The wrestling team is on a road trip to Oklahoma this weekend that would make Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama proud.

The No. 13 Lions (5-6) left early yesterday on a bus bound for Harrisburg. From there, they flew to Detroit, then to Memphis, Tenn., then to Oklahoma City before boarding minivans bound for Norman, Okla.

There the Lions will take on the No. 15 Sooners (6-4-1) at 8:30 p.m. today before facing No. 2 Oklahoma State (9-2-1) at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow in Oklahoma City.

"Everybody gets kind of sick of traveling," Penn State 126-pounder Sanshiro Abe said. "But we had the weekend off last week, so we're fresh now. It should be no problem."

This weekend also marks the return of All-American John Hughes (21-2). The 142-pounder has fulfilled the academic requirements placed on him by Coach John Fritz earlier this season.

"He's got that gleam in his eye," Fritz said. "He's glad to be back on the mat. Maybe this taught him a good lesson."

With Hughes in the lineup, the Lions have a better chance to upend the Cowboys. But it will still be an uphill battle, considering Oklahoma State won the NCAA title last season.

"They've got some guys who've been around and are real good, and some weights where they're inexperienced -- not quite as many as we do," Fritz said. "There are a lot of matches up for grabs."

But first, the Lions have to face an Oklahoma team that includes three ranked wrestlers. Oklahoma Coach Jack Spates said the Sooners have one distinct advantage over the Lions.

"I know we can out-coach them," Spates said jokingly.

Spates, who wrestled for Slippery Rock, and Fritz were teammates on an Eastern All-Star squad in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Classic more than 20 years ago.

"He was the 118-pounder and I was at 126," Fritz said. "We worked out together and developed a friendship. When we're coaching against each other, it's the same kind of thing."