Blue White Illustrated

In August, Ball was attacked by a group of five individuals just off of Wisconsin's campus. The assault left him concussed and forced him to miss a large portion of preseason camp. He was healthy enough to play the season opener, but the Badgers' offense averaged just 16 points in the team's first three games as it ad- justed to a new offensive coaching staff. Ball averaged nearly 107 yards in those three games, but he said the of- fense as a whole was still in flux. Then, during a 37-26 victory over UTEP on Sept. 22, Ball suffered yet another concussion. Though he was back in an action the following week and healthy enough to carry the ball 31 times in Wisconsin's loss to Nebraska, the early-season setbacks might have kept him from enjoying the same type of success that he did a year ago. A Heisman finalist in 2011, Ball compiled 1,923 yards, leading the Badgers to a Rose Bowl berth. Head- ing into Saturday's matchup with Penn State, Ball is more than 500 yards shy of last season's mark, but he said he finally feels completely healthy. That's a scary thought for a Nittany Lion defense that will be without its biggest playmaker, Michael Mauti. Ball said he remembers Penn State from last season as "a solid defense, really fundamentally sound, and they definitely do a good job [of] flying around and attacking the football. They really play smart." That's high praise from a guy who rushed for 156 yards and four touch- downs in Wisconsin's 45-7 rout at home. He said he is looking to have similar success on the road against Penn State's defense, but he also ac- knowledged that it might be more dif- ficult, especially since it's Senior Day. "Away games are always tough," Ball said. "And this is their last game, so it's probably going to be very emo- tional for them, so we just have to make sure to take care of business." Since the Badgers run the ball more than 67 percent of the time, taking care of business will likely mean a heavy dose of No. 28. Junior James White also carries the ball from time to time, but other than those two, Wisconsin gets limited production from the rest of its skill players. Bielema is on his third starting quarterback of the season, and none have been effective under center, as the Badgers rank among the worst passing offenses in the Big Ten. Fifth- year senior Curt Phillips is penciled in to be the starter Saturday, and he's the only Badger quarterback who has- n't thrown an interception this sea- son. But his experience is limited to just four games, and Bielema is hop- ing to use the matchup against Penn State to sharpen his skills. Win or lose against the Lions, Wis- consin has already clinched a spot in the annual Big Ten Championship Game – partly because Leaders Divi- sion foes Ohio State and Penn State are ineligible for postseason play. So late-season progress is one of the main things Bielema will be looking for on Saturday. "It's just another step in the process," he said. "I hope to see them all improve." His defense is already pretty good. It's the best rushing defense in the conference, allowing just 106.6 yards per game. Only Michigan State allows fewer yards. A stout defense, combined with Ball's scoring potential, was supposed to make Wisconsin the crown jewel of the conference this season. Four losses have since blurred that prospect, but the Badgers still sit in prime position to make a second con- secutive trip to the Rose Bowl. At one point – somewhere between the loss to Oregon State and the two- point near-loss to Utah State – it ap- peared as if a return to Pasadena would be all but impossible. Even Ball was second-guessing his decision to return for his senior season. "I caught myself thinking about where I'd be right now," he recalled. "I'm only human. … But now I'm re- ally glad I decided to come back, de- spite the four losses we have. I think we had a really great year and I'm having a lot of fun." We'll see if Penn State fans share the same sentiment Saturday should he indeed become the NCAA's all-time leading scorer. N O V E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 2 BWI'S FORECAST NATE BAUER RECORD 7-4 The Nittany Lions simply have to find a way to slow down Mon- tee Ball, which is no small task. That said, the Badgers have no passing game, and if Penn State is able to score a few touch- downs, the defense should be able to take care of the rest. PENN STATE 20, WISCONSIN 16 PHIL GROSZ RECORD 7-4 I have to believe that Penn State will be ready for Wisconsin, even without its emotional leader Michael Mauti. This game will be dedicated to him, and I think the Lions contain the Badgers' one-dimensional offense. PENN STATE 24, WISCONSIN 21 MATT HERB RECORD 10-1 Penn State could do itself a world of good by going into the off-season on a high note. I think it will do just that. PENN STATE 31, WISCONSIN 24 TIM OWEN RECORD 8-3 Tough note to go out on, but stopping Montee Ball will prove to be too much of an obstacle for the Nittany Lions. WISCONSIN 28, PENN STATE 24 RYAN SNYDER RECORD 8-3 Penn State's senior class goes out in style with a hard-fought vic- tory over the Badgers. PENN STATE 27, WISCONSIN 24 ERIC THOMAS RECORD 7-4 How much emotion is left in the tank for Penn State? We should find out early and the results don't figure to be positive. WISCONSIN 21, PENN STATE 16 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M

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