Enquirer news services

COLUMBUS - Maurice Clarett has distinguished himself as the top freshman running back in the nation - yet every few days he gets dozens of hate-filled e-mails from Ohio State fans.

In a lengthy interview Wednesday night, Clarett said he expects to play Saturday against No.21 Minnesota despite an injured shoulder. He also said he isn't bothered by the reaction to his statement in ESPN The Magazine that he would take the money and run to the pros if it were offered to him.

"I still get e-mails that say, `I hate you ... this, that and the other thing,''' Clarett said after Wednesday's practice. "There's hate mail in my locker."

In the magazine article, Clarett says he is considering challenging the NFL rule that prevents underclassmen from coming out for the draft.

That was seen as disloyalty by No.6 Ohio State's fervent fans. Many turned on him, writing letters to the local newspaper or calling radio shows to berate him.

"That's the main thing - like you're not loyal, you're not a Buckeye," he said of the theme of the letters and e-mails he gets. "But I can't control what other people think, write or say about me. So I don't really care about it too much."

Clarett has rushed for 1,019 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. Despite missing one game after arthroscopic knee surgery and most of last week with an injury to the nerves in his left shoulder, he needs only 108 more yards to break Robert Smith's Ohio State record for freshman rushing.

Clarett already is a celebrity in Columbus where he is the biggest star for the unbeaten Buckeyes. He went out with family and friends to a restaurant to celebrate his 19th birthday Tuesday night. He said he couldn't get any peace because everyone recognized him.

INJURY UPDATE: Two injured starters could return against Minnesota. Right tackle Shane Olivea underwent an appendectomy Oct.22, and linebacker Cie Grant sprained his ankle Oct.19 at Wisconsin.

Tressel said Olivea was expected to return to practice today if cleared by his surgeon. Doctors told Tressel that Grant was 85 to 90 percent.