Wells to miss Saturday's game

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel said Thursday star running back Chris "Beanie" Wells would be held out of Saturday's game against Ohio.

Wells, expected to challenge for the Heisman Trophy this season, suffered a foot injury in the Buckeyes' season-opening, 43-0 victory over Youngstown State Saturday.

Prior to the injury, Wells picked up 111 yards on 13 carries and ran 43 yards for a touchdown. It was the 10th 100-yard game of his college career.

There was concern at the time of the injury that Wells might be lost for the season, but tests showed there were no broken bones or ligament tears in the foot.

"Beanie won't go this week," Tressel said. "I feel good about his progress, but it wasn't enough progress to practice."

Ohio State will meet the University of Southern California Sept. 13 in the first major showdown of the college football season.

As a sophomore last season, Wells gained 1,609 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.