MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A.J. Barker is third in the Big Ten with 231 yards receiving through three games. He's tied for third in the league with four touchdowns.

His next accomplishment will be getting a scholarship to go with those gaudy statistics.

Coach Jerry Kill told Barker during preseason camp he had to prove his durability in order to work his way up. He still is, essentially, since the official two-deep position chart doesn't even list him on it.

Finally able to run at full speed with his hamstring problems behind him, Barker has shown his speed. He has instincts to snag the ball in the air, as he showed with an NFL-like adjustment for a throw to the edge of the end zone on Saturday in Minnesota's 28-23 victory.

Minnesota (3-0) hosts Syracuse (1-2) Saturday night to close the nonconference portion of the season.

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