Former Wisconsin Badgers tailback Montee Ball given one of college football's highest honors

 

Montee Ball rushed for 5,140 yards and 77 touchdowns in his college career at Wisconsin, setting numerous records along the way.

 

Benjamin Worgull

Dec 9, 2025

Montee Ball (28) scores a touchdown getting past Nebraska's Andrew Green (11) during the second half as the University of Wisconsin earned a 70-31 win over Nebraska in the 2012 Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on December 1, 2012. | Rick Wood / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

 

For likely the final time in his career, Montee Ball got to shine on one of college football's biggest stages.

Finding out in January he would be selected by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College football Hall of Fame to be in the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class, Ball officially took his place in the Hall during the NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

"It's such an honor just to play for a wonderful University, a wonderful athletic program," Ball said at his induction press conference. "Of course it's buying into the system. We had a wonderful coach at the time, Bret Bielema, and just literally listen to his philosophy, understanding the guys that he wanted to put on the team, put the puzzle together, and, of course, run the football."

https://x.com/BadgerFootball/status/1998459481903059221?s=20

In a post on social media, Bielema called Ball one of the best players he's "ever had the honor to coach." In reality, it was also one of Bielema's best recruiting finds.

In the fall of 2017, the buzz in the St. Louis region when it came to tailback was centered around Ronnie Wingo, a 6-2 back who had been clocked as fast as 10.78 in the 100 meters during high school. Wingo (who eventually committed to Arkansas) was generating most of the attention in the 2009 class, making Ball fly slightly under the radar in that region.

Rushing for over 3,000 yards (tops in the state) and 32 touchdowns his junior season, Ball got a host of junior day invitations to places like Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, the latter giving him his first scholarship offer and making him a high priority. Even as more offers and interest came in, the Tigers appeared to be the top school for Ball heading into Summer 2008.

Holding a one-day camp at Lindenwood University in Missouri, Wisconsin got a close look at Ball and pulled the trigger. Recruited by then-defensive coordinator Dave Doeren, Ball quickly fell in love with Wisconsin and the opportunities he had within the UW offense. Taking a visit less than three weeks after he was first offered, Ball committed shortly thereafter.

https://x.com/BretBielema/status/1998405808732676192?s=20

Helping Wisconsin win three-straight Big Ten titles, Ball was a two-time Big Ten Running Back of the Year, the 2011 Big Ten offensive player of the year, a consensus All-American and left college as the NCAA record holder in rushing (77), total touchdowns (83) and points scored in a single season (236).

He still holds the latter record, as well as being the only tailback to rush for 100 yards in three consecutive Rose Bowls.

"It was such a privilege to play with such a wonderful offensive line," Ball said. "Going into the Big Ten Championship game, understanding if we win it, we get to Pasadena. We understood that we didn't want to get to the finish line and stop, so we wanted to run through it."

The success for Ball took time. Coming to the program as the all-time leading rusher and scorer in the state of Missouri (8,222 yards and 107 TDs), Ball had a non-descript 2009 season that turned into a slow start to 2010, including totaling just 219 yards in the first seven games. However, Ball scoring the game-winning touchdown in a critical road win at Iowa turned his career around.

Breaking the 125-yards barrier the final five games of the season, Ball became a household name the next year with 1,933 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also caught six scores, tying Barry Sanders for most touchdowns in an FBS season, and made him a 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist.

Ball returned for his senior season and, despite suffering an off-the-field concussion to slow the start to his season, delivered 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns to win the 2012 Doak Walker Award.

"In order to improve on the football field, i must study more tape, i must work out harder, I must ruin faster and get better," Ball said. "That's what I did."

A total of 17 former University of Wisconsin players or coaches have been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame since 1955, including six in the past 25 years.

Year Inductee
1955 George Little (Coach)
1955 Dave Schreiner
1958 Harry Stuhldreher (Coach, elected as Notre Dame player)
1962 Phil King (Coach, elected as Princeton player)
1962 Pat O'Dea
1972 Robert Butler
1974 Elroy Hirsch
1975 Alan Ameche
1988 Marty Below
1993 Pat Harder
1996 Pat Richter
2010 Barry Alvarez (Coach)
2013 Ron Dayne
2016 Tim Krumrie
2019 Joe Thomas
2023 Troy Vincent
2025 Montee Ball

https://x.com/BadgerFootball/status/1998482840883732629?s=20

Big Ten puts 10 players on AP All-America first team

 

Associated Press

Dec 15, 2025, 12:11 PM ET

Four players from Ohio State Buckeyes are among 10 first-team picks from the Big Ten on the Associated Press All-America team released Monday, a group headed by repeat selection Caleb Downs of the Buckeyes and AP Player of the Year Fernando Mendoza of Indiana Hoosiers.

 

The AP has named an All-America team every year since 1925, and Notre Dame's two first-team picks this season increased its all-time lead to 87.

 

Downs, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, has made the first team each of his two seasons at Ohio State after landing on the second team as a freshman at Alabama in 2023. He is one of 12 players on the 27-man first team who did not start their careers at their current school. Downs is joined on the first team by fellow Buckeyes Jeremiah Smith, Kayden McDonald and Arvell Reese.

 

Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy over the weekend, led the top-ranked Hoosiers to a 13-0 record and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff after transferring from California. He has thrown a nation-leading 33 touchdown passes and is the catalyst of one of the most productive offenses in the country.

 

A total of 18 schools are represented on the first team, including seven of the 12 in the CFP.

 

Iowa has had at least one first-team player seven straight years and in 10 of the last 12. This is the fourth year in a row Miami, Notre Dame and Ohio State have had at least one.

 

Punter Cole Maynard gave Western Kentucky its first-ever first-team pick. Defensive lineman Landon Robinson is Navy's first since 1975, and kicker Kansei Matsuzawa is the first since 1986 for Hawaii.

 

The AP All-America team was selected by a panel of 52 college Top 25 poll voters.

 

First-team offense

Wide receiver: Makai Lemon, Southern California, junior, 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Los Angeles.

 

Wide receiver: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, sophomore, 6-3, 223, Miami Gardens, Florida.

 

Wide receiver: Skyler Bell, UConn, senior, 6-0, 185, New York.

 

Tackle: Francis Mauigoa, Miami, junior, 6-6, 335, Ili'ili, American Samoa.

 

Tackle: Spencer Fano, Utah, junior, 6-6, 308, Spanish Fork, Utah.

 

Guard: Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon, senior, 6-5, 318, Denver.

 

Guard: Beau Stephens, Iowa, senior, 6-5, 315, Blue Springs, Missouri.

 

Center: Logan Jones, Iowa, graduate, 6-3, 202, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

 

Tight end: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt, graduate, 6-4, 235, Denton, Texas.

 

Quarterback: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, junior, 6-5, 225, Miami.

 

Running back: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, junior, 6-0, 214, St. Louis.

 

Running back: Ahmad Hardy, Missouri, sophomore, 5-10, 210, Oma, Mississippi.

 

Kicker: Kansei Matsuzawa, Hawaii, senior, 6-2, 200, Tokyo.

 

All-purpose: KC Concepcion, Texas A&M, junior, 5-11, 190, Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

First-team defense

 

Edge rusher: David Bailey, Texas Tech, senior, 6-3, 250, Irvine, California.

 

Edge rusher: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M, senior, 6-2, 248, Kansas City, Missouri.

 

Interior lineman: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, junior, 6-3, 326, Suwanee, Georgia.

 

Interior lineman: Landon Robinson, Navy, senior, 6-0, 287, Fairlawn, Ohio.

 

Linebacker: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech, senior, 6-1, 235, Wichita Falls, Texas.

 

Linebacker: Arvell Reese, Ohio State, junior, 6-4, 243, Cleveland.

 

Linebacker: CJ Allen, Georgia, junior, 6-1, 235, Barnesville, Georgia.

 

Cornerback: Leonard Moore, Notre Dame, sophomore, 6-2, 195, Round Rock, Texas.

 

Cornerback: Mansoor Delane, LSU, senior, 6-0, 190, Silver Spring, Maryland.

 

Safety: Caleb Downs, Ohio State, junior, 6-0, 205, Hoschton, Georgia.

 

Safety: Bishop Fitzgerald, Southern California, senior, 5-11, 205, Woodbridge, Virginia.

 

Defensive back: Jakari Foster, Louisiana Tech, senior, 6-0, 211, Piedmont, Alabama.

 

Punter: Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky, senior, 6-1, 180, Mooresville, North Carolina.

 

Iowa's Kirk Ferentz to coach 28th season with Hawkeyes in '26

 

Adam Rittenberg

Dec 3, 2025, 03:57 PM ET

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, the nation's longest-tenured coach in the FBS, will return in 2026 for a 28th season with the Hawkeyes.

 

Ferentz, 70, confirmed his expected return Wednesday, telling reporters he has the support of his wife, Mary, and is in good health. In September, Ferentz surpassed Ohio State's Woody Hayes for most coaching wins at a Big Ten school.

 

He guided Iowa to an 8-4 record during the regular season, his fifth consecutive season of eight or more wins. Ferentz is 212-128 overall at Iowa, where he was hired in late 1998.

 

"I don't envision stopping in the near future," he said.

 

Ferentz is under contract through the 2029 season and told the Des Moines Register this summer that he expects to sign another contract at some point.

 

Iowa has appeared in 21 bowl games under Ferentz, and will learn this year's bowl destination Sunday.

 

Iowa's Kirk Ferentz Earns National Recognition

 

Nearly two months after his historic win, Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz has been nationally recognized.

Jordon Lawrenz | November 2, 2025

 

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Atlanta is the place all college football coaches and players want to be. The Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is home to the most iconic individuals and moments the game has seen. Now, Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz has his name etched in history.

One of the main things that Iowa set out to do this season was make Ferentz the all-time winningest coach in B1G history. He did just that, breaking the record on September 13 when Iowa destroyed UMass, 47-7.

Iowa's big win wasn't only a confidence booster after their Iowa State loss, but it helped Ferentz cross off something he likely never expected. Now, that game ball and a note are in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Kirk Ferentz Recognized in Atlanta

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Not only is the game ball able to be seen by everyone in Atlanta, but the College Football Hall of Fame had Ferentz sign it as well. Along with his signature is an inscription, "Go Hawks!"

His section at the HOF reads "BIG TIME", in nod to his historic Big 10 achievement. Ferentz's record may be untouchable as the modern era of college football doesn't see the longevity of someone like him. Iowa has had him in their back pocket since 1999 and they're going to ride with Ferentz as long as they possibly can.

Iowa's head coach hasn't always been met with the most positive comments, but he's been successful for over 20 years. He turned around a one-win program to a team that makes bowl games each and every year. They might not have the nation's most exciting offense, but they're constantly in the B1G title picture and Ferentz is a huge part of that.

Ferentz's Iconic Moment

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While it wasn't a game winning field goal or last second touchdown that broke the record for Ferentz, he wouldn't have had it any other way. The 70-year-old had a stress free game as the Hawkeyes dominated the Minutemen for a 40-point win, their biggest of the season.

Iowa has lost just one game since then, 20-15, to No. 11 Indiana. Now, the Hoosiers are ranked No. 2 and are right on Ohio State's tail. That loss is nothing to be upset about, though it shows just how competitive and prepared Ferentz always is. This season, Iowa is 6-2 (4-1) with both of their losses being by a combined eight points. Had Indiana not taken a safety as time expired, they would've only lost that game by three.

https://www.si.com/college/iowa/football/iowa-hawkeyes-leverage-themselves-national-ranking

Two-Sport World Champion: Stephen Neal’s Hall of Fame Journey

 

Most athletes never become the best in the world at their sport, but Stephen Neal accomplished the feat in both Wrestling and Football.

October 17, 2025

Few athletes in the history of Cal State Bakersfield – or anywhere, for that matter – have achieved what Stephen Neal did. A two-time NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion, four-time All-American, and winner of the 1999 Dan Hodge Trophy, Neal dominated collegiate wrestling before going on to win the World Wrestling Championships.

Stephen Neal has his hand raised by the referee at the NCAA Championships.

Yet, what makes his story even more extraordinary is what came next: a decade-long NFL career and three Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, all without ever having played college football.

On Oct. 25, Neal will take his rightful place among the inaugural inductees into the CSUB Athletics Hall of Fame, a recognition of a career – and a life – defined by belief, resilience, and relentless work.

“My time as an athlete at Cal State Bakersfield meant a lot to me. I was able to get an education and be embraced by the community of Bakersfield. I have a lot of really good memories from that time. It wasn’t easy. We had a lot of hard classes. I learned that if I put my mind to something, I can accomplish anything and that helped later on in my life. Everything I attacked, I thought I could achieve because of my time at CSUB.”

- Stephen Neal

Stephen Neal's headshot from his time at Cal State Bakersfield.

Neal’s record at CSUB remains legendary. His 156 career victories and 71 pins are still school records. In 1999, after capturing his second consecutive national championship, Neal earned wrestling’s highest individual honor – the Dan Hodge Trophy, the sport’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. He capped that same year with a gold medal at the Pan American Games and a world title at the World Wrestling Championships. In less than a year, Neal had conquered every level of wrestling. 

Stephen Neal faces down a foe on the mat, ready to go in his wrestling stance.

But true to his nature, he wasn’t finished. Despite not playing football since high school, Neal decided to pursue an NFL dream that most would have dismissed as impossible. In 2001, he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent. By 2002, he was on the 53-man roster. Over the next 10 seasons, Neal would become a mainstay on the Patriots’ offensive line, protecting Tom Brady and helping the team capture three Super Bowl titles (2001, 2004, 2005).

Stephen Neal (#61, center) protects Tom Brady (#12, left) during a game with the New England Patriots.

“I learned that if you want something, you have to fight for it. It was always a fight at Cal State Bakersfield. We didn’t have the biggest budget or the shiny toys, but we fought. It doesn’t matter if people believe in you; if you believe in yourself and you’re willing to fight for it, you can get it.”

- Stephen Neal

That fighter’s mentality was evident from his first days in Bakersfield. CSUB alumnus and wrestling coach Darryl Pope recalled that when Neal was at his best, he was easygoing and lighthearted.

“If Stephen wasn’t joking, if he wasn’t laughing, he wasn’t talking, and he wasn’t relaxed, he wasn’t ready. That’s what made him tick,” Pope said. “He never made the Pro Bowl, but my response to that is this: Stephen Neal, having played no college football, walks on and makes the New England Patriots, arguably the greatest franchise in NFL history…When Coach Belichick says ‘Steve, I want you to play right here at Right Guard and protect Tom Brady for the next 10 years,’ I don’t care what anybody says—that’s All-Pro.”

Stephen Neal (left center) poses with CSUB coaches Darryl Pope (left) and T.J. Kerr (right) while wearing New England Patriots hats.

Neal’s influence extended beyond statistics and accolades. His teammate and friend Coby Wright remembers him as both a fierce competitor and a humble man of faith. “Off the mat, Steve wasn’t anything like he was on the mat…He was great at his sport, but I feel like the legacy he leaves is his character and the relationships he has with his wife, his family, his kids. That’s what’s most important to him. His main objective in life is to show people about Christ and how he feels that affected him.”

For Wright, Neal’s combination of fearlessness and humility set him apart. “Steve had no fear, and he didn’t have that fear of being tired that a lot of wrestlers have. His heart was in it, and you can’t do that well without believing in your coach’s philosophy.”

Stephen Neal (left) competes against future WWE star Brock Lesnar (right) in the finals of the 1999 NCAA Championships. Neal would win his second-straight national title.

Neal’s faith in his coaches – T.J. Kerr, Darryl Pope, and Rich Bailey – and in the CSUB program became a defining part of his journey: “These guys shaped me and molded me into who I became. Without my teammates, I’m still that wrestler that took fourth at State.” 

Even after his retirement from professional football, Neal’s connection to wrestling and to Bakersfield remains strong. He continues to credit the sport for shaping him, not only physically but as a person as well. “The sport of wrestling gave me cuts, cauliflower ear. It shaped me. But the biggest thing is our camaraderie and how we went to battle every single day. We fought so hard, but at the end of the day, we are best friends still.” 

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When Neal learned of his Hall of Fame selection, he saw it not just as personal validation, but as recognition for everyone who helped him along the way: “Being inducted into the [CSUB Athletics] Hall of Fame is a very special thing for me. I worked really hard, and to get the recognition that people see how hard I worked – and the people that helped me get there, getting them honored as well – is very special.” 

From the wrestling mats of Bakersfield to the Super Bowl sidelines of New England, Stephen Neal’s story is a testament to perseverance, humility, and the belief that no dream is too far-fetched when you’re willing to fight for it. His journey embodies the spirit of the Roadrunners – gritty, hard-working, and forever faithful to the lessons learned on that Blue and Gold mat.

Those interested in celebrating the career and legacy of Neal on Oct. 25 can purchase tickets for the Induction Ceremony at the link below.

Purchase Tickets

https://events.csub.edu/e/2025-cal-state-bakersfield-athletics-hall-of-fame/

Iowa Hawkeyes: only FBS team that’s committed fewer than 19 penalties in 2025

 

https://x.com/BenScottStevens/status/1978861531937775991

Vikings say the quiet part out loud about T.J. Hockenson’s rare skillset

 

Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson | David Berding/GettyImages

By Anthony Miller | Sep 24, 2025

For the modern-day tight end, it has almost become more important to be a great pass catcher than a blocker. Some players, like Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, have the whole package.

Hockenson has been great this season when it comes to being a receiving tight end, recording nine receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown. Pro Football Focus has graded him as the second-best tight end in the NFL out of 28, with an overall grade of 77.3. His receiving grade is 72.7, which is good for fifth.

Everyone knows the kind of impact he can make in the passing game, especially with a first-time starting quarterback in J.J. McCarthy and first-year Viking, Carson Wentz, playing the position. Tight ends can be seen as security blankets, but there's another aspect to his game that is just as good, if not better.

Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson has been elite as a blocker this season

During the Vikings' media availability on Tuesday, Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was asked about his thoughts on Hockenson as a blocker. Phillips could not stop gushing over the tight end for his selfishness as a teammate.

"T.J.'s been phenomenal in the run game. It's one of those things where you're trying to get your best players the football, and it was nice to see him get some catches in that game.

You kind of talk to guys like 'This will be a good play for you. We're working on this.' His attitude about the whole thing is, 'Hey, I just want to win and I'll do anything it takes for us to win football games.' That's the kind of player he is."

This was evident with Hockenson's impact in the running game in last week's 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, as Phillips praised Hockenson for what he does on outside zone runs. The Vikings' offensive coordinator pointed out Hockenson's ability to go block cornerbacks and stick on them to break out big runs.

Minnesota had success on the ground against Cincinnati as they rushed 31 times for 169 yards and two touchdowns. The team averaged 5.5 yards per carry, with a lot of those runs coming on the outside off the edge of the tackle.

It's rare in today's game to find a tight end that can do it all, and after all the offseason chatter and his invisible act through the first two games with Hockenson, he's more than proven his worth on the team. He could start getting back to a Pro Bowl-caliber season that Vikings fans expected from him.

 

https://thevikingage.com/minnesota-vikings-say-quiet-part-out-loud-tj-hockenson-skillset