http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/players/chris_borland/99935 Recent articles about Chris Borland en-us MADISON, Wis. Gary Andersen had been in town less than 24 hours when he began arranging meetings to speak with members of Wisconsin's football team Thursday. But on his first day as the Badgers' new coach, he wasn't interested in talking much about X's and O's. He simply wanted to introduce himself, to give players his phone number and to let them know he was there for them now if they needed anything. "I have a major care factor for them, and I'm very interested, as quickly as I can, to let them understand that they can trust me," Andersen said Friday when he was introduced as the 29th football coach in Wisconsin program history. "But that takes time. Just because I say I want them to trust me means nothing. I have to show it through the way I carry myself." Andersen's presence on campus already has been a welcome sight for players, who can finally breathe a sigh of relief following two weeks of uncertainty at the top of the football program. Andersen, the Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:28:25 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/badgers_like_what_they_see_from_andersen/12491530 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/badgers_like_what_they_see_from_andersen/12491530 Badgers like what they see from Andersen http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/badgers_like_what_they_see_from_andersen/12491530 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MADISON, Wis. Maybe it goes without saying, but in order for Wisconsin to stand a realistic chance of beating Nebraska in the Big Ten championship game, the Badgers will need their full complement of players. Good thing for Wisconsin its players are getting healthy at the right time. Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, linebacker Chris Borland and right guard Kyle Costigan are all expected to play Saturday against Nebraska after sustaining injuries in recent weeks. Borland has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, while Abbrederis and Costigan both suffered mild concussions last week against Penn State. Abbrederis also suffered a concussion against Oregon State on Sept. 8 and missed the following week's game against Utah State. The symptoms this time around appear to be lighter. "I knew right away I'd probably be able to go," Abbrederis said. "It wasn't too bad. I'll be fine." Abbrederis, in particular, is vital to Wisconsin's success. The first-team All- Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:53:32 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/uw_expected_to_be_at_full_strength_for_saturday/12322276 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/uw_expected_to_be_at_full_strength_for_saturday/12322276 UW expected to be at full strength for Saturday http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/uw_expected_to_be_at_full_strength_for_saturday/12322276 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MADISON, Wis. Maybe it goes without saying, but in order for Wisconsin to stand a realistic chance of beating Nebraska in the Big Ten championship game, the Badgers will need their full complement of players. Good thing for Wisconsin its players are getting healthy at the right time. Wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, linebacker Chris Borland and right guard Kyle Costigan are all expected to play Saturday against Nebraska after sustaining injuries in recent weeks. Borland has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, while Abbrederis and Costigan both suffered mild concussions last week against Penn State. Abbrederis also suffered a concussion against Oregon State on Sept. 8 and missed the following week's game against Utah State. The symptoms this time around appear to be lighter. "I knew right away I'd probably be able to go," Abbrederis said. "It wasn't too bad. I'll be fine." Abbrederis, in particular, is vital to Wisconsin's success. The first-team All- Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:53:32 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/uw_expected_to_be_at_full_strength_for_saturday/12322285 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/uw_expected_to_be_at_full_strength_for_saturday/12322285 UW expected to be at full strength for Saturday http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/uw_expected_to_be_at_full_strength_for_saturday/12322285 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MADISON, Wis. The way Bret Bielema sees it, when the defensive line occupies blockers and funnels the football toward the middle, linebackers should make tackles.But what Bielema, Wisconsin's seventh-year head coach, witnessed on Saturday was something special."I didn't know of any other time during my career where all three linebackers had charted 10 tackles each," Bielema said Monday at his weekly press conference. "I can't remember watching a game or seeing anything like that."During Wisconsin's 31-14 victory against Illinois, the linebacker trio of Mike Taylor, Chris Borland and Ethan Armstrong accounted for 32 total tackles. Taylor tallied 12, while Borland and Armstrong finished with 10 apiece.Bielema, who coached linebackers as an assistant at Iowa, Kansas State and Wisconsin, offered high praise for his star trio. All three have endured three different linebacker coaches in the past three seasons: Dave Doeren (2010), Dave Huxtable (2011) and Andy Buh (2012)."T Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:16:16 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/lbs_have_badgers_defense_in_capable_hands/11910538 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/lbs_have_badgers_defense_in_capable_hands/11910538 LBs have Badgers' defense in capable hands http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/lbs_have_badgers_defense_in_capable_hands/11910538 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MADISON, Wis. In football parlance, the "A" gap is the space between a team's center and its guards on the offensive line. It is among the most basic of terminologies, and for a college linebacker, understanding the difference in gaps is supposed to be second nature, as easy as pumping gas or tying a shoelace.Chris Borland insists that when he came to Wisconsin, such jargon was lost on him. He had played running back and strong safety at Archbishop Alter in Kettering, Ohio, and excelled because of his athleticism and instincts."Even when I played defense in high school, I didn't know what I was doing," Borland said. "I was pretty much either blitzing or covering a guy. I wasn't even entirely sure what an 'A' gap was when I got to college, so I had a lot to learn."Suffice it to say, Borland has learned quite well.Borland, a fourth-year junior, has become one of the top linebackers in the country, even though he never played the position until his freshman seas Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:44:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/wisconsin_star_lb_borland_a_quick_study/11820064 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/wisconsin_star_lb_borland_a_quick_study/11820064 Wisconsin star LB Borland a quick study http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/wisconsin_star_lb_borland_a_quick_study/11820064 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/9/7919cee870ceb083528a43ad2b5aaca5e5e5d101/mini/wisconsin-ohio-state.jpg MADISON, Wis. In football parlance, the "A" gap is the space between a team's center and its guards on the offensive line. It is among the most basic of terminologies, and for a college linebacker, understanding the difference in gaps is supposed to be second nature, as easy as pumping gas or tying a shoelace.Chris Borland insists that when he came to Wisconsin, such jargon was lost on him. He had played running back and strong safety at Archbishop Alter in Kettering, Ohio, and excelled because of his athleticism and instincts."Even when I played defense in high school, I didn't know what I was doing," Borland said. "I was pretty much either blitzing or covering a guy. I wasn't even entirely sure what an 'A' gap was when I got to college, so I had a lot to learn."Suffice it to say, Borland has learned quite well.Borland, a fourth-year junior, has become one of the top linebackers in the country, even though he never played the position until his freshman seas Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:44:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/wisconsin_star_lb_borland_a_quick_study/11820016 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/wisconsin_star_lb_borland_a_quick_study/11820016 Wisconsin star LB Borland a quick study http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/wisconsin_star_lb_borland_a_quick_study/11820016 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/9/7919cee870ceb083528a43ad2b5aaca5e5e5d101/mini/wisconsin-ohio-state.jpg ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg continued his countdown of the top players in the Big Ten on Friday and Wisconsin wide receiver Jared Abbrederis came in at No. 21. Abbrederis joins teammate Mike Taylor as the second Badger listed in the top-25. Sticking with the Big Ten blog, Brian Bennett released his list of the top linebackers in the conference and Taylor and Chris Borland are both featured on the list. Wisconsin is one of just three Big Ten schools to place more than one player on the list. The Wisconsin State Journal continues its breakdown of the Badgers heading into camp. The latest installment of the preseason series takes a look at the defensive line, a unit that will be one of the biggest question marks heading into the season. The Big Ten announced that ESPN and Big Ten Network will air select volleyball matches for the 2012 season of both a live and tape-delayed basis. The October 19 match against Indiana and the November 4 tilt with Penn State will be aired live on BT... Fri, 03 Aug 2012 19:44:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/the_sconnie_scoop_borland_and_taylor_projected_among_best/11372062 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/the_sconnie_scoop_borland_and_taylor_projected_among_best/11372062 The Sconnie Scoop: Borland and Taylor projected among best http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/the_sconnie_scoop_borland_and_taylor_projected_among_best/11372062 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/5/c5e9af8e7f16fea1ed5972325d643f61a960d55b/mini/Wisconsin_v_Ohio_5ce5.jpg MADISON, Wis. University of Wisconsin teammates Montee Ball and Chris Borland have been named to two preseason watch lists for a pair of major college football awards.Ball, a senior running back, is on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to the outstanding collegiate player of the year. Borland, a junior linebacker, is among the candidates for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to college football's outstanding defensive player of the year. Both preseason watch lists were revealed Monday by the Maxwell Football Club. Ball was one of 65 players named to the Maxwell Award watch list and will attempt to join former Badgers running back Ron Dayne as the trophy winner. Dayne captured the award in 1999 when he also won the Heisman Trophy. Ball, a Heisman Trophy finalist a year ago, is among 30 running backs up the Maxwell Award. He is the top returning rusher in the nation with 3,310 career rushing yards. Ball needs 17 total touchdowns and 18 rushing touchdowns to tie the NCAA career records Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:01:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ball_borland_represent_uw_on_watch_lists/11186314 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ball_borland_represent_uw_on_watch_lists/11186314 Ball, Borland represent UW on watch lists http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ball_borland_represent_uw_on_watch_lists/11186314 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/1/c149978edef056072d23301b85d296faffa3f609/mini/wisconsin-michigan.jpg MADISON, Wis. University of Wisconsin teammates Montee Ball and Chris Borland have been named to two preseason watch lists for a pair of major college football awards.Ball, a senior running back, is on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to the outstanding collegiate player of the year. Borland, a junior linebacker, is among the candidates for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to college football's outstanding defensive player of the year. Both preseason watch lists were revealed Monday by the Maxwell Football Club. Ball was one of 65 players named to the Maxwell Award watch list and will attempt to join former Badgers running back Ron Dayne as the trophy winner. Dayne captured the award in 1999 when he also won the Heisman Trophy. Ball, a Heisman Trophy finalist a year ago, is among 30 running backs up the Maxwell Award. He is the top returning rusher in the nation with 3,310 career rushing yards. Ball needs 17 total touchdowns and 18 rushing touchdowns to tie the NCAA career records Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:01:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ball_borland_represent_uw_on_watch_lists/11186317 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ball_borland_represent_uw_on_watch_lists/11186317 Ball, Borland represent UW on watch lists http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ball_borland_represent_uw_on_watch_lists/11186317 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/1/c149978edef056072d23301b85d296faffa3f609/mini/wisconsin-michigan.jpg Over the next two weeks the National College Football Awards Association will roll out their respective watch lists and it all starts with two of the biggest in the Maxwell Award (Outstanding Collegiate Player of the Year) and the Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year) announcing theirs first today.  Wisconsin saw RB Montee Ball have his name placed on the Maxwell Award watch list and MLB Chris Borland was named to the Benarik Award watch list in an announcement earlier today.  Ball was one of 65 names on the preseason list which included 8 Big Ten players on it. You can find the entire list here. Borland was named to the Bednarik preseason list for the second straight year and that list of players can be found here. The lists won't be pared down until semi-finalists will be announced on Oct. 29th. Congrats to Ball and Borland and we'll be sure to keep you up to speed on any other Badgers named to these lists over the next few weeks.  Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:20:14 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ball_borland_make_top_award_watch_lists/11184511 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/ball_borland_make_top_award_watch_lists/11184511 Ball, Borland Make Top Award Watch Lists http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/ball_borland_make_top_award_watch_lists/11184511 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/8/782f4352ee452448238a16e57dc6a71b9d56cb13/mini/wisconsin-michigan.jpg MADISON, Wis. Chris Borland and Mike Taylor each say they don't much care that most college football fans probably have no idea who they are. The attention is not important, they concur, even if both players happen to be two of the best linebackers in the entire country, standing just a few feet apart on the same team.At the University of Wisconsin, flash never has been a sticking point at any position, let alone a bruising one such as linebacker. Borland and Taylor's role in the Badgers' defense is to make tackles, not to pick up popularity points on national television."We just like playing the game and winning," Borland said. "Those two things have happened all year. We haven't missed a snap and we've won 11 games, so it's all sunny on our side."Even if fans aren't yet aware of the Badgers' two top tacklers, you'd better believe opposing offenses have already taken notice. Because it hasn't been particularly sunny for ball carriers sitting square Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:03:44 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/badgers_grit_exemplified_by_stellar_linebackers/8784505 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/badgers_grit_exemplified_by_stellar_linebackers/8784505 Badgers' grit exemplified by stellar linebackers http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/badgers_grit_exemplified_by_stellar_linebackers/8784505 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MADISON, Wis. Chris Borland and Mike Taylor each say they don't much care that most college football fans probably have no idea who they are. The attention is not important, they concur, even if both players happen to be two of the best linebackers in the entire country, standing just a few feet apart on the same team.At the University of Wisconsin, flash never has been a sticking point at any position, let alone a bruising one such as linebacker. Borland and Taylor's role in the Badgers' defense is to make tackles, not to pick up popularity points on national television."We just like playing the game and winning," Borland said. "Those two things have happened all year. We haven't missed a snap and we've won 11 games, so it's all sunny on our side."Even if fans aren't yet aware of the Badgers' two top tacklers, you'd better believe opposing offenses have already taken notice. Because it hasn't been particularly sunny for ball carriers sitting square Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:03:44 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/badgers_grit_exemplified_by_stellar_linebackers/8784367 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/badgers_grit_exemplified_by_stellar_linebackers/8784367 Badgers' grit exemplified by stellar linebackers http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/badgers_grit_exemplified_by_stellar_linebackers/8784367 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MADISON, Wis. Chris Borland is scanning his memory bank, trying to recall the last time he's been a part of a three-game losing streak as a football player. Borland, Wisconsin's middle linebacker, pauses a beat before settling on an answer. "I've never lost three games in a row," Borland said. "I lost three games in all of high school." The idea, then, that perennial power Wisconsin stands on the precipice of a three-game losing skid after vying for a national championship game spot just two weeks earlier is almost unheard of to Borland. The Badgers haven't endured a three-game losing streak since 2008. And they aim to keep it that way when Wisconsin (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten) plays host to Purdue (4-4, 2-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Borland and his teammates insist they're locked into urgency mode this week following two heartbreaking losses. Just not emergency mode. "We're not freaking out," Badgers defensive end Brendan Kelly said. & Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:43:55 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/wisconsin_wants_no_part_of_a_three_game_skid/8005264 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/wisconsin_wants_no_part_of_a_three_game_skid/8005264 Wisconsin wants no part of a three-game skid http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/wisconsin_wants_no_part_of_a_three_game_skid/8005264 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MADISON, Wis. Chris Borland is scanning his memory bank, trying to recall the last time he's been a part of a three-game losing streak as a football player. Borland, Wisconsin's middle linebacker, pauses a beat before settling on an answer. "I've never lost three games in a row," Borland says. "I lost three games in all of high school." The idea, then, that perennial power Wisconsin stands on the precipice of a three-game losing skid after vying for a national championship spot just two weeks earlier is almost unheard of to Borland. The Badgers haven't endured a three-game losing streak since 2008. And they aim to keep it that way when Wisconsin (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten) plays host to Purdue (4-4, 2-2) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Borland and his teammates insist they're locked into urgency mode this week following two heartbreaking losses. Just not emergency mode. "We're not freaking out," Badgers defensive end Brendan Kelly says. " Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:43:55 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/wisconsin_wants_no_part_of_a_three_game_skid/7838458 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/wisconsin_wants_no_part_of_a_three_game_skid/7838458 Wisconsin wants no part of a three-game skid http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/wisconsin_wants_no_part_of_a_three_game_skid/7838458 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png