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Come Fan with UsSunday, June 21, 2026

Big Ten Championship 2011, Wisconsin Vs. Michigan State: Badgers RB Montee Ball Closing In On Barry Sanders

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Wisconsin's last-second loss to the Michigan State Spartans in October dashed the lofty hopes the Badgers had of winning a national title. No one could blame Montee Ball, however, who accounted for 139 total yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Ball has scored 15 total touchdowns in five games since, giving him 34 on the season. He is now just five shy of Barry Sanders' NCAA record.

Ball set another NCAA record last Saturday, registering his 12th straight multi-touchdown game after finding the end zone four times against the Penn State Nittany Lions. He will have the benefit of the Big Ten Championship Game, as well as the bowl game, to potentially breaks Sanders’ record. Of course, it should pointed out that Sanders set his record in just 11 games during the regular season. Prior to 2002, the NCAA didn’t factor bowl games into individual season statistics. Sanders accounted for five touchdowns during Oklahoma State’s win over Wyoming in the 1988 Holiday Bowl.

For more on this game, head over to Wisconsin blog Bucky’s 5th Quarter and Michigan State blog The Only Colors. Visit SB Nation NCAA Football for more on Championship Weekend.

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