Tailback Chris “Beanie” Wells was dealing with more than just the injury to his right foot/big toe during Ohio State’s lackluster 16-3 win over visiting Purdue on Saturday.
Wells came down with the flu on Wednesday and was still feeling the effects during the game. He still managed to carry 22 times for 94 yards (4.3 yards per carry), but Purdue’s defense did a better job of bottling him up than any of the other three teams he’s faced this season.
“It’s definitely frustrating when you don’t execute as well as you can,” Wells said. “On top of that, with me being sick out there and not being completely healthy, it was just a frustrating day.
“I really wasn’t sure if I was going to play today. Yesterday I missed the team movie. After the team dinner, I went straight to the hotel and just stayed there.”
Wells admitted that he never got into the flow of the game. He never really felt comfortable on the field, despite the fact that Purdue entered play with the worst statistical defense in the Big Ten (435.8 yards allowed per game).
“I felt a little out of sorts,” Wells said. “There were times I had to go off the field because I was fatigued. But there’s nothing you can do about it. I’ve just got to rest and we’ve got to get better.”
Wells also gave an update on his much-publicized injury to his right foot/big toe.
“It is sore, but not too bad,” he said. “I know it’s going to be like this after each game. It’s not any worse though, which is good.”
Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel commented on Wells’ performance and whether the flu bug held him back a little bit.
“He missed a little bit of practice this week, but I thought he ran hard,” Tressel said. “There were some times when he broke two or three tackles on a play, and there were also some times where he couldn’t even get his feet to the line of scrimmage and he banged it in there as hard as he could. So, he did miss a little bit of practice time, but I don’t think it was significant.”
The game plan for Purdue’s defense was to sell out against the run and try and make OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor beat them with his arm.
“Their defense was definitely keying on the run,” Wells said. “They did a good job and they’re a pretty good defense. But all in all, guys need to step up. This is the Big Ten season and we’ve got to play better. That’s the bottom line.”
Wells – usually a man of few words – was asked what Ohio State’s offense needs to do in order to improve.
“We’ve got to be able to pass the ball,” he said. “Me being a running back, you’re probably not expecting me to say that. But it’s true. We’ve got to pass the ball.”
Does Wells feel that way because it will give him more running room?
“Not even to give me more room,” he said. “Just to have a better game plan. We’ve got to get the ball downfield to (Brian) Robiskie and (Brian) Hartline and all our young guys. We’re just not getting the ball to our playmakers.”
Wells also gave his reaction to the fact that OSU is last in the Big Ten in passing offense and second-to-last in total offense.
“It’s definitely a downer,” he said. “That’s something we plan to get better at this season.”
But Wells doesn’t think the lack of a good passing game puts more pressure on him to perform well.
“No, it really doesn’t put more pressure on me because I like to have the ball in my hands,” he said.
One of Wells’ closest friends on the team is fellow Akron native Lawrence Wilson who went down with an injury to his left knee against Purdue. Wells is very much concerned about OSU’s junior defensive end.
“I definitely am,” he said. “Hopefully his knee will be fine and he’ll be back out there next week.”
Ohio State (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) doesn’t have time to dwell on its offensive woes. The Buckeyes have a big game next week at Michigan State (6-1, 3-0)
“Michigan State is a great football team,” Wells said. “But I’m sure our guys are going to be ready to go up there and play our game.”
