Quite a debut
November 01, 2009 | Football
Nov. 1, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- True freshman linebacker Chris Borland was named co-Big Ten Defensive Play of the Week after recovering two fumbles, forcing another and recording four tackles (one TFL) in his first career start against Purdue. Wisconsin's 37-0 win over the Boilermakers marked the team's first shutout since blanking San Diego State, 14-0, in Bret Bielema's first year as head coach on Sept. 16, 2006. It was also the Badgers' first shutout of a Big Ten opponent since holding Indiana scoreless in a 59-0 win on Oct. 16, 1999.
Borland was also named co-Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week earlier this season after blocking a punt against Wofford. He is the first Badger to earn defensive and special teams player of the week honors in the same season since Jim Leonhard in 2003.
It is the fifth time this season a UW player has been honored by the Big Ten. In addition to Borland's two awards, running back John Clay, defensive end O'Brien Schofield and quarterback Scott Tolzien have earned conference honors.
Borland is one of three players in the country to have forced and recovered at least three fumbles this year (Jammie Kirlew of Indiana and Cliff Matthews of South Carolina are the others). He is just the sixth player in Wisconsin history to recover three fumbles in a season and just the third to force and recover at least three in a season (Jim DeLisle forced six and recovered four in 1968 and Ed Bosold forced three and recovered five in 1972).
Though he has just one start under his belt, Borland also has a blocked punt, 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks this season.
