STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Jevon Herman will get another shot at a Big Ten Conference wrestling title today. A shot to the ribs has denied University of Illinois teammate Eric Siebert the same opportunity.

In very different ways, the two Illini seniors made big news Saturday as the 84th Big Ten Championships opened at the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State University's campus.

Herman, the top seed at 177 pounds, advanced to a title rematch with top-ranked and second-seeded Mitch Clark of Ohio State. Clark won last year's championship bout against Herman 5-3.

The two have met twice previously this season, with Herman winning the most recent match 9-3.

"I think Sunday's rematch will be harder than the last time we met," the third-ranked Herman said. "I think he was feeling a lot of pressure the last time. This time, he won't have to cut weight. It should be a very hard-fought final."

Meanwhile, the top-ranked Siebert will watch from the sidelines today as the 150-pound title is decided. He declared a medical forfeit before Saturday night's semifinal round.

Siebert, the top seed, suffered a rib injury during a 14-5 victory over Wisconsin's Don Pritzlaff in the first round. He then gutted out an 8-4 triumph over Drew Pariano of Northwestern in the quarterfinals, which assured the 1997 All-American of advancement to the NCAA Championships.

By winning that bout, Siebert was guaranteed of finishing no lower than sixth. The top seven placers in each weight class move on to the national meet March 18-21 in Cleveland.

But Siebert was denied his final chance at a Big Ten crown. The four-time NCAA qualifier has finished as high as third in the conference meet.

"It's very disappointing for Eric," said coach Mark Johnson, whose Illini are in sixth place. "He was primed for a run at the Big Ten title, but he was really hurting after injuring his ribs. Eric was able to tough it out during the quarterfinals and earn his place at the national meet.

"His injury, however, was bad enough that we don't want to jeopardize his performance at the NCAA meet by chancing further damage this weekend."

Herman will be the lone Illini in today's title round. And he needed to win a tiebreaker, 6-4 over Minnesota's Brandon Eggum, in the semifinals to get there. With neither wrestler having scored in overtime, Herman won the ensuing coin flip and chose the down position. Twenty-one seconds later, he scored a reversal to end the match.

"I didn't feel great today, but when that happens you just have to be mentally tough," Herman said. "When we were tied toward the end of regulation, I had to be a little defensive."

Two Illini will vie for third place today. At 142, fifth-seeded Adam Tirapelle takes on No. 3 seed Jamarr Billman of Penn State. Tirapelle reached the semifinals before losing to top seed Jeff McGinness of Iowa 6-2.

At 190, sixth-seeded Pat Quirk will face third seed Sam Neider of Northwestern. Quirk advanced by beating Eric Wood of Ohio State 8-2 in the consolation quarterfinals.

Illini heavyweight Karl Roesler and 118-pounder Steve Doerrer will compete in fifth-place matches.