Montee Ball Sets New NCAA Career Touchdown Record

Wisconsin running back Montee Ball crossed the goal line and into the NCAA record books once again Saturday with his 79th career touchdown.

A 17-yard toss on first down handed the Badgers to a 14-7 lead against Penn State in the first quarter. Ball had already rushed for 28 yards on 4 carries.

Ball's 18th touchdown of the season broke the career mark previously held by Travis Prentice of Miami (Ohio). Prentice scored 78 touchdowns from 1996-1999.

After tying Barry Sanders' NCAA record for single-season touchdowns as a junior last season, Ball now has set a new NCAA record. And it was quick. In the final regular season game, Wisconsin's running back has broken Travis Prentice's record for the most career touchdowns in NCAA history.

And considering the tone and tenor of the Penn State game so far, it isn't impossible for the Ball to get the record for most career rushing touchdowns, where he's currently tied with Prentice.

Ball entered the game with 1,417 rushing yards and a 5.0 yards-per-carry average. Both numbers are well below his numbers in 2011, when he was named a Heisman Trophy finalist after rushing for 1,923 yards (6.3 per carry) and 33 touchdowns. But this year, Ball has endured an offseason assault that left him with a concussion, as well as another concussion in the Week 4 game against UTEP. Wisconsin has also dealt with a multitude of issues elsewhere in the offense, most notably shaky early-season line play that led to the firing of first-year coach Mike Markuson after two weeks.

But all congratulations go out to him. The record is his.