There were a few extra emotions for the wrestler who is as dead-focused on the task at hand as anyone on Sunday.

Nick Suriano, the four-time undefeated new Jersey state champion who transferred from Penn State to Rutgers over the summer, faced his former team for the first time in front of a sold-out crowd of 8,319 at the Rutgers Athletic Center.

Suriano started off the dual meet with a pin of Nittany Lion freshman Devin Schupp. Rutgers battled the country's No.1 team before falling 25-15 - a match that became a little closer when 157-pound national champion Jason Nolf had to default with a leg injury in a back-and-forth match with Rutgers' John VanBrill.

"I felt it a little bit," admitted Suriano of the extra emotion. "But it was the same preparation. Like I said before, for me it was another wrestling match. I made sure I ramped it up and did what I had to do to get the fall.

"I moved on during the summer. I keep focusing on what I need to do better."

Suriano's transfer was big news this summer on many levels.

Suriano was one of the biggest names ever in New Jersey high school wrestling - joining injured Rutgers teammate Anthony Ashnault as the only undefeated four-time champions in state history.

The 125-pound national championship contender was leaving the best team in the country to come home, and there was a real chance he would have to forfeit a year of eligibility if he chose to attend Rutgers because he was transferring to another Big Ten conference school.

Penn State officials did not say over the summer whether they were supportive of Suriano being eligible to compete for Rutgers right away.

When the transfer was finalized right before the school year, the true sophomore had his full three years of eligibity remaining after a ruling by the Big Ten Academics and Eligibility subcommittee.

Rutgers coach Scott Goodale said there were no issues between himself and Cael Sanderson, who declined to speak to the media after Sunday's match.

"I said hello to him last night," said Goodale. "There's no hard feelings. It is what it is. We had a long summer together, talked a lot. I made sure he got in the room, got their workout last night. I made sure he turned the heat down on College Ave. because if you don't, you might not have it the next day. So he did a good job with that."

Suriano admitted he felt for Nolf, flashing back to his match against Oklahoma State's Nick Piccininni that ended his freshman season and kept him from competing for a national title.

"It's tough to see that, I went through it," said Suriano. "I broke my ankle right there on the mat. I had my whole season stripped. That's how this whole dilemma began. I feel for him, you know?"

Suriano's presence has certainly raised interest in the home-town program and the sell-out crowd of 8,319 was there, Goodale assessed, in part to see how the situation with the standout sophomore played out.

"I hope our New Jersey fans leave here saying 'Wow, I'm excited, I need to come back,'" said Goodale. "To look around it was pretty cool and we hope it happens all the time. I'm sure a lot of it had to do with watching their guys and watching Nick and everything that went on with that. I just hope this knowledgeable fan base appreciates good hard wrestling and doesn't leave here disappointed."

Asked if he would have been at Rutgers if not for his injury, Suriano said he didn't know.

"I take it day by day and this was my decision," said Suriano. "But this is New Jersey. This is my home. This is where I want to be. I think the environment today shows my energy, my teammates, my connection to the coaches.

"I can't ask for anything else, man. This is what I do, this is where I want to be."

Bill Evans can be reached at bevans@njadvancemedia.com or by leaving a note in the comments below. Follow him on Twitter @BEvansSports. Like our NJ.com High School Wrestling Facebook Page.