Looks like everyone’s favorite Heisman campaign has officially come to an end.

Roughly two weeks after the NCAA shut down the “McNutt for Heisman” campaign, Richard McNutt has been sidelined indefinitely.

Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel announced yesterday morning on his radio call-in show that McNutt, a junior cornerback for the Buckeyes, has been declared medically unfit to play football.

“The way we are talking about Richard at this moment, we’re planning like we will not have him,” Tressel said.

McNutt’s right ankle has chronic cartilage damage and will keep him out of the starting lineup for at least this week. The cornerback has started all previous six games for the undefeated Buckeyes.

“It was fun while it lasted,” said Steve Jahn, a senior in communication and the leader of the recently shut-down Heisman campaign. “It sucks that his ankle is messed up, but I guess that happens.”

McNutt’s loss will hurt a defensive secondary that is giving up over 280 passing yards per game. The Buckeyes face another spread offense this week when the San Jose State Spartans come to Ohio Stadium for the Homecoming game.

“He came in with an injury, he’s tried like crazy, he’s sacrificed and he’s played with the pain,” Tressel said. “We knew there was going to be a day when the medical people said ‘enough’ and that day has come.”

He has been having regular medical tests on the ankle and during the latest one, the team’s medical staff ruled him ineligible to play.

McNutt remained optimistic about his playing condition and said he hopes to return to the starting lineup next week when the team travels to Camp Randall Stadium for a game against Wisconsin. He must have doctor’s clearance, though.

Tressel said his cornerback’s condition would be evaluated further into the season and there was a possibility McNutt could return to the lineup. That possibility, however, is not likely.

E.J. Underwood, a freshman, will start in McNutt’s place alongside Dustin Fox, the No. 5 Buckeyes’ other starting cornerback.

McNutt will remain on the team providing help in the development of younger Buckeye talent in the role of player-coach.