News and notes from around the league:
- Michigan WR Devin Gardner took snaps at quarterback this week with starting QB Denard Robinson dealing with an injured nerve in his right arm, Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press reported. "I'm not a doctor, you knew that, but there's a nerve that runs down your elbow, down your arm, I think it's the ulnar and it takes awhile, it gets numb and tingly," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said.
- Michigan State’s upset of Wisconsin on Sunday puts it in position to earn at least a berth in a New Year’s Day bowl game, Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press reported. "Nebraska comes into our place, then we have a bye (Nov. 10) and we have our last two games," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "But I think what we've tried to do is we always try to focus on the moment and focus on the next challenge. The next challenge up is certainly Nebraska."
- Penn State freshman TE Kyle Carter is questionable for Saturday’s game at Purdue with a lower left leg injury, Bob Flounders of The Harrisburg Patriot-News reported. Carter has 35 catches for 441 yards and two touchdowns. "I think that's going to be a day-to-day thing and I'll know better at the end of the week,'' Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said. "He seems to be doing OK.''
- Nebraska coach Bo Pelini finally awarded 11 Blackshirts to players following a 23-9 win over Michigan, Brian Rosenthal of the Lincoln Journal Star reported. The black jerseys are awarded to wear during practice for standout defensive players. The coaching staff wanted to give out the jerseys last week following a win over Northwestern, but the players insisted on waiting another game. “But we have to keep playing to that standard every day,” senior LB Will Compton said. “We can’t feel like we’ve arrived or let up a little bit, just because we got ‘em now. We have to keep coming out here with the same focus we have been the past couple weeks.”
- Indiana coach Kevin Wilson said his team has lots of room for improvement following a 31-17 win over Illinois, Terry Hutchens of the Indianapolis Star reported. “Offensively, I thought it was one of our worst performances of the year,’’ Wilson said. “One of 13 on third down was disappointing, only seven big plays, and I didn’t think we were very physical. We did have one good drive at the end of the fourth quarter, but the offense was pretty anemic all day.”
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.
