Ohio St., MSU have clearly different QBs

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

When Michigan State and Ohio State, both 3-1, square off on Saturday, there will be a clear difference between the two quarterbacks.

The Spartans’ Kirk Cousins is a fifth-year senior starting his 30th game; Ohio State true freshman Braxton Miller takes the field for his second start. Cousins is more of a passer than runner who’s willing to do whatever it takes to win; Miller is an unproven thrower who likes to turn broken plays into big yardage by scrambling.

Cousins is 19-10 as a starter, Miller is 1-0.

The Big Ten opener for both teams hinges on whether Cousins’ savvy and experience outweighs Miller’s rapid maturation at the position.

PENN STATE

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.

Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin are settling into their quarterback rotation at Penn State.

Not that they have much of choice since coach Joe Paterno is apparently sticking with his two-man carousel for the foreseeable future, starting with Saturday’s Big Ten opener at Indiana.

Bolden and McGloin stuck with team-first messages Wednesday and offered no hints of discord about their unusual job share.

Both players would like to be the only quarterback at Penn State. They also both said Wednesday they’re fine with splitting snaps if that’s what Paterno wants.

So far, the results are mixed. Penn State (3-1) struggled throwing the ball the first three games before McGloin and Bolden combined for 335 passing yards and four touchdowns against Eastern Michigan.

NEBRASKA-WISCONSIN

LINCOLN, Neb.

No. 8 Nebraska has made changes at three of the four positions in the secondary in preparation for No. 7 Wisconsin on Saturday night.

Corey Cooper replaced Andrew Green at right cornerback after having never played the position.

Alfonzo Dennard, who missed the first three games with a leg injury, has taken over for Ciante Evans at left cornerback.

Daimion Stafford started at nickel back for the first time, and P.J. Smith took over Stafford’s spot at strong safety.

Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini says the changes give Nebraska size to counter Wisconsin’s big receivers.

Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS

Coach Jerry Kill has returned to practice, three days after checking into the Mayo Clinic to seek treatment for his seizures.

Kill says he plans to be on the sideline Saturday when the Golden Gophers play at No. 19 Michigan.

Kill had a seizure at the end of a loss to New Mexico State on Sept. 10.