If senior running back Montee Ball gets even remotely close to replicating the numbers this month he put up the past two Novembers, the Badgers’ remaining opponents better brace themselves.
Ball has averaged 176.8 yards per game (7.1 yards per carry) and scored 25 touchdowns (3.1 per game) in eight November games over the last two seasons.
If there was anybody that doesn’t find those statistics overwhelming, it would have to be Badgers’ running backs coach Thomas Hammock.
Hammock ran for over 1,000 yards for Northern Illinois in the 2000 and 2001 seasons and ranks ninth on the Huskies’ all-time rushing list, so he clearly knows a little bit about the demanding schedule running backs adhere to.
However, the late surge that Ball has become accustomed to is expected by Hammock.
“Normally the good backs get stronger as the year goes along,” he said.
Hammock said Ball’s effort outside of games is what allows him to stay strong at a point in the season where the wear-and-tear may start to come into play for most backs, making Ball’s November stats less breathtaking to Hammock.
“I just think his X-factor is the way he practices and the way he prepares allows him to be ready to the highest level,” Hammock said.
But apparently it took a while for Ball to recognize this distinctive trait of gaining momentum as the season progresses.
“I think since I know that now, I’m capable of just enduring it,” Ball said.
The Badgers’ upcoming opponents might want to steady themselves even more, considering the NCAA touchdown record that Ball is closing in on. He needs just five more to break Miami Ohio running back Travis Prentice’s 78 career touchdowns, and admits that it’s on his mind day-in and day-out, but he never talks about it with Hammock.
“I think about [the record] maybe twice a day,” Ball joked. “It’s in my head, let me say that. I’m really looking forward to breaking it and hopefully I do.”
Ball’s numbers in November might be slightly skewed considering the front-heavy schedules of the last two Big Ten seasons for the Badgers. They played Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois and Penn State to close out the Big Ten schedule last year while playing Purdue, Indiana, Michigan and Northwestern to finish the season in 2010.
The Badgers close out the season this year with Indiana on Saturday, followed by a home game against Ohio State and a trip to Penn State.
Ball has a golden opportunity to start the strong November trend early again this year. The Hoosiers rank No. 107 in the nation against the run, allowing over 208 yards per game on the ground while surrendering 17 rushing touchdowns this season.
Ball also said Tuesday that the team got a clue of who would start at quarterback Saturday.
“We have an idea,” he said, “but as of right now we’re not going to tell anybody because they’re both really competing.”
But with a Leaders Division title still up for grabs (yet attainable after a win Saturday), Ball and the rest of the Badgers appear to be in the right mindset despite the uncertainty at quarterback.
“As players and competitors, we know that to make it to the championship games you have to win out in November,” Ball said. “So we make sure we preach that.”
