DaytonDailyNews.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel is more likely to wear his perfectly coiffed hair in a perm than try many bold gambles during a game, but he called for one on the opening possession against Minnesota on Saturday and hit the jackpot.

On fourth-and-6 from the OSU 40-yard line, punter A.J. Trapasso zipped around right end for an 18-yard gain, setting up a 6-yard touchdown run by Chris Wells.

But the trickery almost backfired. Trapasso dropped the snap and would have been smothered for a loss if the Buckeyes hadn't caught the Gophers setting up for a return. A timely block by Marcus Freeman took out the only defender with a chance of catching Trapasso.

Tressel also made a brash move in the second quarter with a 14-0 lead, going for a first down on fourth-and-2 from the Minnesota 36. Quarterback Todd Boeckman overthrew Ray Small on a bomb, and the Gophers took advantage of the short field by storming to the end zone.

Wells shows power

Wells didn't need to break a tackle on his opening TD, but the sophomore displayed some raw power on his second scoring plunge.

He was dragging bodies while plowing for 4 yards off left tackle, knocking safety Dominique Barber backward at the goal line.

Buckeye bits

• OSU executed a perfect reverse late in the first quarter. Small gained 37 yards to set up Wells' 4-yard TD run for a 14-0 lead.

• The Buckeyes' shaky placekicking reared its head again with a blocked extra point. It's their second botched PAT of the season, and they've also had a field goal blocked this year.

• The Gophers ripped off three first downs on their opening possession, but kicker Joel Monroe was wide right on a 42-yard field-goal attempt.