Just by looking at the Penn State wrestling team's schedule, it appears that its most recent victory against a winless squad doesn't really stand out.

But, already two matches into the season, that win has shown one thing: the Nittany Lions can wrestle with any of the top teams in the country.

The victory may have been over an 0-2 Hofstra, but that record is overly deceiving. The Pride's first loss was a one-point defeat against Missouri, which is now the No. 7 team in the country.

Against the Lions, Hofstra didn't fare as well, losing 28-11. The score was more indicative of Penn State's skill.

The win was redemption for Penn State. Last year in Hempstead, N.Y., Hofstra subjected the Lions to a 24-10 beating.

Obviously, this year was different. Six of Penn State's seven ranked wrestlers won their individual matches against Hofstra. That includes Mark McKnight beating a higher ranked wrestler in the 125-pound class and then-No. 7 Jake Strayer winning over former No. 2 Charles Griffin at 141 pounds.

It was Strayer's second win in his new weight class and any questions about his adjustment from 133 pounds seem to be answered.

The National Wrestling Media Association recognized the quality wins of McKnight and Strayer by voting them No. 7 and No. 4, respectively, in the InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Division I Individual Rankings.

Div. I coaches also realized the talent of the Lions, ranking them No. 8 in the latest USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Coaches Poll.

What's even more impressive than Penn State's No. 8 ranking is Hofstra only dropping one spot to No. 13 in the latest rankings.

The test that Hofstra provided the Lions two weekends ago is the same type of test that Penn State will face in the next two months.

After this weekend's Nittany Lion Open, Penn State will travel to Lehigh and Oklahoma State next weekend.

At No. 3, the Cowboys are coming off the Northeast Regionals where they went 4-0. They blew out non-ranked teams Binghamton, Clarion and American. The Cowboys also faced Hofstra, winning by a slim margin of 20-16.

While sports aren't meant to be analyzed off paper box scores, the Cowboys are beatable especially against a team of the caliber such as Penn State.

Not to look too far ahead, but if the Lions beat Oklahoma State, they'll have the momentum and confidence they will need to face the Nos. 4 through 6 teams in the country, all of which are Big Ten foes.

And if they do, it will all come back to the Hofstra win.