COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells has been given the OK to play in the showdown at No. 1 Southern California on Saturday night.

Wells, who rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago, went down with a foot injury in the second half of the fifth-ranked Buckeyes' opener against Youngstown State and did not suit up against Ohio University last week.

But coach Jim Tressel said on Tuesday that Beanie would definitely play against USC.