Saturday’s loss had to be a nightmare for Jonathan Wells.

The senior running back was having his best string of games and was in contention to help his team win a Big Ten title.

He talked all week about how special reaching the 1,000-yard mark for the season on senior day would be. How he has prepared for that day, in that huge game, in front of his parents and a national television audience – it was how it was supposed to be.

It was his one chance to step into the category of elite running backs in Ohio State history.

Then came Friday, and it all seemed less important. His friend, and teammate for the last four years, Steve Bellisari had been picked up for driving under the influence of alcohol.

His world had changed, he said he knew it then. So it wasn’t for the personal achievements on Saturday he gave his all, it was for a fallen teammate.

Wells did break the 1,000-yard mark with No. 8 written on his wristbands. In fact, he broke it with his best performance of his career. A day when he said he wanted to carry his team and all but did.

“Yeah I did,” Wells said. “I wanted to put them on my shoulders and lead us to victory. We were missing Steve out there. I wanted to take control of the huddle and let the quarterbacks know that ‘Hey I got your back’.”

Wells shouldered the brunt of the loss after the game, but showed more backbone than anyone thought he had in him.

Then again, it was “Senior Day” and the team needed all of him.

Wells was outstanding, carrying the ball 23 times for 192 yards, averaging 8.3 yards a carry. He scored a touchdown from one yard out to put the Buckeyes back up 22-21. He also had a 59-yard run on the Buckeyes’ second possession of the game that put his team inside the 20 and setup a 10-yard pass from Scott McMullen to Chris Vance.

It was the fourth straight game Wells had gone over the 100-yard mark and upped his season total to 1,128. He became the 16th back in school history to reach 1,000 yards in a season.

After the game, Wells wanted no part of praise from anyone regarding the actuality he had his best showing the last time he would suit up in the Horseshoe.

“Good job by my offensive lineman,” was all Wells could offer. “That’s about it.”

OSU coach Jim Tressel did manage to lend a few more words about his running back’s performance.

“I thought Jonathan had an outstanding day,” he said. “I think he’s had an outstanding year. I think he’s really worked hard to become the best he can be. I think he’s a heck of a sight when he’s got his shoulders square to the sideline. He’s got great ability with good vision when he’s squared up. He’s going to do nothing but keep getting better.”

Wells’ ability to get better mentally and physically will be put to the test again this week. He does not know yet if Bellisari would be reinstated as the starting quarterback against Michigan on Saturday, but just wants to forget about the last game, and the last week for that matter, to focus on beating the Wolverines.

“I am just disappointed,” Wells said. “We have the rest of the season to play. My head will be up tomorrow. I’ll be up and these guys will be ready to get better. I’m just real hurt right now.”