WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The No. 20 Purdue Wrestling team is gearing up to conclude a prolonged stretch of road competitions with dual matches against East Coast rivals this weekend. The Boilermakers will face off against No. 18 Maryland on Friday at 7 p.m. ET and then take on No. 21 Rutgers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Fans can catch both duals live on B1G+.
Purdue boasts a record of 7-2 overall, with a conference mark of 0-1, setting the stage for these pivotal matchups. The projected starters for the Boilermakers include a mix of talent with ranked athletes, such as the highly regarded #4 Joey Blaze at 165 pounds, and #21 Gavin Brown at 149 pounds.
When Purdue takes to the mat against Maryland, it will mark their first return to College Park since a successful encounter last February, where they emerged victorious with a score of 23-14. Many of the same wrestlers who contributed to that win, including Greyson Clark and Ben Vanadia, seek to replicate the success, especially against a Maryland squad that is currently 4-3 and struggling in conference play with an 0-2 record.
In their dual against Maryland, Purdue will contend with several formidable opponents, including Maryland’s ranked wrestlers such as No. 16 Braxton Brown (133 lbs) and No. 5 Jaxon Smith (184 lbs). These matchups are critical as they could significantly impact the conference standings.
Following the dual against Maryland, Purdue will head to Piscataway to vie against Rutgers, which is noted for its depth and competitive roster. Rutgers, holding a record of 6-3 overall, features a ranked starter in almost every weight class, promising tough competition for Purdue’s grapplers. The most exciting matchups will involve ranked clashes, including Blaze going up against #21 Andrew Barbosa and Rowley facing #15 Shane Cartagena-Walsh.
Historically, Rutgers leads the all-time series with a record of 5-2 against Purdue. Despite this, Purdue has gained momentum by winning two of the last three encounters, including a hard-fought victory during their last visit in January 2021.
Purdue is looking to bounce back after a challenging outing against No. 7 Nebraska, where they suffered a 36-3 defeat, with Blaze recording the sole victory of the night. As the Boilermakers prepare for these duals, they will be eager to turn the tide and build momentum as they head back to Holloway Gymnasium for their Big Ten home opener against Michigan State next Friday, where fans will be welcomed with free admission and a nationally televised event.
With high stakes on the line, this weekend’s duals offer an exciting opportunity for Purdue to solidify its standing within the conference and showcase its growing talent.