Pittman will face challenge

Tailback Antonio Pittman could be tested by high school senior Chris Wells.
AKRON (AP) -- Not even a 1,300-yard season that included big plays against Michigan and Notre Dame is enough to guarantee Ohio State tailback Antonio Pittman the starting job next season.
And the player who could take the job away from Pittman, or at least cut heavily into his playing time, is still a high school senior who won't officially sign as an Ohio State recruit until Feb. 1.
But the three-touchdown performance by Akron Garfield's Chris Wells on national television Jan. 7 in the high school All-American Bowl showed why he's a threat to take Pittman's job.
Pittman is well aware he can't slack off after the No. 4 Buckeyes completed a 10-2 season with a 34-20 victory over Notre Dame on Jan. 2 in the Fiesta Bowl.
He is already working out on his own even though winter conditioning doesn't begin until mid-February.
Likes the prospects
"The fact he's coming is going to be a natural 1-2 punch, two kids from Akron," said Pittman who attended Akron Buchtel. "I'm all for it. Still, I've got to work even harder."
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Pittman made a huge leap last season in understanding the film study and dedication required of a starter.
After gaining 381 yards on 73 carries as a freshman playing behind Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall, Pittman finished his sophomore year with 1,331 yards, more than Maurice Clarett's 1,237 yards during the national championship season of 2002.
Pittman scored all seven of his touchdowns in the final five games, ending his drought with a 67-yard dash in the third quarter Oct. 29 at Minnesota that some thought was one of the turning points of the season.
He received a huge boost of confidence in the final two games, beating Michigan with a 3-yard touchdown run with 24 seconds remaining, then clinching the victory over Notre Dame with a 60-yard touchdown.
Perfect finish for Pittman
It was the perfect finish for what could have been a frustrating day for Pittman, who totaled 136 yards on 21 carries. He also caught a 10-yard pass on third-and-9 on Ohio State's final drive.
"Going in with a month to prepare, we knew it was going to be an exciting game," Pittman said. "We kept running. I'd get 3 yards, 7, 1, then we'd air it out and go deep. When the game was close and it was time to run out the clock, I eventually broke one."
Pittman admitted he got excited when the Buckeyes began their last possession with 5:27 to go.
"I knew I was going to get a lot of touches," he said. "I prepared to hold onto the ball."
Wells ended his season on a high note as well, being named MVP of the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. Playing for the East, Wells rushed for 67 yards on 13 carries and three scores in a 27-16 win against the West.
"It was exciting for me just to go down there and show people what I could do," said he 6-2, 230-pound Wells. "Because it was an all-star game, I really wasn't expecting to play that much."
Maybe Wells received preferential treatment. The East coach was Glenville coach Ted Ginn Sr., whose son is Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.
Wells will graduate early from Garfield. His last day of school is Tuesday.
"My classes at Ohio State start in March," he said. "I'm ready to go down there, start school and be part of the team. I'm a little nervous about that but I'm more nervous about leaving home."