BTN.com staff, December 9, 2011
After being named one of the five finalist or the 2011 Heisman Trophy earlier this week, Wisconsin running back Montee Ball won the Chicago Tribune's Silver Football Awards as the best player in the Big Ten. He finished ahead of teammate Russel Wilson and Michigan State's Kirk Cousins.
| YEAR | HEISMAN WINNER, SCHOOL, POS. |
| 2006 | Troy Smith Ohio State QB |
| 2001 | Eric Crouch Nebraska QB |
| 1999 | Ron Dayne Wisconsin RB |
| 1997 | Charles Woodson Michigan DB/WR |
| 1995 | Eddie George Ohio State RB |
| 1991 | Desmond Howard Michigan WR |
| 1983 | Mike Rozier Nebraska RB |
| 1975 | Archie Griffin Ohio State RB |
| 1974 | Archie Griffin Ohio State RB |
| 1973 | John Cappelletti Penn State RB |
| 1972 | Johnny Rodgers Nebraska WR |
| 1955 | Howard Cassady Ohio State HB |
| 1954 | Alan Ameche Wisconsin FB |
| 1950 | Vic Janowicz Ohio State HB |
| 1944 | Les Horvath Ohio State QB/HB |
| 1941 | Bruce Smith Minnesota HB |
| 1940 | Tom Harmon Michigan HB |
| 1939 | Nile Kinnick Iowa HB |
| 1935 | Jay Berwanger Chicago HB |
The vote wasn?t even close, the Tribune reported, as the Badgers back was named on all 11 eligible ballots. Coaches cannot vote for their own players.
Read the full story from the Chicago Tribune here.
Going into Monday night's Heisman Trophy finalist announcement, unsure that he would be named a finalist.
"You have your doubts," Ball told the Associated Press. "I'll honestly tell you what I was thinking, I was like, `I have to make it, I have to make it. I had a great season.' But then I also had my doubts, saying maybe I didn't do good enough. But thank God I made it." Read the full AP story here.
For more on Ball, check out Ball's season and career stats and dive into our Ball video archive packed with highlights and interviews.
And find much more on Ball on his player page at UWBadgers.com. And don't forget: The Wisconsin running back is on Twitter. He's @M_Ball28.
What did he tweet around lunchtime this Friday?
