MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin running back Montee Ball may have found his groove again.

Ball ran for a career-high 247 yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns in Wisconsin's 38-14 victory over Purdue on Saturday.

Ball already has set the record for career touchdowns in the Big Ten with 72, surpassing the 71-touchdown mark held by former Badgers star and 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne. He is in third place for most career touchdowns in NCAA history, six behind Travis Prentice, who scored 78 touchdowns at Miami (Ohio) from 1996-99.

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema saw little difference in Ball's game preparation, but said Monday that offensive line improvements and Ball's sharp instincts yielded results.

Wisconsin (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) has won two straight and hosts Minnesota (4-2, 0-2) on Saturday.