Big East honors 2 Rutgers players

The Big East on Monday named Rutgers senior cornerback Brandon Jones of Sicklerville the conference's special-teams player of the week. In addition, junior linebacker Jamal Merrell was named to the Big East weekly honor roll for his performance in the Scarlet Knights' 26-0 victory over Howard University.

Jones became the first defensive player since Quintero Frierson in 2006 to post two touchdowns in a season with his 6-yard fumble return on a blocked punt against the Bison. Sophomore wide receiver Miles Shuler Branch came untouched off the edge to block the punt, which Jones scooped up and scored.

Jones also scored a touchdown on an interception return in last week's victory over Tulane.

Brown on a roll. The transition from Penn State to Oklahoma has gone well so far for Justin Brown.

Brown was one of a handful of players who left Penn State in the wake of NCAA sanctions leveled after the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal.

In a 69-13 win over Florida A&M on Saturday, he had punt returns of 43 and 62 yards, twice setting up No. 5 Oklahoma (2-0) inside the Rattlers' 10-yard line. He's averaging 22 yards per return so far this season. Brown also has caught six passes for 87 yards.

Brown says he keeps in touch with his friends from Penn State. He says his "heart goes out" to his former teammates, who have started the season 0-2.

Uncertain outlook. Tulane's athletic director says it's still too early to know the long-term effects of the spinal injury Devon Walker suffered during last weekend's game at Tulsa.

Rick Dickson said Monday during a brief news conference at a Tulsa hospital that Walker is under constant monitoring, care and attention.

Dickson said Walker is alert and responsive.

Walker remains in stable condition in intensive care after undergoing surgery Sunday. He was injured in a head-to-head collision during Saturday's game.