Ball named Maxwell Award semifinalist

Published Oct. 29, 2012 3:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin running back Montee Ball may not be on the Heisman Trophy finalist pace he set last year, but his senior season is still plenty good to earn him national recognition.

On Monday, Ball was listed as one of 16 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, presented annually to the college football player of the year.

This season, Ball has rushed for 1,028 yards with 13 touchdowns. He gained a career-best 247 yards rushing against Purdue this season and has picked up his pace considerably following a rough four-game start.

A year ago, Ball rushed for 1,923 yards and scored a total of 39 touchdowns to tie the single-season FBS record. In his career, he has 4,338 yards rushing, the most among active NCAA players.

Ball currently ranks third in NCAA history in career touchdowns. His 74 scores ranks behind Ricky Williams of Texas (75) and Travis Prentice of Miami, Ohio (78).

Ball joins Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller as the only two Big Ten players on the Maxwell Award list. Other players on the list include Notre Dame linebacker Manti T’eo, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein and USC wide receiver Marqise Lee.

Wisconsin has three regular-season games remaining: at Indiana on Nov. 10, home against Ohio State on Nov. 17 and at Penn State on Nov. 24.

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