When the wrestling team takes to the mat against Ohio State Saturday in Rec Hall, it will be Penn State's first dual meet since a 19-17 win over Wisconsin on Dec. 9. In that one-month span, the No. 4 Lions were far from idle:

-- Redshirt junior John Hughes is in the midst of what may become a difficult season. He is making a legitimate drive toward a national championship, but his title hopes could end at any time.

In early December, Hughes was told he could face a one-semester suspension from school for what he called "infractions of school conduct." And he has no idea when the Office of Judicial Affairs will make its ruling on his future.

So how has the 142-pound All-American dealt with the situation? By turning in an inspired showing at the Midlands Tournament last month. Hughes has staked his position as a major factor in the NCAA picture. All the while, he's trying to keep an even keel.

"It's a long season," he said. "We've still got three-and-a-half or four months to go. I just have to concentrate on where I am now."

Hughes was awarded a berth in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic Jan. 30 in Chapel Hill, N.C. The top two competitors at each weight class will meet in the annual event, where No. 2 Hughes is slated to take on No. 1 Gerry Abas of Fresno State. Hughes said he has heard rumors that Abas will not compete in the event.

"Hopefully, he'll be there," Hughes said. "He's real quick and explosive, but I beat him in freestyle this summer."

-- Russ Hughes, who will sit out this semester for academic reasons, will keep in shape by competing at various open tournaments throughout the country. He began that tour last week at the Wilkes Open, where he placed second at the 150 pound weight class.

He lost in the finals to a familiar face -- Doug Bonshak of Rider, who upset brother John Hughes in the finals of the Penn State Open on Dec. 4. Bonshak wrestles a conservative style that flusters the twins.

"Russ pushed him all over the mat, and he was stalling, but we'll get him back," John Hughes said with a confident chuckle.

-- The Lions will be without Frank Morici for five to eight weeks after the 190-pounder suffered a broken arm in a match at Midlands. Coach John Fritz said it is too early to tell when Morici will be able to return. If it takes the full eight weeks, Morici's season will be over.

The injury could not have come at a worse time for Morici, considering his surprise win at the Penn State Open and, according to Fritz, a good performance at Midlands.

"He was just starting to pick up his intensity," Fritz said. "We just have to be tough about it and have some other guys pick up."

-- Injuries have struck the Lions at the lower weights as well. Eddie Jayne and Sanshiro Abe are suffering from the same ailment -- a broken bursa sac under the kneecap. Abe's condition has been improving, and he is expected to wrestle Saturday at Rec Hall against Ohio State. Jayne's injury is more severe, and he will not be able to compete this weekend.

-- The Lions appear to be readying themselves for postseason tournaments already. They have moved freshman Glenn Pritzlaff, now No. 9 at 167 pounds, down to 158. Since the competition in the 167-pound bracket is presumably stronger than at 158, this move is probably designed to give Pritzlaff a better chance for a top finish at the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.