Ohio State loses WR Brown for season to left leg injury

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohio State wide receiver Noah Brown injured his left leg during practice Wednesday and will miss the season.

Ohio State released a statement saying Brown would have surgery Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery.

The 6-foot-2, 222-pound Brown saw limited playing time in 13 games as a freshman last season and had one catch for 9 yards. But he was vying for a starting spot for the defending national champions and having a strong preseason. Coach Urban Meyer said last week Brown was one of the most improved players in training camp.

The Buckeyes were already planning to be short-handed at receiver against the Hokies because of suspensions to wideout Corey Smith and H-backs Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson.