Big Ten Notebook: Who is Iowa's running back?

Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland isn't concerned about putting up gaudy statistics while all three of Purdue's quarterbacks are comfortable sharing the position.

By Mike Singer

Aug 29, 2012 at 10:10 am ET • 1 min read

News and notes from around the Big Ten:

Wisconsin’s LB Chris Borland finished last season with 142 tackles, second in the Big Ten. This season he’s more concerned with focus and technique than he is about the raw statistics, reported Jeff Potrykus of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I was always guns blazing. But that can hurt you as much as it can help you. I have to be more professional about it,” Borland said.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer described Braxton Miller as a “caged tiger” since Miller hasn’t been exposed to any contact all preseason in an effort to keep the mobile QB healthy. “You’ve definitely got to have an aggressive outlook,” Miller said to Doug Lesmerises of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The Big Ten held its first coaches teleconference on Tuesday and Darnell Dickson of the Lincoln Journal Star recounts what various conference coaches had to say, including Penn State’s Bill O’Brien, Michigan’s Brady Hoke, and of course, Nebraska’s Bo Pelini.

Purdue’s quarterback situation is complicated with both Caleb TerBush and Robert Marve expected to see action this season. Third-stringer Rob Henry is even expected to see the field. TerBush, who’s started the past 13 games, said “We’re happy with whatever they decide. We know we can handle game-type situations and we trust each other and our teammates trust us,” he said to Mike Carmin of the Journal and Courier.

Iowa’s running back position is supposedly cursed. Halfbacks DeAndre Johnson and freshman Greg Garmon were arrested while Barkley Hill tore his ACL earlier this preseason. Ryan Suchomel of the Des Moines Register examined which three backs are left standing and should see the field Saturday vs. Northern Illinois.

Minnesota plans to utilize a combination of running backs instead of predominantly relying on junior college transfer James Gillum, reported Phil Miller of the Star Tribune. “I think it’ll be like practice, using everybody to keep us all fresh,” RB Donnell Kirkwood said.

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