Keeping it in the state.

That is what the NIU wrestling team (10-6, 2-1 MAC) will do this weekend as it squares off at home against Eastern Illinois 7 p.m. Friday. They then will travel to Southern Illinois Sunday to grapple with the opposition at 2 p.m

EIU (4-9) is fresh off of a 48-3 whoopin’, given to them courtesy of Missouri, who the Huskies will face next Sunday.

“EIU has been a pretty competitive team over the years,” coach Dave Grant said. “Conditioning is in our favor, but we can’t watch the other guy wrestle; we have to set the pace.”

There is going to be a change in the line up over the weekend, too.

George Kirgan will replace Bill Lowney in the 174-pound weight class.

“We are trying to change it up,” Grant said. “We’re going with the hungriest wrestlers and giving them chances to do some things.”

Third-ranked 157-pound Scott Owen is well-rested after taking a few days off after the NWCA All-Star Classic.

After the Huskies host the Panthers, they travel to Edwardsville to take on SIU.