Wisconsin loses LB Taylor for season
October, 20, 2009
10/20/09
2:26
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Wisconsin freshman linebacker Chris Borland has made an immediate impact since he arrived on campus this summer.
Now he'll have to do so in a starting role.
The Badgers have lost starting outside linebacker and leading tackler Mike Taylor for the season with a serious knee injury, head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Tuesday. Taylor, a redshirt freshman who leads the team with 46 tackles, sustained the injury in Saturday's 20-10 loss to No. 6 Iowa.
Borland replaced Taylor on Saturday and performed well, recording a career-high 10 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, a sack and a forced fumble. Bielema said the sturdy freshman can play either outside linebacker spot.
"Chris has made an impact from Day 1," Bielema said. "When we got into fall camp, we had an understanding he could play for us. He's just one of those guys that always seems to be in the right place. ... He has an unwavering desire to please you as a coach."
Borland was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt and forcing a fumble in a win against Wofford on Sept. 19.
Wisconsin freshman linebacker Chris Borland has made an immediate impact since he arrived on campus this summer.
Now he'll have to do so in a starting role.
The Badgers have lost starting outside linebacker and leading tackler Mike Taylor for the season with a serious knee injury, head coach Bret Bielema confirmed Tuesday. Taylor, a redshirt freshman who leads the team with 46 tackles, sustained the injury in Saturday's 20-10 loss to No. 6 Iowa.
Borland replaced Taylor on Saturday and performed well, recording a career-high 10 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, a sack and a forced fumble. Bielema said the sturdy freshman can play either outside linebacker spot.
"Chris has made an impact from Day 1," Bielema said. "When we got into fall camp, we had an understanding he could play for us. He's just one of those guys that always seems to be in the right place. ... He has an unwavering desire to please you as a coach."
Borland was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt and forcing a fumble in a win against Wofford on Sept. 19.
Adam Rittenberg | email
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- Joined ESPN.com in 2008
- Wrote for Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald
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Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
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