It seemed like a great idea at the time: After a drive to Charlotte, N.C., for two games in three days, Penn State left a weekend on its schedule open.

Then the Nittany Lions actually had to go through with it and it was … well, probably a bit weird.

“It was challenging on Saturday sitting around watching other teams play,” coach Jeff Tambroni said.

If that’s the toughest part of an unusual scheduling ploy, the Nittany Lions (6-1), currently ranked No. 2 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Men’s Top 20 and No. 1 in both the USILA coaches and Inside Lacrosse media polls, won’t have many complaints.

Penn State has already played seven games while fielding an explosive offense led by Division I assists leader Grant Ament. With Saturday’s trip to Cleveland State, five Big Ten games and the chance at one or two more in the conference tournament, the Nittany Lions have between six and eight contests between now and Selection Sunday.

If ever there was a spot for a breather, last week was it.

“In the bigger picture, it’s a mental break,” Tambroni said. “You’re locked into reading scouting reports, and sometimes that can wear on you and can stretch you from your purpose and your enjoyment and your why. If I were to predict, that would be the bigger effect than physically.”

Not that there wasn’t a benefit on that front. Penn State took a couple days off last week, so there was a chance to get some bumps and bruises rested and a chance to refresh players after playing seven games in 37 days.

But Tambroni was also wary of how the Nittany Lions had worn down over the last few springs, and perhaps last week will help avoid similar issues this spring. He also consulted with Penn State’s football staff on how it deals with its annual open date and how it can be used to break up a long year.

Tambroni acknowledged it’s hard to know how much of a benefit Penn State will enjoy until this season plays out. But it was telling the Nittany Lions spent some time working on their own weaknesses — “before someone else does,” Tambroni said — as it prepares for the second half of the season, even if a weekend without a game was a bit awkward.

“It was probably good for the long term,” he said. “There’s always an element as athletes and coaches that you enjoy the competition so much and having that as a focal point to keep you centered on a daily basis.”