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Ohio State likely will be without Wells for Ohio

Sep 6, 2008 - 11:37 AM Ohio (0-1) at No. 3 Ohio State (1-0), 12:00 pm EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has listed Heisman Trophy candidate Chris "Beanie" Wells as doubtful for Saturday's contest against Ohio, the second of two tune-ups for the third-ranked Buckeyes before their showdown against Southern California.

Wells suffered a right foot injury in the third quarter of Saturday's 43-0 victory over Youngstown State. He slipped after taking a handoff from Todd Boeckman while trying to make a cut and fell to the ground writhing in pain.

The junior tailback was helped off the field, but returned to the bench in the fourth quarter wearing a boot on his foot and X-rays were negative. Wells, who ran for 111 yards against Youngstown State, did not practice Monday.

"We have great depth at the position," Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiske said. "We are fine at that position."

Ohio State (1-0) may be able to handle Ohio without Wells, who overcame a series of nagging injuries last season to rush 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns. But beating USC without him might be a different story.

If Wells is sidelined for an extended period, it may increase the work load of freshman running back Dan Herron, who only ran five times for 17 yards against Youngstown State.

"I work hard no matter what, so a guy being out isn't going to change my level of trying," Herron said. "If we have a void, though, all the running backs need to step up."

Ohio (0-1) opened its season with a 21-20 loss to Wyoming. The Bobcats led, 20-14, but allowed the Cowboys to put together a 13-play, 84-yard drive midway through the fourth quarter.