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Montee Ball to stay at Wisconsin

Wisconsin Badgers' running back Montee Ball (C) scores from 3-yards while being tackled by Oregon Ducks' rover Eddie Pleasant (L) during the Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 2, 2012. UPI/Jon SooHoo
Wisconsin Badgers' running back Montee Ball (C) scores from 3-yards while being tackled by Oregon Ducks' rover Eddie Pleasant (L) during the Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 2, 2012. UPI/Jon SooHoo | License Photo

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Montee Ball, who set a Big Ten record with 38 rushing touchdowns this season, announced Thursday he would return to Wisconsin for his senior year.

"I believe that I am mentally ready (for the NFL),'' Ball said, "but I think I need to become stronger and faster and I believe another year in the program will get me to that level."

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Wisconsin won the Big Ten's first championship game this season, then fell to Oregon in the Rose Bowl to finish 11-3.

Ball became one of only five players in major college football history to reach 30 touchdowns for a season and has scored at least two touchdowns in 13 straight games -- an NCAA record.

He gained 1,759 yards on the ground during the 2011 campaign, a school record.

"Montee will be one of the top returning players in the country and I know he will thrive with that spotlight on him," Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema said during the news conference at which Ball announced his decision. "It's a credit to Montee that he is willing to accept that challenge and try and help our program continue our success."

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Ball said results of his evaluation by the NFL draft advisory board suggested he would likely be selected in the third round.

"Obviously, I wasn't expecting third round," he said. "That factored into my decision as well. Maybe by adding some weight and getting stronger and faster, maybe I can jump into the second round of maybe even the first round next year.''

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