These B1G RBs can still hit 1,000 yards with a big bowl performance

It’s bowl season.

It’s also the time of season for players to hit milestones.

One key milestone every running back tries to hit — seemingly no matter the level of competition — is the 1,000-yard rushing mark. In the Big Ten, it’s no different. Of course, how you get to 1,000 matters.

Efficiency, in the end, is what matters. But, let’s be honest. If a RB gets over 1,000 rushing yards during a season, it’s cool to look at.

It just is.

Here are the Big Ten RBs who haven’t hit 1,000 yards yet, but still have a realistic shot at reaching the mark:

• Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota — 936 yards, needs 64 against Georgia Tech on Dec. 26
• DJ Knox, Purdue — 868 yards, needs 132 against Auburn on Dec. 28
• Mike Weber, Ohio State — 858 yards, needs 142 against Washington on Jan. 1

Those three, again, have realistic shots at getting to 1,000 for the season. There are two more, though, that could realistically get thre as well:

• Isaiah Bowser, Northwestern — 796 yards, needs 204 against Utah on Dec. 31
• Mekhi Sargent, Iowa — 748 yards, needs 252 against Mississippi State on Jan. 1

For Bowser and Sargent to get to 1,000, of course, would be difficult. Bowser is the main, go-to back at Northwestern, though. It wouldn’t be out of this world to see him get to 204.

With Sargent, just look at his previous game against Nebraska. Sargent ran for 173 yards. What’s another 79-yard run on top of that? That’s what Sargent would need.

We’ll keep a look out for the first three mentioned in particular, but if Bowser or Sargent hit the mark, we’ll surely let you know about it.

Kevin Cunningham

Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.