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The Purdue wrestling team headed out on the road this past weekend and came up on the wrong end of duals at Illinois and Wisconsin. However, the trip was not without some bright spots as the Boilermakers got their first taste of travel and a few guys got some solid wins.

The weekend saw several season debuts, including freshman Gerrit Nijenhuis, junior Parker Filius and senior Max Lyon. Nijenhuis started his collegiate career 2-0, with a pair of dominant wins, while Lyon knocked off a highly-ranked opponent at Illinois and Filius put some points on the board at Wisconsin.

Head coach Tony Ersland dove into the steep learning curve that some of the Boilermaker newcomers have had to face as they've started their college careers, and some of the bright spots that rookies like Nijenhuis have brought to light.

There will be no rest for the road weary as the Boilermakers head right back on the road for a tri-dual at Rutgers on Sunday, where they'll face the host Scarlet Knights and Minnesota.

This week's show also touches on some of the differences the Boilermakers are facing on the road due to COVID and checks in on some of our future teammates with their high school seasons.

0:00 – Weekend on the Road
4:55 – Newcomer Situation and Highlights
9:21 – Lineup Mainstays
11:27 – More Extra Matches & Dual Energy
15:15 – Dual Point Importance
24:16 – Back to Rutgers, More Guys Back
27:50 – Travel with COVID Protocols
32:52 – Getting to the Finish Line / B1G Coaches
38:41 – Recruit Shout Outs

MORE THAN A GAME
The More Than A Game campaign was launched in August, in partnership with the John Purdue Club, to help the athletics department navigate the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic and position Boilermaker athletics for future success.

Boilermakers and friends can make a contribution to the More Than A Game campaign by contacting their Boilermaker Athletics Representative or by visiting JPCMoreThanAGame.com. Fans can purchase a special More Than A Game t-shirt from Legends and the Purdue Team Store, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the More Than A Game campaign. To purchase the t-shirt, click here or go to PurdueTeamStore.com.

Purdue Athletics is one of only a handful of Division I athletics departments that is entirely self-sustaining: it does not receive any taxpayer dollars, general fund support from Purdue University, or student fees. John Purdue Club memberships are directed to funding the $12 million scholarship cost for student-athletes and this separate fund will help offset a 2020-21 Purdue Athletics budget shortfall that could approach or exceed $50 million.