By Gary Klein (Los Angeles Times) —
Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel will have his sweater vest, but he will be without his Beanie.

Tressel took steps to end two weeks of suspense by announcing that running back Chris “Beanie” Wells would not play for the fifth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday against top-ranked USC.
Wells, who rushed for 1,609 yards and scored 15 touchdowns last season, suffered a foot injury on Aug. 30 in Ohio State’s season-opening victory over Youngstown State. He did not play last week against Ohio and his status had changed almost daily since.

“He’s been getting treatment 15 times a day,” Tressel said. “I guess if looks could kill he fought me. I just told the team because it’s important our guys know what we thought we should do.”

Whether USC believes it remains to be seen.

Trojans Coach Pete Carroll has maintained from the start that Wells would likely overcome the injury and play against the Trojans.

Tressel said early in the week that 6-foot-1, 237-pound Wells would play, but he downgraded his status to doubtful on Thursday. Ohio State is expected to turn to redshirt freshman Dan Herron, senior Maurice Wells and sophomore Brandon Saine in Wells’ absence.

Carroll could not be reached for comment.

Herron rushed for 50 yards in 12 carries in the Buckeyes’ 26-14 victory over Ohio. Maurice Wells gained 48 yards in nine carries and Saine ran for 15 yards in five carries.

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