COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The lone bright spot coming out of Rutgers' 58-0 loss to Ohio State had nothing to do with the lopsided result.

It was the news in the post-game press conference that Greg Jones -- who was carted off the field and taken to a nearby hospital following a first-quarter injury -- "is fine,'' according to Scarlet Knights coach Chris Ash.

"We just have to monitor him when we get back,'' Ash said, "but he was on the sideline (in the fourth quarter) walking around.''

Midway through the opening quarter, Ohio State tailback Mike Weber gained eight yards on a run and was tackled by linebackers Trevor Morris and Deonte Roberts.

Jones, a 6-0, 215-pound fifth-year senior from Colonia, assisted on the initial contact, bumping his helmet against Weber's and remaining in the scrum.

But as Weber was being taken to the turf, Morris appeared to bump his helmet into Jones' helmet and Jones fell face first to the turf. He rolled over immediately and laid on his back.

"We were both going for the ball,'' Morris said after the game. "It was very scary. Just had to keep praying for him, making sure he was all right.''

Jones showed movement initially, moving his legs, feet, arms and hands. But as he tried to get up, a trainer ran in and alerted him to remain on the turf. Jones stayed there for nine minutes as trainers and medical staff from both teams tended to him. He showed movement again in his legs and feet, but he was immobilized on a backboard, lifted to a cart, and driven to an ambulance parked just off the field.

He was replaced at the strongside linebacker position by freshman Tyreek Maddox-Williams, who ended up leading the team with 11 tackles.

Anthony Cioffi called seeing Jones return to the sideline "a miracle.''

"It was nothing that you want to see for your teammate,'' the Rutgers senior safety said. "I was just looking down at him, and he was just not moving at all. It's scary, but I'm happy he's good. He was in the locker room. We just wanted the best for him.''

According to a Rutgers team spokesman, Jones was taken to Ohio State Wexner Medical Center as "a precaution'' and was "communicating'' with the coaches and medical staff and ''had movement.''

Morris said it was "a relief'' to see Jones on the sideline late in the game.

"He's good -- that's the only thing that matters,'' Morris said. "We just kept praying, making sure he was going to be all right.''

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.