Wells injury overshadows Ohio State's easy victory

Last update: August 30, 2008 - 6:21 PM

COLUMBUS, OHIO - It was as if a stadium full of more than 105,000 people was suddenly empty.

An eerie silence descended on Ohio Stadium when Ohio State's Heisman Trophy prospect Chris (Beanie) Wells went down with a foot injury in the third quarter of the No. 2 Buckeyes' season-opening 43-0 victory over Youngstown State on Saturday.

"First and foremost, you really can't replace Beanie," wide receiver Brian Robiskie said.

Wells was hurt in the third quarter after taking a handoff from Todd Boeckman on first-and-goal at the 2. His feet slipped underneath him as he planted to make a cut, the ball rolling free as he hit the turf.

He was helped off the field, returning to the bench in the fourth quarter wearing a boot on his right foot.

"I may have rolled it or planted wrong a play or two before," Wells said through Ohio State spokeswoman Shelly Poe. "Something just didn't feel right. Then I think I felt a pop. But the X-rays are OK, so we'll see how it feels in a day or two."

Before the injury, Wells ran for 111 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown run. Boeckman tossed two touchdown passes and freshman quarterback phenom Terrelle Pryor looked solid in his college debut, running 18 yards for a touchdown.

Wells is on most Heisman short lists, rushing for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago as a sophomore despite several nagging injuries.

"Beanie's a tough guy," Boeckman said. "I know we're all pulling for him. He's gone to the doctors, and he'll do whatever he can to help this team out."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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