Montee Ball Leaves Wisconsin-UTEP Game With Head Injury

Sep 22, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball (28) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the UTEP Miners at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Just when Montee Ball and the Badgers seemed to finally be getting their act together, this has to happen. Ball leaves the game against UTEP after suffering a head injury diving into the end zone for a touchdown. The official report says Ball is done for the day.

Big bummer for Ball, who after struggling to find holes for three weeks finally started seeing some daylight. A few plays before his TD dive he broke off one of his best runs of the season, running through a huge gap, juking a UTEP defender and delivering a stiff-arm to another. But Ball’s day is done and it will be James White and Melvin Gordon from here on out.

The head injury is concerning enough by itself, but of course this isn’t Ball’s first of the year. He suffered a concussion during his assault a couple weeks before camp started and was held out of the first few practices. One concussion is bad but multiple head injuries in a short span of time can suggest a susceptibility. How will this affect Ball’s draft status down the road?

That’s something to think about later. For now, there’s relief that the Badger offense is finally moving the ball with Joel Stave at QB, Jared Abbrederis back at receiver and the offensive line looking somewhat better.

Follow Badger of Honor on Twitter for links, in-game updates and general amusement.
Want to blog about the Badgers? Fill out the blogger application and join the team. Serious homers, negative types, tape wonks and general wack-jobs all welcome.