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Badgers' Ball repeats as top running back

PARK RIDGE, ILL. — Career touchdown leader Montee Ball of Wisconsin was selected the Big Ten's top running back for the second straight year and was a first-team all-conference pick by both the coaches and media.

The announcement Monday came two days after he became the NCAA's all-time leader in touchdowns. He set the record with his 79th TD when he scored on a 17-yard run Saturday against Penn State.

With 1,528 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns this season, it was hardly a surprise that the coaches and media both picked Ball. They also went with conference rushing leader Le'Veon Bell of Michigan State (1,648 yards), but they were split at quarterback.

In addition to Ball, Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis (wide receiver), Rick Wagner (offensive tackle), Jacob Pedersen (tight end), Walworth Big Foot High graduate Travis Frederick (center) and Chris Borland (linebacker) and Mike Taylor (linebacker) earned first-team honors from either the coaches or media.

Pedersen was voted as the conference's top tight end.

The media went with Ohio State's Braxton Miller and the coaches choosing Nebraska's Taylor Martinez. Miller got the top QB award.

The coaches and media also agreed on the top receivers, going with Penn State's Allen Robinson and Abbrederis at receiver.

Rounding out the first team on offense for the coaches was Penn State's Matt Stankiewitch at center; Michigan's Patrick Omameh, Nebraska's Spencer Long and Penn State's John Urschel at guard; Michigan's Taylor Lewan and Wagner at tackle; Pedersen at tight end; and Northwestern's Jeff Budzien at kicker.

On defense, the coaches went with Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins and John Simon along with Jordan Hill of Penn State and Purdue's Kawann Short on the line; Michigan State's Max Bullough, Penn State's Michael Mauti and Borland at linebacker; Iowa's Micah Hyde, Michigan State's Johnny Adams and Darqueze Dennard along with Ohio State's Bradley Roby at defensive back; and Michigan State's Mike Sadler at punter.

Rounding out the first-team picks on offense by the media was Frederick at center; Long and Ohio State's Andrew Norwell at guard; Lewan and Wagner at tackle; Penn State's Kyle Carter at tight end; and Nebraska's Brett Maher at kicker.

On defense, the media selected Nebraska's Eric Martin, Simon, Hill and Short on the line; Ohio State's Ryan Shazier, Mauti and Taylor at linebacker; Hyde, Nebraska's Daimion Stafford; Ohio State's Travis Howard and Roby at defensive back; and Michigan's Will Hagerup at punter.

Other individual award winners along with Pedersen were Robinson (receiver), Lewan (offensive lineman), Simon (defensive lineman), Mauti (linebacker), Hyde (defensive back), Maher (kicker) and Hagerup (punter).