PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Jan. 19, 2011) – Coming off a weekend which saw it outscore four opponents 142-21, the eighth-ranked Rutgers wrestling team (16-1) will return to the Louis Brown Athletic Center for a 7 p.m. dual with third-ranked Virginia Tech (13-3) on Friday, Jan. 21.

The dual with Virginia Tech will be broadcast live on KnightVision Broadband viawww.scarletknights.comwith Danny Breslauer on play by play and redshirt senior heavyweight Sean DeDeyn (Bayville, N.J.) providing the color commentary.

Virginia Tech, who defeated Rutgers 24-21 in the two schools only meeting in 2008-09, comes into the match with a 13-3 overall record which includes wins over wrestling powerhouses Oklahoma State, Central Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

For the season, the Hokies have been led by seven grapplers who are ranked in the InterMat top-20. Devin Carter (133-pounds), Brian Stephens (149-pounds) and Jesse Dong (157-pounds) lead the way for VT as all three rank eighth at their respective weight classes.

VT is coached by Kevin Dresser, who is in his fifth season with the program.

The Scarlet Knights, who are coming off a weekend sweep of duals with Bucknell, Cleveland State, USMMA and Army, have been led on the season by five wrestlers who are ranked in the InterMat top-20 at their respective weight classes. 

Heavyweight DJ Russo (Netcong, N.J.) and 149-pounder Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J) are the two highest ranked Scarlet Knights each rated fourth in the nation at their respective weight classes. Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.) also ranks in the top-10 ranking seventh at 165-pounds. Daryl Cocozzo (River Edge, N.J.) and Alex Caruso (Greenbrook, N.J.) round out the ranked Scarlet Knights placing 17^th and 18^th at 157 and 174-pounds, respectively.

Following its dual with Virginia Tech at the RAC on Friday night, Rutgers will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 22, as it welcomes in-state rival Rider to College Ave. Gym for a noon dual.

Tickets are on sale now for all of RU’s remaining duals. To purchase tickets please visithttp://tickets.scarletknights.com or call 866-445-GoRU (4678). MATCH NOTES

Probables for RU-VT Dual

125: Joe Langel (12-5) OR Matt Fusco (17-9) vs. No. 13 Jarrod Garnett (20-5)
133: Mike DeMarco (14-9) vs. No. 8 Devin Carter (22-5)
141: Trevor Melde (21-8) vs. No. 13 Chris Diaz (22-5)
149: No. 4 Mario Mason (19-3) vs. No. 8 Brian Stephens (21-6)
157: No. 17 Dayl Cocozzo (18-6) vs. No. 8 Jesse Dong (7-1)
165: No. 8 Scott Winston (13-2) vs. No. 15 Peter Yates (20-4)
174: No. 18 Alex Caruso (22-7) vs. Matt Epperly (10-8)
184: Dan Rinaldi (14-5) vs. No. 19 Tommy Spellman (12-7) OR John Dickson (15-16)
197: Mike Wagner (10-11) OR Dan Hopkins (7-3) vs. Chris Penny (9-16)
285: No. 4 DJ Russo (20-3) vs. David Marone (12-5)