Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells is not taking contact or putting pressure on his injured right foot but still holds out hope of playing in the Buckeyes' next game.

Team officials and doctors will huddle within the next day or two to decide if and when Wells, a Heisman Trophy candidate will play next. The second-ranked Buckeyes play Ohio University Saturday, then travel to take on No. 1 Southern California Sept. 13.

"Is he injured or does he just have some pain he can play through?" running backs coach Dick Tressel said yesterday. "We've got a long way to go, we're counting on playing a lot of football this fall. We're going to be smart with his rehab."

Wells has an injury at the base of his big toe on his right foot, said Tressel, the older brother of coach Jim Tressel. Wells has difficulty putting pressure on the foot and has not participated in full practices this week, Tressel said.

Wells was injured in the third quarter of Ohio State's 43-0 victory Saturday against Youngstown State. He writhed on the ground and was eventually helped off the field. He returned to watch the final few minutes, wearing a protective black boot on his foot.

LSU

The Tigers postponed their game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana's capital city of Baton Rouge far worse than anticipated. The university made the decision after having a full day to get a handle on damage to the stadium and the community, much of which is expected to be without power into next week. The seventh-ranked Tigers' game against the Trojans will be played Nov. 15.

Florida State

Christian Ponder will start at quarterback for the Seminoles in its season opener against Western Carolina. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher selected Ponder over senior Drew Weatherford, who has started 33 games for the Seminoles, and sophomore D'Vontrey Richardson. Ponder, a sophomore, has thrown 18 passes in college.

Cincinnati

Former quarterback Ben Mauk lost his final appeal to the NCAA for more playing time. Mauk was turned down by the NCAA's reinstatement committee, the final step in trying to get another season of eligibility. It was the fifth time that he was turned down by the NCAA staff or its reinstatement committee.

Michigan

Running back Kevin Grady will play for the Wolverines against Miami (Ohio) this week, ending a one-game suspension. Grady was suspended before the season began. He was arrested July 2 in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming for driving with a blood-alcohol level at 0.281 percent, about three-and-a-half times the state's legal limit.