Beanie won't let toe get in way Wells says he's ready to play despite injury. Tressel feels optimistic
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008
COLUMBUS: The most famous toe in Ohio is attached to the body of one Chris Wells ? Akron native and star running back for Ohio State.
Wells went down in the season opener against Youngstown State with what looked to be a serious injury.
It later was discovered that Wells suffered an injury to the big toe on his right foot.
After sitting out the game last week against Ohio University, Wells will likely play Saturday against No. 1 Southern Cal in the newest ''game of the century'' as dubbed by TV network hypemeisters.
Teammate and defensive end Lawrence Wilson spoke with Wells last week and Monday.
''Beanie told me he was going to play, and when Beanie says he's going to do something, he does it,'' Wilson said.
OSU coach Jim Tressel knows having a healthy Wells will help his No. 5 Buckeyes, who looked lackluster on offense against Ohio, but he also is realistic about the injury.
''Coaches, in some ways we're optimists and in other ways we're pessimists, but hopefully we're realists. I thought he ran really well yesterday,'' Tressel said. ''I think the big thing has been Tuesday and Wednesday work and will that create soreness.
''So I have a lot of confidence in our doctors and trainers and strength guys. And not only was he running well, then they put
him on the bike and wore him out. So they're trying to do all the things ? he's been in the underwater treadmill ? and anything we can do, we're doing. I feel good about him.''
Cont...