Timberland Grad Leads Wisconsin to Victory

For University of Wisconsin junior tailback back Montee Ball, less is definitely more.    

Ball, a 2009 graduate of , scored four touchdowns on Thursday night to lead the Badgers to a 51-17 win over UNLV in a nationally-televised contest in Madison.    

The multi-talented Ball lost 28 pounds in the off-season, to match his uniform number. He returned to the field Thursday a quicker, faster runner. The weight loss allowed the sleek Ball to zip through the UNLV secondary throughout most of the contest.    

"I felt like I moved a lot better and I was able to make better cuts," Ball told reporters after the game.    

Ball scored twice in the first 6:48 to give Wisconsin a 13-0 lead. He caught a 4-yard scoring strike from quarterback Russell Wilson on the first possession and then rambled 22 yards for a TD on the second drive.    

The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Ball also scored on 1-yard runs in the second and third quarters as the 11th-ranked Badgers won going away.    

"We went out there and got the job done,'" Ball said.    

Ball carried 10 times for 63 yards and caught two passes for 67 yards.    

Ball scored an area-best 41 touchdowns during his senior season at Timberland.