Jones becoming a Husker cornerstone

[Eric the Red]

Jones becoming a Husker cornerstone

 

BY DIRK CHATELAIN

 

LINCOLN - Andre Jones watched film last week of Louisiana Tech's 1998 visit to Memorial Stadium. Specifically, he watched Troy Edwards embarrass the Blackshirts for an NCAA-record 405 receiving yards on 21 catches.

 

Not exactly the positive image a junior-college cornerback needs before his first Division I start. But Jones didn't fret.

 

"When I saw that film, I said there's no way I'm going to let that happen," said the 6-foot, 195-pound Floridian. "I said, 'I will not be that corner.' No disrespect to him, but I'm not going to let this team down like that. That's ridiculous."

 

Jones didn't disappoint, allowing just three short receptions. Louisiana Tech rarely tested Jones, perhaps a signal that the new guy is already earning respect.

 

Jones' emergence as a reliable corner has, at least for now, bailed Nebraska out of a dicey situation. The Huskers were so desperate for cornerbacks during fall camp that two receivers switched sides of the ball. Without Jones alongside veteran Cortney Grixby, NU might have been checking Arizona State's roster for disgruntled DBs.

 

"Just think, that's his first time out there in front of a big crowd," said defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. "We put him on an island a lot, and he did a very good job. He's ahead of the game right now."

 

Jones, who starred in 2005 at Fresno City (Calif.) Community College, said preventing the deep ball was his greatest focus Saturday - another lesson from 1998. Edwards scored three times that August day, from 52, 94 and 80 yards. The Bulldogs' 2006 version of Edwards, Johnathan Holland, demonstrated a similar flair.

 

He snagged seven balls for 139 yards, including a one-handed 39-yard touchdown against reserve Titus Brothers. Jones allowed no such highlight.

 

"I saw how he was running his routes," Jones said. "He's a fast dude, but he's not really that quick. So when he comes out of his break, you know when he's going to run something deep because he's moving from the start. That let me know right there: OK, he's coming fast, so it's got to be a post or a post fade.

 

"It's either one or the other: They're either really quick or really fast," Jones said. "Normally they don't have both."

 

Jones said he was shocked Louisiana Tech didn't attack him more often down the field. He disrupted a post pattern intended for Holland in the third quarter, and Zac Champion didn't give him many more chances, opting to test Grixby.

 

"When you're part of something this great, like the Nebraska Cornhuskers, you've been blessed to get a Blackshirt," Jones said. "That's not something that's just handed to you."

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

I love it!! Awesome attitude!

[ttheKid1*18]

I think he is going to have a good season and make some plays. He wil dominate next year with him, Bowman, and Grix all being seniors.

[Hawkeyehusker]

Jones will have a great season but he won't get much accomplished this weekend. NS will probably only throw the ball a half a dozen times. He should rack up a few tackles though.

[gamecocks]

I think the goal for the corners is to read the run and not bite on the play action in this next game. The last thing that we need to show USC is that our corners are going to bit on the play fakes.

[HSKRNOKC]

That is exactly what we need. Bowman gets hurt and Jones steps up and takes control.

 

Lets just hope to stay injury free this Sat.

[ttheKid1*18]

I think the goal for the corners is to read the run and not bite on the play action in this next game. The last thing that we need to show USC is that our corners are going to bit on the play fakes.

Especially the option pass. That was a great play when we ran it, and can cause for some huge gains. That play has to be stopped.

[Hawkeyehusker]

Jones is new, but he has talent. He will get better and better with every game he plays.

[Eric the Red]

Anyone know what his injury was today?

[HoustonHusker]

from the radio, they said just getting his bell rung.

 

it's good for him, gets him in the pace of the game

 

 

 

 

[HuskerMan]

From the looks where I was sitting it just looked like he got the wind knocked out of him.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

I was in Minneapolis so I didn't get to listen or see the game!!! But, from what you are saying I would have been scared to death when he went down!!!!!

[ttheKid1*18]

I was. He laid there for a few minutes and I was really scared. We are already thin in the secondary. That would have made it worse than worse.

[bluiz18]

I was at the game...he got his bell rung for sure. He laid on the ground for a while and when he got up, he started to jog off the field. He looked like he had about 6 shots of everclear, ive never seen anyone job crooked before, he was all over the place. He was back in the game later on! Hell be fine!

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Good to hear cross your fingers for this Saturday!!!!!