Big Ten eyes Maryland

Robinson returns at running back for Michigan

Maryland is in serious discussions to join the Big Ten, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday, which could lead to Rutgers joining the conference as its 14th member.

The University System of Maryland’s Board of Regents plan to meet as soon as Monday to discuss Maryland’s options, according to the Tribune.

Maryland is one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s seven original members and would have to pay a $ 50 million exit fee, a steep price for a program that cut seven sports in July because of a reported $ 4 million deficit.

The football program has sputtered, winning one ACC title since 1986. And it is academically deficient, as evidenced by the loss of three scholarships for the 2011- 12 season after failing to hit the minimum Academic Progress Rate.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany has said that the conference will emphasize “quantity over quality” when considering expansion. He has said the league’s teams “want to play each other more, not less.”

Rutgers would have to pay a $ 10-$ 20 million exit fee to the Big East.

Michigan: Star quarterback Denard Robinson returned to the starting lineup— at running back.

The senior lined up behind quarterback Devin Gardner in his final home game and gained 3 yards on a toss sweep the first time the 23rd- ranked Wolverines were on offense Saturday in a 42- 17 rout of Iowa.

Gardner made his third start at quarterback in place of Robinson, who had been out with nerve damage in his right elbow.

“It was different,” said Robinson, who finished with 98 yards rushing on 13 carries, including a 40- yard run.

Temple: Montel Harris rushed for a career- high 351 yards and seven touchdowns as the Owls defeated Army 63- 32.

Harris was a touchdown short of the NCAA record set in 1990 by Howard Griffith of Illinois against Southern Illinois.

“It’s a blessing to have a record like that,” said Harris, who had 36 carries. “Our goal is always to run the ball well and have a great game. I didn’t see this coming. I started off kind of slow at the beginning of the game.”