Grapplers face tough opponents

IU head coach Duane Goldman knows that his team needs to turn things around after starting the Big Ten season 0-2. He has two chances at home this weekend but knows that they will be tough battles.\n"The team we wanted to put on the mat at the beginning of the season has not been able to come to pass," Goldman said. "I'd like to say that we are at our best, but the circumstances won't allow me to do that. Dual meet wise we can't do that."\nInjuries have disrupted the Hoosier lineup. Goldman's starting 10 includes guys at different weight classes and several freshmen. Sophomore Brandon Sission has been filling in at heavyweight. Freshman Pat DeGain is doing a good job in the 197-pound weight class.\n Goldman realizes that injuries are a part of sports. He knows that his team has to work through them.\n "We will face a lot of difficult situations," he said. "We will face that the rest of the Big Ten season."\n The Hoosiers have a chance to turn things around at home Friday night against Ohio State. The No. 3 Buckeyes (16-2, 1-1) are returning nine NCAA-qualifiers from last year's team. Senior Viktor Sveda knows that Ohio State is a good team, and the team will have a big challenge ahead of them.\n"Ohio State is a big gun," Sveda said. "We have to pull out some victories. We have to think about it individually. Each guy has to worry about himself. If each guy does that, we will come together as a team."\nThe team knows that they can't get down on themselves. Sophomore Andrew Wolf said that staying positive is important.\n"The Big Ten conference is by far the toughest in the nation," Wolf said. "We needed some good practices to build some confidence. If we get down on ourselves now, it will be a long season."\nThe Hoosiers will also take on No. 13 Michigan State on Sunday. Michigan State has three returning All-Americans. Sveda thinks that the Spartans (3-5, 0-2) and the Hoosiers match up well, but they have to come out ready to go. Wolf agrees.\n"We're going to have our hands full," Wolf said. "If we come out early, we can jump on them."\nWith all of the injuries, the Hoosiers won't be able to get the dual meet results that they would like. Goldman's focus now is on the individual results instead of the team results.\n"Focusing on the scores will not benefit us now," Goldman said. "Our individuals still have a lot left to accomplish this season in the Big Ten tournament and NCAA Championships. That's where we need to place our focus now"