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Rick talks to Wisconsin Badger football legend, Montee Ball this week.
After a record-breaking high school career, Ball had a stellar career for the Badgers.
In 2011, Ball was named First-team All-American by Yahoo Sports. He was one of five finalists for the Heisman Trophy. He finished fourth in the voting, with 348 points (22-1st place, 83-2nd place and 116-3rd place points). Ball’s fourth-place finish was the highest in Wisconsin history for a non-winner of the award, until Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon finished second behind Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota in 2014. He was joined by teammate Russell Wilson, who also received votes.
On January 2, 2012, Ball scored his 39th touchdown of the season, tying him with Barry Sanders for most touchdowns in a single FBS season. He finished the season with a NCAA-leading 1,923 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns, while adding 24 receptions for 306 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
In 2012, Ball scored three rushing touchdowns against Purdue, giving Ball a career total of 72 touchdowns. This broke the Big Ten record and the Wisconsin record of 71 held by former Badgers running back Ron Dayne. He also ran for a career-high of 247 yards against the Boilermakers.
On November 24, 2012, Ball became the FBS career record holder for total touchdowns when he scored his 79th touchdown on a 17-yard run against Penn State.
Ball won the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back. Ball became the second Badger to win the award. Ron Dayne won the award in 1999. He was named as a Consensus All-American.
On New Year’s Day, 2013, Ball became the first player in Rose Bowl Game history to score a touchdown in three straight years.[39] Overall, he finished the season with 1,830 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns.
NCAA single season records
Most touchdowns, season: 39 tied (2011)
Most consecutive games with two or more touchdowns: 13 (2011)
Most points scored by non-kicker: 236 (2011)
Big Ten single season records
Most touchdowns: 39 (2011)
Wisconsin single season records
Most touchdowns: 39 (2011)
Most rushing touchdowns: 33 (2011)
