Oct. 7, 2006

DURHAM, N.H. (AP) -David Ball caught his 51st touchdown pass Saturday to break the Division I career record held by Jerry Rice and help New Hampshire defeat Richmond 27-17.

Ball, who grew up idolizing Rice, tied the record two weeks ago against Dartmouth then went two games without catching a TD.

"I'm glad it's over with. It's been a fun experience but it's been haunting me for a while," Ball said.

The record-breaker came with Richmond leading 14-13 in the third quarter.

"It definitely means more to catch it in a situation that matters," Ball said.

Quarterback Ricky Santos faked a handoff and hit Ball, who was open in the back of the end zone, with a 1-yard score with 9:26 left in the quarter.

"It was a great rout," Santos said. "It gave us a spark at the time."

Rice set the record playing for Division I-AA Mississippi Valley State from 1981-84. He went on to set NFL records of 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 197 receiving touchdowns.