Miller Big Ten’s top offensive player

Published 2:13 am Wednesday, December 4, 2013

CHICAGO (AP) — Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller is the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.

Miller has averaged 265 yards of total offense and accounted for 29 total touchdowns while leading Ohio State to a 12-0 record despite a knee injury early in the season. The Buckeyes will play Michigan State in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday.

Wisconsin’s Chris Borland was announced as the Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday and Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg as Freshman of the Year.

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Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio was selected Coach of the Year by both the coaches and media after leading the Spartans to an 11-1 record — 8-0 in conference play — and the Legends Division crown.

Borland is the fifth Badger to receive the Big Ten’s top defensive award, along with Erasmus James (2004), Jamar Fletcher (2000), Tom Burke (1998) and Troy Vincent (1991). He ranks third in the conference with 9.3 tackles per game.

Hackenberg is the third Nittany Lion and second in as many seasons to be selected Freshman of the Year, joining Deion Barnes (2012) and Curtis Enis (1995). He averaged 246.2 yards passing and threw for 20 touchdowns.