Ball makes appearance after assault

Montee Ball made his first public appearance since the Wisconsin running back was assaulted Aug. 1 near campus, speaking Sunday at Camp Randall Stadium during the Badgers' media day.

Bell made it clear that he didn't have anything to do with a fight before he was assaulted.

''I had nothing to do with it at all but with the police investigation still going on there's not much I can say,'' Ball said. ''But I can 100 percent tell you that I had nothing to do with that first fight, honestly.''

Practices had been closed all week to the media. Ball, who sustained a concussion when he was assaulted, didn't dodge any questions, including those concerning his Heisman Trophy candidacy and his physical condition heading into the season.