COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells will not play when the third-ranked Buckeyes take on Ohio Saturday.
Wells injured his right foot in last weekend’s 43-0 victory over Youngstown State. He has not practiced with the team this week and has spent much of the time wearing a protective boot.
“Beanie won’t go this week,” Tressel said Thursday afternoon. “I feel good about his progress, but it wasn’t enough progress to practice through yesterday.”
Asked if he worries that Wells may not be available when the Buckeyes play at No. 1 Southern California on Sept. 13, Tressel added: “No, not at all. Not at all. But that’s easy to say today.”
The junior running back was considered one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy behind returning winner Tim Tebow of Florida. Despite several nagging injuries last year, Wells rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Ohio State has not allowed him to speak with reporters since he was injured, although he was quoted as saying by a team spokesman that he was relieved that X-rays had not shown any broken bones. He was seen walking between meetings at the team’s practice facility on Tuesday, carrying the protective boot while gingerly making his way in stockinged feet.
The Buckeyes will rotate Maurice Wells (who is no relation), Brandon Saine and Dan Herron at the position.
Notes
CINCINNATI: Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk testified that a foot injury prevented him from playing or even practicing at times during his freshman season in 2003 at Wake Forest, where he played before transferring to Cincinnati. Mauk should be granted a sixth year of eligibility and that the NCAA has been unwilling to listen to Mauk’s arguments, attorney Kevin Murphy told Hardin County Judge William Hart, who is overseeing the lawsuit in the town where Mauk grew up.
Hart on Thursday turned down the NCAA’s request to dismiss the case, and it was unclear when he would decide on Mauk’s request for a permanent injunction that would allow him to play for the Bearcats. NCAA attorney Linda Salfrank said athletes have a five-year window to play once they arrive on campus and that Mauk used up his time. Mauk has been turned down five times by the NCAA, including an appeal that was rejected Wednesday by the association’s reinstatement committee.
PENN STATE: A Penn State player has been kicked off the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules, and three others will miss this weekend’s game against Oregon State because of a separate, off-field issue coach Joe Paterno said. Reserve defensive back Willie Harriott is off the squad, Paterno said Thursday night on his weekly radio show.
In November, Harriott, of New Haven, Conn., was arrested for driving under the influence and speeding. Paterno also said Thursday that defensive linemen Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma, and tight end Andrew Quarless will sit out Saturday’s game against Oregon State. Paterno said he’s still gathering information on a recent off-field incident.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE: North Carolina State’s home opener against William &Mary will kickoff as scheduled, but school officials say they plan to keep an eye on Tropical Storm Hanna. The storm is expected to make landfall late Friday night or Saturday morning, and bring with it the prospect for rain and a possible thunderstorm. While athletic director Lee Fowler made adjustments for the weekend schedule with other sports, he recommended that the football game retain its original schedule.
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