Wisconsin running back Montee Ball says that he'll be fine, but apparently, it's not as soon as anyone in Madison would like.
The NCAA's single-season record holder for touchdowns suffered a concussion when he was the victim of an unprovoked assault early Wednesday morning, according to the school's Sports Medicine department.
Beat writer Tom Mulhern of the Wisconsin State Journal reported the news on his Twitter account (@TomMulhernWSJ), writing, "Badgers Sports Medicine confirms Montee Ball suffered concussion, facial injuries. No timetable for return."
Ball, a 5-foot-11, 212-pound senior from Wentzville, Mo., ran for 1,923 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2011, and added 24 receptions for 306 yards and another six scores. His 39 touchdowns tied the NCAA single-season record for touchdowns, and with 18 scores in 2012, Ball would become the NCAA's all-time touchdown leader.
An injury means that that pursuit could be delayed, but Wisconsin has more than enough breathing room to absorb the loss. There are no world-beaters on the Badgers' non-conference schedule, which includes UNI, Oregon State, Utah State and UTEP, and with both Penn State and Ohio State ineligible for the Big Ten title game due to NCAA sanctions, the Badgers are all but guaranteed a spot in that contest.
Wisconsin is scheduled to begin the 2012 season against UNI, a team from the Championship Subdivision, on September 1.
