Identifying the Big Ten’s best recruiters

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

If you haven't done it already, check out our signing day primer. As part of the story, I was asked to identify several Big Ten recruiting superlatives, including the league's best recruiter.

Former Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley owned the title before he left to become New Mexico's head coach, and several Big Ten assistants could lay claim to the designation. Most of Michigan's staff is new to the league, so it's hard to judge their recruiting clout just yet. I settled on Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who has landed several top prospects from the Maryland/Washington, D.C., area and elsewhere.

Here's my list of top recruiters for each Big Ten team. Many of you follow recruiting as closely or more closely than I do, so please e-mail me your suggestions and votes and I'll post the responses later in the week.

ILLINOIS

Running backs coach Reggie Mitchell — Illinois might have lost its pipeline to D.C. with Locksley's departure, but Mitchell continues to get the top players from the Chicago area. The team's recruiting coordinator has brought linebacker Martez Wilson and others to Champaign, and was instrumental in landing 2009 top prospects Terry Hawthorne and Kraig Appleton. The departure of O-line coach Eric Wolford hurts Illinois' recruiting, but co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch does well in Florida.

INDIANA

Wide receivers coach Billy Lynch — The head coach's son is responsible for nearly half of Indiana's 2009 recruiting class. He recruits locally extremely well and last year brought running back Darius Willis to Bloomington.

IOWA

Offensive line coach Reese Morgan — Iowa has a tradition of recruiting and developing elite offensive linemen, and Morgan is a big reason why. He recruits the state extremely well and brought in players like Jordan Bernstine and Tyler Sash to go along with seven commitments for 2009. Assistant linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator Eric Johnson successfully recruits the surrounding states and has brought players like quarterback Marvin McNutt and Christian Ballard to Iowa City.

MICHIGAN

Quarterbacks coach Rod Smith and wide receivers coach Tony Dews — As I stated earlier, it's a bit premature to make final determinations on Michigan's staff. Running backs coach Fred Jackson is a holdover and has recruited the Detroit area well in past years. But both Smith and Dews have distinguished themselves on the recruiting trail, luring top 2009 prospects like Tate Forcier, William Campbell and Craig Roh to Ann Arbor.

MICHIGAN STATE

Running backs coach Dan Enos — The former Spartans quarterback has played an instrumental role in upgrading the program's recruiting, which will play dividends Wednesday with a potentially program-changing class. Enos recruits the Detroit area extremely well and has brought in players like wideout Fred Smith and quarterback Kirk Cousins, as well as 2009 prospects like Edwin Baker, Larry Caper and Dion Sims.

MINNESOTA

Defensive line coach Tim Cross — The team's associate head coach and lead recruiter played a key role in signing Minnesota's nationally ranked 2008 class, landing players like Troy Stoudermire and Keanon Cooper. Head coach Tim Brewster does much of the heavy lifting in recruiting, but Cross and co-defensive coordinator Ron Lee chip in as well.

NORTHWESTERN

Superbacks coach Adam Cushing — He coaches a group rarely used in Northwestern's offense, but Cushing's contributions as a recruiter have been invaluable. Cushing serves as the team's recruiting coordinator and landed players like defensive end Vince Browne, safety David Arnold, linebacker Brett Nagel and top 2009 prospect Patrick Ward.

OHIO STATE

Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Luke Fickell — Several recruiters stand out on Jim Tressel's staff, but Fickell repeatedly lures top prospects from the Cleveland area and far-flung regions like Georgia and Florida. Quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels landed Terrelle Pryor last year, and wide receivers coach Darrell Hazell is a proven recruiter. Cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson is a rising star on the recruiting trail.

PENN STATE

Defensive line coach Larry Johnson – Johnson gets the nod after bringing in players like Aaron Maybin, Maurice Evans, Navorro Bowman and Jared Odrick. No assistant played a bigger role in Penn State's 2009 nationally ranked class than Johnson, who recruited Derrick Thomas and Darrell Givens, among others. No wonder Ron Zook wanted Johnson to join his staff at Illinois.

PURDUE

Defensive line coach Terrell Williams — This is another mostly new staff to the Big Ten, and coach Danny Hope does much of the recruiting himself, but Williams has proven to be a major asset so far. Williams helped to land half of Purdue's incoming recruiting class, including top running back Al-Terek McBurse. He recruits Florida extremely well, which falls right in line with Hope's approach.

WISCONSIN

Offensive line coach Bob Bostad — Health issues forced top recruiter Henry Mason away from the program in 2007, and his absence is missed. Head coach Bret Bielema has a strong reputation as a recruiter, and Bostad is doing a solid job early in his tenure. Bostad's fingerprints were all over Wisconsin's 2008 class, as he landed offensive lineman Peter Konz and others. Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and defensive coordinator Dave Doeren are also solid recruiters.

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Sutton, Browne to return for Alamo Bowl

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Barring a surprise setback in the next few days, running back Tyrell Sutton and defensive end Vince Browne will suit up for Northwestern on Monday against Missouri in the Valero Alamo Bowl (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

Sutton missed the final four regular-season games after suffering a dislocated left wrist Oct. 25 against Indiana. Browne sustained a knee injury on a noncontact play Nov. 1 against Minnesota and missed the final three games.

“I fully anticipate both guys playing, and we’ll go from there,” Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald told me this afternoon from San Antonio. “How much and all that will be dictated by game plan and how the game goes.”

Sutton will wear a brace on his left wrist, but he is fully participating in practice. The senior leads Northwestern with 776 rushing yards and six touchdowns and ranks fourth on the team in receptions with 30.

Browne bolsters a defensive line that helped Northwestern lead the Big Ten in sacks this season (33). With four sacks to his credit, Browne gives the Wildcats another pass rusher against Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel.

Fitzgerald said he was optimistic about Sutton’s status when the back returned to practice last week. Sutton underwent surgery on the wrist Oct. 28 and wore several hard casts during the rehab process. Though it took a few days to get used to catching passes with the brace on, Sutton has adjusted.

“I feel pretty good,” Sutton said. “A lot of guys are trying to keep me healthy by not trying to hit the hand [in practice], but I told a couple guys on the defensive side, ‘Don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright. Missouri’s not going to take it easy to me, so I might as well get acclimated to the hits I’ll be taking in the game.’”

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Sutton and Browne to return for Alamo Bowl

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Barring a surprise setback in the next few days, running back Tyrell Sutton and defensive end Vince Browne will suit up for Northwestern on Monday against Missouri in the Valero Alamo Bowl (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

Sutton missed the final four regular-season games after suffering a dislocated left wrist Oct. 25 against Indiana. Browne sustained a knee injury on a noncontact play Nov. 1 against Minnesota and missed the final three games.

“I fully anticipate both guys playing, and we’ll go from there,” Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald told me this afternoon from San Antonio. “How much and all that will be dictated by game plan and how the game goes.”

Sutton will wear a brace on his left wrist, but he is fully participating in practice. The senior leads Northwestern with 776 rushing yards and six touchdowns and ranks fourth on the team in receptions with 30. 

Browne bolsters a defensive line that helped Northwestern lead the Big Ten in sacks this season (33). With four sacks to his credit, Browne gives the Wildcats another pass rusher against Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel.

Fitzgerald said he was optimistic about Sutton’s status when the back returned to practice last week. Sutton underwent surgery on the wrist Oct. 28 and wore several hard casts during the rehab process. Though it took a few days to get used to catching passes with the brace on, Sutton has adjusted. 

“I feel pretty good,” Sutton said. “A lot of guys are trying to keep me healthy by not trying to hit the hand [in practice], but I told a couple guys on the defensive side, ‘Don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright. Missouri’s not going to take it easy to me, so I might as well get acclimated to the hits I’ll be taking in the game.’”

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Sutton, Browne likely to return for Alamo Bowl

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

As a heavy underdog, Northwestern will need all the help it can get for an upcoming Valero Alamo Bowl matchup against Missouri. The Wildcats welcomed back two key pieces to practice this week.

Senior running back Tyrell Sutton is fully participating in pre-bowl workouts after recovering from a dislocated left wrist. Sutton still has a cast on the wrist but is optimistic he’ll play Dec. 29 in San Antonio.

During practice he seemed to show some rust in catching passes but looked fine running the ball. Sutton leads Northwestern with 776 rushing yards and six touchdowns to go along with 30 receptions for 276 yards.

“It has been a long road,” said Sutton, who was in very good spirits after practice. “The injury last year [high ankle sprain] helped me overcome the injury this year. When I dislocated my wrist, [doctors] actually told me I was the happiest person they’d ever seen. So the injury last year helped me cope with this one.”

Northwestern will need to put pressure on Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel in the Alamo Bowl and should get rush end Vince Browne back on the field. Browne, who tore a knee ligament covering a kickoff Nov. 1 against Minnesota, led Big Ten freshmen with seven tackles for loss and four sacks this season.

“It’s a bonus getting him back,” defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz said.

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ESPN.com’s 2008 Big Ten All-Freshman team

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

The bowl schedule kicks off Saturday and we’re nearing the end of award season, so it’s time to recognize the Big Ten’s top freshmen for the 2008 season.

It was an interesting year for the newbies, as the Big Ten’s most anticipated freshman in recent memory, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, made an immediate impact as a starter. Several other freshmen claimed major roles, either because of performance or necessity.

There seemed to be a wealth of candidates at running back, wide receiver and defensive back. On the flip side, there wasn’t much to choose from at tight end or linebacker. There really wasn’t a deserving candidate at tight end this year, so I’ve added a third running back.

The list includes both true freshmen and redshirt freshmen. I’m sure I’m missing someone, so please let me know your thoughts.

OFFENSE

QB: Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State

RB: John Clay, Wisconsin

RB: Jewel Hampton, Iowa

RB: Stephfon Green, Penn State

WR: Martavious Odoms, Michigan

WR: B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State

OL: Mike Brewster, Ohio State

OL: Joel Foreman, Michigan State

OL: Ben Burkett, Northwestern

OL: Jeff Allen, Illinois

OL: David Molk, Michigan

K: Philip Welch, Wisconsin

Return man: Troy Stoudermire, Minnesota

DEFENSE

DL: Mike Martin, Michigan

DL: Vince Browne, Northwestern

DL: Cory Liuget, Illinois

DL: Nathan Williams, Ohio State

LB: Joe Holland, Purdue

LB: Michael Mauti, Penn State

LB: Chris Carlino, Purdue

DB: Jordan Mabin, Northwestern

DB: Drew Astorino, Penn State

DB: Johnny Adams, Michigan State

DB: Tyler Sash, Iowa

P: Chris Hagerup, Indiana

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Big Ten internal affairs: Week 14

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

The regular season is finished, but there’s still some news throughout the conference. Here’s a closer look at five Big Ten teams.

Michigan
Three players have left the program in recent days, and more attrition could be on the way. But head coach Rich Rodriguez expects freshman running back Sam McGuffie to return next fall, despite rumors of a transfer to a school closer to his home in Texas. McGuffie led Michigan in carries (118) and finished second in rushing (486), but he was overtaken by Brandon Minor down the stretch and dealt with some injuries, including two concussions that might require more medical evaluation.

“Sam has some tough issues,” Rodriguez said. “He’s a long way from home, trying to take care of his family. … But hopefully Sam, he had a pretty good freshman year. He got banged up a little bit here at the end. But hopefully things will work out.”

Michigan State
The Spartans’ extra practice time in the coming weeks could jump-start what figures to be one of the Big Ten’s most intriguing position competitions heading into 2009. With senior quarterback Brian Hoyer graduating, Michigan State will turn to either Kirk Cousins or Oklahoma transfer Keith Nichol to lead the offense. Cousins has looked good in relief work this fall, completing 7 of 9 passes with a 23-yard touchdown pass and a 2-point conversion in Saturday’s loss to Penn State. The coaches don’t need to see much of Hoyer until game preparation begins, so they should get an extended look at Cousins and Nichol in practice.

Minnesota
Head coach Tim Brewster on Monday announced the resignation of offensive line coach Phil Meyer, who will pursue other opportunities. Minnesota’s offensive line became a glaring weakness as the season went along, and the Gophers ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing offense (105.8 yards per game) and 10th in sacks allowed (27). Inexperience and injuries contributed to the struggles, but Minnesota was manhandled down the stretch by Iowa and Michigan. Brewster will begin a national search for a replacement and could make a hire before Minnesota’s bowl game.

Northwestern
The Wildcats hope to get two big pieces back for a bowl appearance. Defensive end Vince Browne will not require surgery on his knee, as originally thought, and should begin doing light running with the team when practices resume next week. Browne, who has four sacks and seven tackles for loss, sustained the injury on kickoff coverage Nov. 1 against Minnesota. Star running back Tyrell Sutton recently was fitted with a second cast on his injured wrist. Sutton will have the cast removed the second week of December, at which point he’ll be re-evaluated. Northwestern won three of four games without Sutton but struggled to run the ball consistently.

Ohio State
Perhaps no player will benefit from an extended layoff more than junior running back Chris “Beanie” Wells. Wells re-aggravated a right hamstring injury in Saturday’s win against Michigan and sat out the final quarter. Though he fully expects to play in a January bowl game, Wells welcomes the time off. He estimates that he hasn’t been better than 80 percent healthy all season, dealing with a foot injury before the hamstring. If Wells gets near full strength for a bowl, he could have a huge performance in what could very well be his final collegiate game.

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Final Big Ten injury report: Week 13

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Courtesy of collegeinjuryreport.com and some of my own research.

ILLINOIS (at Northwestern)

• QB Eddie McGee, toe, probable
• LB Martez Wilson, out, suspension
• DT Josh Brent, knee, questionable
• RB Mikel LeShoure, jaw, questionable
• FB Rahkeem Smith, suspension, questionable
• S Garrett Edwards, shoulder, questionable
• OT Ryan Palmer, foot, questionable
• CB Miami Thomas, knee, out (season)
• DT Sirod Williams, knee, out (season)

INDIANA (at Purdue)

• RB Zach Davis-Walker, thumb, questionable
• S Jerimy Finch, ankle, questionable
• RB Bryan Payton, ankle, questionable
• CB Richard Council, knee, questionable
• LB Will Patterson, knee, questionable
• CB Richard Council, knee, doubtful
• OL Andrew McDonald, undisclosed, questionable
• S Nick Polk, knee, out (season)
• TE Brian Zematis, ankle, out (season)
• S Austin Thomas, knee, out (season)
• OL Dennis Zeigler, knee, out (season)
• CB Chris Phillips, knee, out (season)

IOWA (at Minnesota)

• OG Andy Kuempel, muscle pull, doubtful
• OL Wes Aeschliman, hip, out (season)
• S Harold Dalton, suspension, out
• TE Tony Moeaki, leg, questionable
• OL James Ferentz, suspension, out

MICHIGAN (at Ohio State)

• WR Zion Babb, dismissal, out (season)
• RB Sam McGuffie, shoulder/personal, questionable
• OT Stephen Schilling, knee, questionable
• RB Carlos Brown, foot, questionable
• WR Junior Hemingway, mononucleosis, out
• QB Steven Threet, shoulder, doubtful,
• LB Kevin Leach, ankle, questionable
• T Mark Huyge, ankle, out
• WR Terence Robinson, knee, doubtful
• S Brandon Smith, appendix, out (season)
• G Cory Zirbel, knee, out (season)

MICHIGAN STATE (at Penn State)

• WR Keshawn Martin, undisclosed, questionable
• CB Chris L. Rucker, leg, questionable
• WR Mark Dell, knee, questionable
• S Roderick Jenrette, personal, out (season)

MINNESOTA (vs. Iowa)

• WR Eric Decker, ankle, probable
• S Kyle Theret, leg, probable
• LB Lee Campbell, questionable, hamstring
• RB Duane Bennett, knee, out (season)

NORTHWESTERN (vs. Illinois)

• DT Corbin Bryant, knee, out (season)
• LB Malcolm Arrington, knee, out (season)
• QB Mike Kafka, concussion, probable
• DE Vince Browne, knee, out
• RB Omar Conteh, knee, out (season)
• TE/FB Drake Dunsmore, knee, out (season)
• DE Rejaie Johnson, shoulder, out (season)
• RB Tyrell Sutton, wrist, out
• CB Justan Vaughn, shoulder, out (season)

OHIO STATE (vs. Michigan)

• WR Ray Small, suspension, questionable
• CB Jermale Hines, leg, doubtful
• OL Ben Person, leg, out
• OL Connor Smith, undisclosed, questionable
• DE Curtis Terry, undisclosed, out (season)
• OL Mike Adams, ankle, out (season)
• OL J.B. Shugarts, shoulder, out (season)
• DE Lawrence Wilson, knee, out (season)
• CB Andre Amos, knee, out (season)

PENN STATE (vs. Michigan State)

• DE Josh Gaines, ankle, questionable
• OL Ako Poti, knee, out (season)
• DT Devon Still, ankle, out (season)
• RB Brent Carter, knee, out (season)
• OL Doug Klopacz, knee, out (season)
• DE Jerome Hayes, knee, out (season)

PURDUE (vs. Indiana)

• TE Kyle Adams, knee, doubtful
• LB Jason Werner, back, out
• OL Justin Pierce, groin, questionable
• OT Sean Sester, knee, probable
• G Eric Hedstrom, knee, probable
• QB Joey Elliott, shoulder, out (season)
• T Garrett Miller, knee, out (season)
• RB Jaycen Taylor, knee, out (season)

WISCONSIN (vs. Cal-Poly)

• T Eric Vanden Heuvel, foot, probable
• WR Kyle Jefferson, concussion, out
• TE Lance Kendricks, leg, out (season)
• WR Maurice Moore, leg, doubtful
• TE Travis Beckum, leg, out (season)
• DE Brendan Kelly, thumb, out (season)
• CB Aaron Henry, knee, out (season)
• DE Kirk DeCremer, back, out (season)

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Final Big Ten injury report: Week 12

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Courtesy of collegeinjuryreport.com and some of my own research. Michigan State has a bye this week.

ILLINOIS (vs. Ohio State)

• RB Mikel LeShoure, jaw, doubtful
• FB Rahkeem Smith, suspension, probable (suspension lifted)
• S Garrett Edwards, shoulder, questionable
• OT Xavier Fulton, shoulder, probable
• OT Ryan Palmer, foot, probable
• CB Miami Thomas, knee, out (season)
• DT Sirod Williams, knee, out (season)

INDIANA (at Penn State)

• RB Zach Davis-Walker, thumb, questionable
• S Jerimy Finch, ankle, questionable
• RB Bryan Payton, ankle, out
• QB Kellen Lewis, ankle, probable
• QB Ben Chappell, probable, head
• LB Will Patterson, knee, out
• CB Richard Council, knee, doubtful
• S Joe Kleinsmith, undisclosed, questionable
• OL Pete Saxon, undisclosed, questionable
• OL Mike Reiter, abdominal, questionable
• OL James Brewer, ankle, questionable
• OT Rodger Saffold, knee, probable
• OL Andrew McDonald, undisclosed, questionable
• S Nick Polk, knee, out (season)
• TE Brian Zematis, ankle, out (season)
• S Austin Thomas, knee, out (season)
• OL Dennis Zeigler, knee, out (season)
• CB Chris Phillips, knee, out (season)

IOWA (vs. Purdue)

• OG Andy Kuempel, muscle pull, doubtful
• OL Wes Aeschliman, hip, out (season)
• S Harold Dalton, suspension, out
• TE Tony Moeaki, leg, doubtful
• OL James Ferentz, out, suspension

MICHIGAN (vs. Northwestern)

• RB Brandon Minor, shoulder/wrist/ribs, doubtful
• RB Carlos Brown, foot, questionable
• OL David Molk, toe, probable
• WR Junior Hemingway, mononucleosis, out
• QB Steven Threet, concussion, probable
• LB Kevin Leach, ankle, questionable
• T Mark Huyge, ankle, questionable
• WR Terence Robinson, knee, questionable
• S Brandon Smith, appendix, out (season)
• G Cory Zirbel, knee, out (season)

MINNESOTA (at Wisconsin)

• WR Eric Decker, ankle, out
• RB Duane Bennett, knee, out (season)

NORTHWESTERN (at Michigan)

• LB Malcolm Arrington, knee, out (season)
• QB C.J. Bacher, hamstring, probable
• DE Vince Browne, knee, out
• RB Omar Conteh, knee, out (season)
• TE/FB Drake Dunsmore, knee, out (season)
• DE Rejaie Johnson, shoulder, out (season)
• RB Tyrell Sutton, wrist, out
• CB Justan Vaughn, shoulder, out (season)

OHIO STATE (at Illinois)

• WR Ray Small, out, suspension
• OL Ben Person, leg, out
• DE Thaddeus Gibson, ankle, probable
• DE Curtis Terry, undisclosed, out(season)
• OL Mike Adams, ankle, out (season)
• OL J.B. Shugarts, shoulder, doubtful
• DE Lawrence Wilson, knee, out (season)
• CB Andre Amos, knee, out (season)

PENN STATE (vs. Indiana)

• CB Drew Astorino, thumb, probable
• DE Josh Gaines, ankle, probable
• OL Ako Poti, knee, out (season)
• DT Devon Still, ankle, out (season)
• RB Brent Carter, knee, out (season)
• OL Doug Klopacz, knee, out (season)
• DE Jerome Hayes, knee, out (season)

PURDUE (at Iowa)

• QB Curtis Painter, shoulder, probable
• TE Kyle Adams, knee, doubtful
• LB Jason Werner, back, doubtful
• OL Justin Pierce, groin, questionable
• OT Sean Sester, knee, questionable
• G Eric Hedstrom, knee, questionable
• QB Joey Elliott, shoulder, out (season)
• T Garrett Miller, knee, out (season)
• RB Jaycen Taylor, knee, out (season)

WISCONSIN (vs. Minnesota)

• T Eric Vanden Heuvel, foot, doubtful
• LB Jaevery McFadden, concussion, probable
• TE Lance Kendricks, leg, out (season)
• WR Maurice Moore, leg, questionable
• TE Travis Beckum, leg, out (season)
• DE Brendan Kelly, thumb, out (season)
• CB Aaron Henry, knee, out (season)
• DE Kirk DeCremer, back, out (season)

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Conteh out, Bacher probable for Northwestern

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Injuries continue to hit Northwestern at key positions, as senior running back Omar Conteh will miss Saturday’s game against No. 11 Ohio State with a knee injury. Conteh was inserted into a starting role last week after leading rusher Tyrell Sutton sustained a dislocated wrist Oct. 25 at Indiana.

Conteh’s injury occurred during a noncontact drill at Wednesday’s practice. It doesn’t appear to be season ending, but sophomore Stephen Simmons is expected to make his first career start against Ohio State.

“While we’re disappointed for Omar, we’re excited for the next man’s opportunity, in this case Stephen Simmons, Jacob Schmidt and Scott Concannon,” head coach Pat Fitzgerald said in a statement. “Our players are prepared to step up and fill in at running back.”

There was some good news on the Wildcats injury front, as starting quarterback C.J. Bacher has been upgraded to probable for the game with a hamstring injury. Fitzgerald said Bacher would start if healthy, though junior Mike Kafka remains part of the plan after an excellent performance at Minnesota.

Conteh struggled last week, rushing for only 12 yards on 12 carries. Simmons gives Northwestern more speed but much less experience in the backfield.

Northwestern’s full injury report is below.

• LB Malcolm Arrington, knee, out (season)
• QB C.J. Bacher, hamstring, probable
• DE Vince Browne, knee, out
• RB Omar Conteh, knee, out
• TE/FB Drake Dunsmore, knee, out (season)
• DE Rejaie Johnson, shoulder, out (season)
• RB Tyrell Sutton, wrist, out
• CB Justan Vaughn, shoulder, out (season)

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If healthy, Bacher to start against Buckeyes

Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald is sticking to the old rule that a player doesn’t lose his starting job because of injury.

Fitzgerald said today that senior quarterback C.J. Bacher will start Saturday against No. 11 Ohio State (ESPN2, noon ET) if his injured right hamstring sufficiently improves. Backup Mike Kafka also will be part of the game plan after leading No. 24 Northwestern to an upset of Minnesota, but Bacher likely will get the first shot.

Bacher was available against Minnesota but not healthy enough to start, Fitzgerald said. Expect him back this week.

Kafka ran for 217 yards against Minnesota, a Big Ten record for a quarterback. A repeat performance against Ohio State’s formidable defense is unrealistic, but Northwestern should keep Kafka in the mix, especially with Bacher’s struggles this season (10 TDs, 11 INTs). The junior deserves at least a series or two, and his running ability could help in the red zone.

Injuries continue to hurt Northwestern, which has lost promising defensive end Vince Browne for at least the rest of the regular season with a knee injury. Browne, who has four sacks this year, will undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament this week. Marshall Thomas likely will get more playing time behind starter Kevin Mims, who comes off his best game of the season.

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