It takes a special running back to keep churning out runs through contact, and this group has been the best in the country to start the season.

Running through the first contact is a valuable trait for running backs. Obviously, having an effective running game begins with a strong offensive line, but the best running backs are able to battle through tackles for extra yardage.

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When it comes to yards after contact per attempt, three B1G rushers are in the top 10 nationally early on. Rutgers’ Isaih Pacheco ranks at the top of the conference in the stat while Michigan State’s new starter Elijah Collins is not far behind. Wisconsin star Jonathan Taylor is the third B1G player in the top 10.

Pacheco, Collins, and Taylor currently rank 4th, 6th, and 8th in the nation in yards after contact per attempt: