6 triumph in Iowa City last year. All-time, the Hawkeyes hold a 28-13-2 edge. This is the fifth time the sides meet as No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the country. Each have two wins a piece in those matchups, and both came when they were No. 1.

Here’s everything else Brands said about the upcoming matchup on Tuesday.

On the Penn State-Iowa rivalry

“I think Sanderson gets hired at Penn State, there’s instant change,” Brands said. “So it evolves naturally that way. I think they’re a worthy opponent. We got to do our job.”

On the Iowa wrestlers’ mindset entering the weekend

“I don’t think that changes with us,” Brands said. “It’s not like last week they were kind of getting ready for the No. 4 team, and now that it’s the No. 1 team, they’re really up. They’re professionals, and they know what’s in front of them and what’s at stake. It’s pretty even. I would say.

How important is it to prepare the same week to week regardless of who the opponent is?

“I mean, do what you do best and stick to your routine,” Brands said. “So the important thing is that you’re who you are, and you’re in your comfort zone. And if you have things you got to tend to, then you tend to them. And you know, if you’re healthy as a horse, then stay healthy as a horse, and just get better every day.

“So, you look forward to this competition. That’s the main thing. Look forward to this. This is an opportunity again. And you know, the unique thing about it is you’re going into the number one team in the country’s environment.”

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