COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus police department closed the case against Ohio State running back
Carlos Hyde, the team's leading scorer, on Tuesday because
the alleged female assault victim did not wish to pursue charges.
Hyde, who had been listed as a person of interest in the case, had been suspended by coach Urban Meyer from all team activities in the wake of the incident, which occurred July 20 at a downtown bar.
"We were in the middle of our investigation," spokesman Sgt. Rich Weiner said. "
The most important thing left to do was interview the [alleged] victim. She met with investigators on Saturday and informed officers that she didn't want to pursue charges."
An Ohio State spokesman did not have an update yet on Hyde's status with the Buckeyes or any potential punishment he may still face from Meyer.
Hyde, a 6-foot-2, 242-pound senior from Naples, Fla., scored 17 touchdowns and 102 points to lead the Buckeyes to a 12-0 record last fall. He gained 970 yards on 185 carries, coming within 30 yards of becoming the first running back in Meyer's coaching career to reach 1,000 yards in a season.
Hyde, who is a preseason member of the Doak Walker Award watch list, is expected to form one of the most dangerous inside-outside rushing combinations in the country with quarterback
Braxton Miller this fall.