Buckeyes' Wells ready for USC

Associated Press

Last update: September 10, 2008 - 7:36 AM

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Chris Wells not only plans to return to the field Saturday at USC, he wants to carry the load.

Wells told coach Jim Tressel and offensive coordinator Jim Bollman on Monday: "I'm ready to carry it 45 times."

Tressel liked hearing that but cautioned: "He's not going to carry it 45 times if he's not effective."

Wells, the 6-1, 237-pound Heisman Trophy candidate who rushed for 222 yards against Michigan last year, injured his right big toe on his 13th carry this season and missed Saturday's game against Ohio.

Though the Buckeyes gained only 162 yards on 40 carries without him, receiver Brian Hartline said Ohio State doesn't need Wells to beat top-ranked USC on Saturday.

"If you want to be a great team, you can't rely on one guy," Hartline said. "Will it help? Sure. He's a great football player who wants to compete. But one player can't define us."

Stanzi gets nod at Iowa

Iowa has settled on a starting quarterback -- and it's not the guy most thought it would be in August. Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed Tuesday that sophomore Ricky Stanzi has emerged as Iowa's No. 1 quarterback.

Stanzi, who won the job over last season's starter, junior Jake Christensen, will start Saturday when the Hawkeyes play host to rival Iowa State.

Stanzi emerged as the clear leader last week against Florida International. He threw for 162 yards and three touchdowns in less than a half of work.

Mauk loses again

Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk, who sued the NCAA after being denied a sixth season of eligibility, lost another appeal Tuesday when a judge in his hometown ruled against him. Hardin County Judge William Hart refused to grant a permanent injunction allowing Mauk to rejoin the Bearcats.

Mauk, who says he missed two seasons because of injuries, was turned down by the NCAA five times before he asked the court in Kenton, Ohio, for help.

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