Pittsburgh ? Pennsylvania state police say a trooper with Ben Roethlisberger the night he was accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student in a Georgia nightclub is subject to the department’s code of conduct whether he was working for the Steelers quarterback or along as a friend.

Lt. Myra Taylor said Friday that an internal investigation will determine whether Trooper Ed Joyner did anything “that could reasonably be expected to destroy public respect” for the agency.

A friend of the accuser said in a statement to police that a “bodyguard” refused to acknowledge that the woman, who had been drinking, was alone with Roethlisberger in the back of a nightclub in Milledgeville, Ga., on March 5. Georgia investigators later identified that man as Joyner.

Taylor said Joyner had permission from the state police to work off-duty for Roethlisberger since 2005, with his duties including answering phones and fan mail, driving and accompanying the quarterback to charitable events. Joyner’s request to work for Roethlisberger does not include the term “bodyguard” nor is there any reference made to personal protection or similar duties, Taylor said.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Oregon to talk to Anderson

Kansas City, Mo. — One year after signing a seven-year contract extension at Missouri, Mike Anderson is talking with Oregon about its head coaching job.

Missouri spokesman Dave Reiter said the university gave Oregon permission Thursday night to speak with Anderson, who was in El Paso, Texas, to play in a charity golf tournament sponsored by former mentor Nolan Richardson. Anderson coached under Richardson at Arkansas from 1985 to 2002.

Reiter said it’s not unusual for the university to grant schools permission to talk to its coaches about job vacancies. He said he didn’t know for sure whether Anderson had met with anyone about the Oregon position.

The Portland Oregonian said it confirmed that Anderson had met with Pat Kilkenny, a former Oregon athletic director who is leading the search for a new Oregon coach.

The Ducks have been without a head coach since Ernie Kent was fired a month ago after a 16-16 season and ninth-place finish in the Pac-10.

Anderson received a seven-year, $10.85 million contract extension after the 2008-09 season.

Michigan State duo staying

Detroit — Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo says Durrell Summers and Kalin Lucas will return for their senior seasons. Izzo told the Associated Press on Friday morning both chose not to enter the NBA Draft to chase a championship and continue their education.

GOLF

Three share Verizon lead

Hilton Head Island, S.C. — A grueling Masters finally caught up to K.J. Choi on Friday at the Verizon Heritage, and Jim Furyk, Charles Howell III and Greg Owen took advantage to top the second-round leaderboard at Harbour Town. Furyk (68), Howell (67) and Owen (69) were tied at 7-under 135, a stroke ahead of a group that included two-time Verizon champ Boo Weekley (68) and Stuart Appleby (67).

Choi, who tied for fourth with Tiger Woods at Augusta National after playing alongside Woods all four rounds, opened with a 64 on Thursday. However, he couldn’t maintain that pace and fell three shots off the lead after a 74.

Nordqvist wins in Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica — Anna Nordqvist won the inaugural Mojo 6 Jamaica LPGA Invitational, beating Amanda Blumenherst 1-up in the six-hole championship match in the Raceway Golf event.

O’Meara opens with 65

Lutz, Fla. — Mark O’Meara shot a 6-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Mike Reid and defending champion Nick Price in the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am, while Fred Couples opened with a 71 in his bid for a fourth straight Champions Tour title. Two-time champion Tom Watson was two strokes back along with Tom Pernice Jr., Tommy Armour III, Bernhard Langer, Russ Cochran and Tom Jenkins after a 67.

Rice misses Nationwide cut

Hayward, Calif. — Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice shot a 5-over 76 — seven strokes better than his opening 83 — on Friday in the Fresh Express Classic to miss the cut in his Nationwide Tour debut.

AUTO RACING

Stewart takes Texas pole

Fort Worth, Texas — Tony Stewart is on the pole for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race for the first time in five years. Stewart will start from the front in his 400th career race in NASCAR’s top series after turning in a qualifying lap of 191.327 mph at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday.

It’s been 155 races since Stewart last started on the pole, at Martinsville in October 2005.

Stewart will start on the pole for the third time in Texas. He was the top qualifier twice in the IndyCar Series in the 1990s.