Freshman linebacker Chris Borland has been effective at just about everything he has attempted to do for the University of Wisconsin football team.

Borland became a special teams standout, playing on all four units. In his third college game against Wofford, he blocked a punt and forced a fumble, earning Big Ten Conference co-Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

He is also a vital cog as a blitzing linebacker in the 3-3-5 alignment the Badgers use on third downs, with 2.5 sacks this season.

Last week in a 20-10 loss to Iowa, he filled in at strong-side linebacker after Mike Taylor suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second quarter. Borland led the defense with 10 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack, while forcing a fumble.

"Any role we put him in, not only defensively, but all four phases of the kicking game, he has excelled," UW coach Bret Bielema said.

About the only thing Borland has failed at was his attempt to be a trainer last week. Borland was bothered by a shoulder injury and didn't want to tell anybody, fearing he would miss practice time.

"We don't know what happened to my shoulder yet," Borland said after practice Wednesday. "But it was a little sore. I didn't want to miss any practice, so I just grabbed a shoulder brace and wore long sleeves.

"But they saw it. So, I got in a little trouble with the trainers. But they're taking care of me now."

It's a good thing Borland has proven to be a quick study, since his role is growing as a starter, now that Taylor is lost with an ACL injury. Taylor leads the defense in tackles with 46 and is third in TFLs with 6.5.

"You don't want it to happen this way but it did," Borland said. "I'm just excited for it and getting ready. It's unfortunate it happened to Mike. I feel terrible for him. It couldn't happen to a less-deserving guy. I feel like I have to play for him a little bit, because you know what he would do if he was in there."

One of the reasons Borland has excelled is he has had fairly defined roles. But he showed in the last game, he's capable of handling more.

"I think I've had enough practice time, I think I'm ready for it," he said of being an every-down player. "I also kind of look at it as more specific things I can be good at. It's going to be more, but it's going to be more opportunities."

Borland has quickly become a UW fan favorite because he plays with so much excitement and passion. He also understands the key to playing well is preparation.

"You know what I love about him is just his unwavering desire to please you as a coach," Bielema said. "He buys in and does all the little things that make him have success overall."

This week's bye comes at a perfect time for Borland, who has a chance to get his shoulder healthier and also relax a little bit. His biggest issue is he tries to make every play sometimes.

That was a habit from his high school days at Archbishop Alter in Kettering, Ohio, when Borland could cover up for other players around him and get away with it. That doesn't work at this level.

"You've got to be disciplined," he said. "I try to play two guys' positions sometimes, like I did in high school, but you can't do that up here."

With so much on his plate, there's a chance Borland's role on special teams will diminish. He's probably too valuable on the third-down defense to be taken off that.

"It'll be up to Coach (Bielema)," Borland said. "I can (stay on special teams) if he wants me to, it's no problem. It's only about 25 or 30 more plays."

Borland is at his happiest when he's on the field and, besides, he's got all winter to rest. But he also knows what has put him in this position.

"You've got to earn it," he said. "I've got to prepare and be ready. It's not like you go out there and you're excited and then you make plays. It's a result of being prepared. But I'm pumped for it."

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