DaytonDailyNews.com

Four Ohio State players were interviewed on a teleconference Monday night, Sept. 8, and three were asked the most pressing question facing the Buckeyes these days: How's Beanie?

Quarterback Todd Boeckman could offer no new information, saying he didn't see much of injured star Beanie Wells since the running back was on the sidelines while the team was practicing.

Linebacker James Laurinaitis saw Wells testing his ailing foot, but said it's too early to say whether the Heisman candidate would be cleared for Saturday's showdown with No. 1 Southern Cal.

"From what I could tell, it seemed like he was doing great," Laurinaitis said, "but who really knows but him? We'll see how the week progresses and see how that unfolds."

Considering how feeble the offense looked in Wells' absence against Ohio University, the angst in Buckeye Land may be understandable. Boeckman passed for just 110 yards in the 26-14 come-from-behind win, and the underachieving offensive line opened few holes for the running game.

And OSU didn't exactly overwhelm Youngstown State, having been stopped repeatedly in the red zone and settling for five field goals in the 43-0 win. The Penguins, who play in the FCS (formerly Division I-AA), lost last week at South Dakota State, 40-7.

"Obviously, we expected we'd do a lot better than how we've been the last couple games," Boeckman said. "All around, everyone needs to get better. We have to watch how we did and improve on that — and that goes for the O-line, the receivers, the tight ends, everyone."

After two games, OSU is 10th in the Big Ten in total offense with an average of 383.5 yards per game. Boeckman led the league in passing efficiency last year, but is just eighth so far this season.

Although he's been under constant duress because of poor protection, the St. Henry native faulted himself for his unproductive start.

"Too many mental mistakes," he said. "I either didn't see the right coverage or the blitz coming, just little things like that."

The Buckeyes, who dropped two spots in the national polls to No. 5 this week, had a dreary time in the film room after the OU game, but the dour mood didn't last.

"We knew it'd be tough to watch the film, but we had to because we had to see our mistakes," Boeckman said. "But once that was off, we were getting fired up (for USC). We know this is one of the biggest games we'll ever be a part of."

Next game

Who: No. 5 Ohio State (2-0) at

No. 1 Southern California (1-0)

When: 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13

TV: WKEF (ABC, Ch. 22)

Radio: WING-AM (1410)