WEST LAFAYETTE | Amid fans swarming the field, injured Ohio State defensive tackle Dexter Larimore sought out Purdue defensive tackle and fellow Merrillville grad Mike Neal.

"He wanted to congratulate me on the win," Neal said after Purdue's 26-18 victory over No. 7 Ohio State. "I was concerned about what happened to him. I just told Dexter to get his butt back on the field, so he can get ready to play some more football."

Larimore missed his second straight game with a sprained right knee. He traveled with the team to West Lafayette, but did not dress.

"It's very disappointing, but my injury could have been a lot worse," Larimore said. "I'm just happy it wasn't a season-ending injury and I'll be back."

Larimore said he may be back for next week's game against visiting Minnesota. He has 17 tackles this season, which was tied for fifth-most on the team at the time of his injury.

"Obviously you always want to do better, but I was having a pretty decent season," Larimore said. "I've been doing rehab and watching a lot more film. I've been able to learn how to really dissect offenses and learn our defense even more. Hopefully when I get healthy it will translate into my game."

Larimore has steadily progressed during his career at Ohio State. He started one game as a freshman and had 16 tackles. Last season, Larimore was a rotating starter, before becoming a full-time starter this season.

"I always like to work for what I get," Larimore said. "I was never one of those guys that runs a 4.5 or benches all of this, I've always had to work for what I get.

"I don't really like to be given things. I never liked that kind of idea. I like being able to work my way up."

Larimore is also succeeding off the football field as an accomplished ceramics artist. His work was selected to be shown at an exhibition during the 2009 NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C.

His apartment in Columbus includes an area where he keeps clay and a small kin.

"To be able to go in there after football -- it kind of relaxes me down and kind of soothes me from all the stress I deal with (during football)," Larimore said.

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Dexter Larimore

Ohio State defensive tackle

Merrillville grad has 17 tackles this season

Was tied for fifth-most tackles on the team before spraining his right knee