Badgers' Ball, Borland on watch lists

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball is looking to bring home more hardware this season.

Ball was named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding collegiate player of the year.  Ball is one of 65 players, including 30 running backs and eight players from the Big Ten, in the running for the prize.

Ball returns to Wisconsin for his senior season after leading the nation in rushing (1,923 yards) and touchdowns (39), the latter mark tying Barry Sanders' NCAA record.  Ball was also a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, and claimed the Graham-George Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award and also was named the inaugural winner of the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year Award.

Junior linebacker Chris Borland is also on a national preseason watch list.

Borland is on the preseason list for the Bednarik Award, given annually to the collegiate defensive player of the year.  Borland was also on the Bednarik preseason watch list at the beginning of last season.

The junior Badger finished last season with 143 tackles, second in the Big Ten only to his teammate, Mike Taylor.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik awards will be announced October 29, and the three finalists for each award will be unveiled Novevmber 19. The winners of the 2012 Maxwell and Bednarik awards will be announced on December 6.