DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Ohio State back-up quarterback Antonio Henton is suspended from the team but will be allowed to practice while he awaits his court date on a charge of soliciting for prostitution.

The redshirt freshman was arrested Monday night after allegedly offering an undercover female police officer $20 for sex. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in Franklin County Municipal Court on Oct. 15.

OSU coach Jim Tressel said Henton will rejoin the Buckeyes next week as a member of the scout team but won't play in games until the matter is resolved.

Asked why he's allowing Henton to practice, Tressel said: "I just think it's the right thing to do. He's part of our family. You wouldn't toss somebody out of your house. You'd still have him be part of family activities."

Tressel said he's not overly concerned with how the public will perceive his decision.

"I don't want to say I don't care, but I care a lot about Antonio," Tressel said. "I'm basing my decision on how much I care about him."

Freshman LB cleared

Linebacker Jermale Hines was declared eligible by the NCAA this week after sitting out the first four games because of an academic issue.

The Cleveland Glenville product wowed the coaches during the preseason but hasn't been allowed to practice since Aug. 30.

"I was amazed at how he picked up what we were doing on defense," Tressel said.

Homan set to return

Sophomore linebacker Ross Homan, who sat out the Northwestern game last week with a toe injury, is expected to see limited action against Minnesota on Saturday.

OSU is notoriously tight-lipped about injuries. And when Tressel was asked for specifics on Homan's ailment, he joked, "(It's somewhere) below the brain."

Remark dismissed

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier gave Tressel a dig last week, telling reporters he voted upcoming foe LSU No. 1 and quickly adding, "And I'm not pulling a Jim Tressel, either."

The OSU coach caused a stir last year when he said he voted Texas No. 1 in his poll before the teams met, only to find out that a staffer who actually filled out the ballot ranked the Longhorns second.

After saying he hadn't heard Spurrier's crack, Tressel shrugged and said, "Woody (Hayes) used to say, 'Whether they're talking good or bad, keep 'em talking.' "

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.