On the same day Ohio State announced that it would begin an investigation into the possible preferential academic treatment of star running back Maurice Clarett, an associate professor now says Clarett was treated similarly to other former students when he was given oral examinations instead of written tests in a history class last fall.

The New York Times reported Sunday that Clarett had passed African-American and African Studies 101 classes only after taking two oral exams at the end of the quarter, while the other students in the class took more rigorous written midterm and final exams.

Paulette Pierce, an associate professor, told The Times that she had worked directly with Clarett and had administered the oral examinations after Clarett had walked out of the written midterm exam without finishing the test.

"He looked at it and didn't know a thing," Pierce told the newspaper Sunday.

Pierce told The Times that she decided to give Clarett oral examinations "because his lack of academic preparation forced her to use unconventional teaching methods."

Pierce also told The Times that she has administered oral exams to other students in previous years and strongly denied allegations that Clarett received special consideration. Kenneth Goings, chairman of Ohio State's Department of African-American and African studies, told The Times that Pierce had the discretion to decide whether to give oral exams.

The newspaper reported that Pierce began working with Clarett in hopes of motivating him. She said he needed a lot of attention.

"I don't think, at one point in the class, he was trying," she told The Times. "When I started working more closely with Maurice, and paying more attention to him, he started to learn more."

In a statement released through his attorney on Sunday, Clarett said he was "disappointed" in the newspaper's story.

"Yes, college has been difficult for me sometimes, like it is for lots of freshmen," he said in the statement in Monday's editions of The Columbus Dispatch. "I respect Professor Pierce, and I appreciated the assistance she gave me. I do not believe I broke any rules in receiving that assistance."

Ohio State president Karen Holbrook said that athletic director Andy Geiger and incoming provost Barbara Snyder will oversee the investigation.

When asked by the Columbus Dispatch Sunday whether the allegations would impact Clarett's eligibility to play for the Buckeyes this season, he replied, "Not that I know of. That doesn't mean it won't change. As of now, he's fine."

The Dispatch also reported on Sunday that Geiger said that Clarett's two recent meetings with the NCAA dealt with questions about Clarett's finances, not his academics. The newspaper reported that the NCAA might be looking into Clarett's dealings with Cleveland Cavaliers rookie LeBron James, Clarett's friend and the No.1 pick in this year's NBA draft.

"I don't think there's any linkage whatsoever (between the NCAA investigation and The Times story)," Geiger said to the Dispatch.

Sources told the Dispatch that Clarett apparently gave satisfactory answers to the questions from the NCAA investigator, but that a final ruling in the matter still was pending. NCAA spokesman Jeff Howard declined comment Saturday, according to the newspaper.

Despite numerous injuries, Clarett set Ohio State freshman records with 1,237 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns last season as the Buckeyes beat Miami 31-24 in double-overtime for the national title.

Ohio State has had problems with academics in the past.

In 2000, a year before coach Jim Tressel took over for John Cooper, wide receiver Reggie Germany was declared ineligible for the Outback Bowl after recording a 0.0 GPA for the fall quarter.

In the most recent data from the NCAA, covering the class that started during the 1995-96 school year, Ohio State was 10th in the Big Ten with a 60 percent graduation rate among athletes. Only Minnesota was worse, with a 54 percent graduation rate. The Buckeyes' football team had a 28 percent graduation rate.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.