A number of Sunderland's wrestlers expressed a similar sentiment following the loss to the Buckeyes.
"We're young, but it's no excuse to lose," Marat Tomaev said.
Feeling that it is not time to panic just yet, Nate Parker spoke optimistically of his team's pursuits.
"This is the beginning," Parker said. "It's still early."
A strong sense of urgency, however, surfaced after Sunday's loss to Illinois.
Sunderland anticipated a tough match with fifth ranked Illinois but was left puzzled after his team's effort.
Searching for answers to his team's 32-3 defeat, Sunderland spoke intently on the necessity of opening strong in big-10 action.
"We've got to rise to the occasion," Sunderland said. "I don't remember anything like this."
He was specifically referring to the glaring discrepancy in the fall total against Illinois. All told, Penn State registered only four falls to Illinois' thirty.
He was not all together displeased with his squad. He did praise the efforts of Mark Becks at 174 pounds, and Nate Wachter at 149 pounds, who wrestled an inspired match with Adam Tirapelle, the number one ranked wrestler at that weight class.
These wrestlers came out on the offensive and remained aggressive throughout their matches, no doubt an example to be set in practices this week.
Sunderland said he wants his wrestlers to go out and get major decisions.
"I have to get in the kids' face and challenge them," said Sunderland. "It's past talking, they need to rise to the occasion."
With four matches in the next six days, Penn State's wrestlers will get the opportunity to put these losses behind them and repair a crippling confidence level.
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