ESPN College Football

MADISON, Wis. -- Reeling after back-to-back losses took them out of the national championship picture a month ago, running back Montee Ball and Wisconsin (No. 16 BCS, No. 15 AP) have rallied for a spot in the Big Ten title game and a shot at the Rose Bowl.

And as Ball makes a run at the NCAA's single-season touchdown record, the Badgers just might be grooming a late-blooming Heisman Trophy contender.

Ball scored four more touchdowns and Wisconsin routed Penn State (No. 19 BCS, No. 20 AP) 45-7 on Saturday. With the win, Wisconsin will play Big Ten Legends division winner Michigan State in Indianapolis next Saturday.

"We had a group of men in our room that we knew would take one day at a time to get to where we wanted to be," Badgers coach Bret Bielema said. "They started on a process to get through the last four weeks. Bottom line: We won a trophy today to earn a way to Indianapolis and can't wait to get there."

Wisconsin went into the season promoting quarterback Russell Wilson for the Heisman, but recently added a push for Ball. Ball has scored 34 touchdowns this season for the Badgers (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten), the second-most in a single season in NCAA history. Barry Sanders holds the record, scoring 39 for Oklahoma State in 11 games in the 1988 season.

Can Ball break it?

"Whatever the offensive line wants," Ball said. "If they want me to get there, then I'll get there. But I'm really looking forward to that, it's an entire offensive achievement, it's going to be a great feeling if I do break it."

He finished with 156 yards on 25 carries.

The Nittany Lions (9-3, 6-2) came into the game hoping to salvage something from a season dwarfed by scandal. They took an early 7-0 lead but quickly unraveled, falling behind 28-7 by halftime.

Penn State interim coach Tom Bradley was frustrated by turnovers and poor tackling -- but insists that his team deserves to go to a bowl game despite a scandal that has tainted the entire program.

"They didn't have anything to do with it," Bradley said. "They weren't involved in any way. And I think they deserve an opportunity to play in a bowl."

The Nittany Lions came into Saturday's game still reeling in the wake of child sex abuse charges against former Nittany Lions assistant Jerry Sandusky, which led to turmoil on campus and the end of coach Joe Paterno's reign at the school.

For now, Bradley is giving his players the week off.

"I think a week away from everybody won't hurt us," Bradley said.

Although anything that happens on a football field pales in comparison to the allegations against Sandusky, Nittany Lions players caught in the middle of it all still hoped to rally the team for a shot at the Rose Bowl. They won at Ohio State last week, giving them a chance going into Saturday's game.

But after taking an early lead, the Nittany Lions just gave too many chances to the Badgers' high-octane offense led by Ball and Wilson.

Wisconsin was again without starting center Peter Konz, but it didn't seem to matter. Wilson threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns, flustering the Nittany Lions' defense by slipping away from tackling attempts all afternoon.

"We've been facing quarterbacks like that all year," Penn State defensive back Drew Astorino said. "But he's obviously phenomenal at what he does. When we didn't have good coverage, he'd complete a pass."

Wilson has thrown a touchdown pass in 36 straight games, tying the NCAA record held by former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell -- who is now a backup for the Green Bay Packers.

The Nittany Lions started strong, taking an 7-0 lead on a pair of big mistakes by the Badgers.

Wisconsin had Penn State stopped, but a Wisconsin player ran into Nittany Lions punter Anthony Fera to give up a first down on a penalty. Four plays later, Matt McGloin found Curtis Drake wide open -- no Badgers defensive back was within 10 yards -- near the end zone for a 44-yard touchdown.

The Badgers answered with a heavy dose of Ball on a 10-play, 76-yard drive that ended with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Jared Abbrederis.

McGloin then threw an interception to Wisconsin safety Shelton Johnson, giving the ball back to the Badgers near midfield. Wilson marched Wisconsin into the red zone, Ball scored a 1-yard touchdown and Wisconsin took a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Wilson then left Nittany Lions defenders grasping at air on a drive late in the second quarter. With the Badgers facing third-and-7, Wilson slipped away from pressure and ran for a first down. Later in the drive, Wilson broke a handful of tackles on a 19-yard scramble to give Wisconsin first-and-goal at the 5. Ball scored a 2-yard touchdown two plays later, and Wisconsin took a 21-7 lead.

Penn State then fumbled a kickoff and Wilson drove the Badgers again, finishing with a 4-yard touchdown to Nick Toon.

Toon was wearing jersey No. 87 in tribute to his father, former Badgers and New York Jets wide receiver Al Toon.

Penn State running back Silas Redd fumbled early in the third quarter and the Badgers recovered near midfield.

Wilson marched the Badgers into the red zone, Ball scored his third touchdown of the day from 9 yards out and Wisconsin led 35-7.

Ball added an 18-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.