NU corner confidently predicts win over USC
BY ROBIN WASHUT
WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT
LINCOLN - Andre Jones isn't shy sharing his feelings about Nebraska's game against second- and fourth-ranked Southern California on Saturday.
Nebraska's Andre Jones pressures Louisiana Tech's Jonathan Holland as he drops a pass in the Huskers' season opener at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
During the Huskers' weekly press conference Tuesday, Jones made it clear that he and his teammates don't have any worries about their first regular season game against a ranked nonconference opponent since 2001.
In fact, the cornerback has already marked it up in the win column.
"When we beat USC, this is going to slingshot our whole season," said the junior college transfer from Naples, Fla. "We're ready to go in there and show the world that Nebraska's back on top - that the order is restored."
Jones attributed his confidence to the fact that neither he nor his teammates are intimidated by the Trojans' mystique. Though NU hasn't beaten a ranked team on the road in nearly six years, the 6-foot, 195-pounder from Fresno City (Calif.) Community College said he signed with Nebraska over USC last spring for a reason.
While he did get an offer from the Trojans, Jones said his future in Lincoln would be much brighter than in sunny California.
"It was between (USC and Nebraska) when it came down to it, and in the end I wanted to go to a school that was going to beat the No. 1 team," he said. "L.A. seemed too Hollywood for me. USC is a great school and everything, but I wanted to surround myself with the right atmosphere. I didn't want to be a celebrity."
Jones attended the Huskers' 34-31 home loss to Texas Tech last October and USC's 50-42 win over Fresno State six weeks later at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
"There was a point in that game where Fresno State went up and they were getting on (USC) pretty good, and that stadium went real quiet," Jones said. "When I came here for the Texas Tech game, when (Nebraska was) down, that stadium still was loud and screaming.
"This is what I'm talking about right here. I don't want bandwagon fans. These are fans for life. It wasn't real out there."
As Jones and the rest of the NU secondary prepare for USC's potent offense, the focal point will be on containing the Trojans' stellar receiving corps.
Led by All-American Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, who combined for 151 catches for 2,231 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, USC boasts one of the most talented receiver units in the nation.
Despite their gaudy numbers and acclaim, Jones said the Huskers aren't the least bit intimidated.
"I love being the underdog," Jones said. "Most of my life I've been an underdog. I put on my pads the same way they do. They're on scholarship just like we are. I can't let fear let this team down. Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith are great athletes, but teams like this you've just got to hit in the mouth or they're going to hit you.
"It's like, yeah, we know who you are. But then you have to make sure they know who you are."
That confidence is shared by Jones' teammates.
"They're players just like us," junior cornerback Cortney Grixby said. "It comes to a point where you have to have pride. You can't go into a game thinking you're going to get beat. We're not intimidated by anything they have."
The way Jones sees it, not getting caught up in the Trojans' aura will be key to NU's success.
"We're not believing the hype," Jones said. "USC has a lot of distractions out there. That's what they win off of is distractions. USC's a great team. It's not going to be an easy win like Louisiana Tech or Nicholls State, but these are the games you live for. We're going to come out on top."
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=528&u_...3&u_sid=2241344
BY ROBIN WASHUT
WORLD-HERALD CORRESPONDENT
LINCOLN - Andre Jones isn't shy sharing his feelings about Nebraska's game against second- and fourth-ranked Southern California on Saturday.
Nebraska's Andre Jones pressures Louisiana Tech's Jonathan Holland as he drops a pass in the Huskers' season opener at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
During the Huskers' weekly press conference Tuesday, Jones made it clear that he and his teammates don't have any worries about their first regular season game against a ranked nonconference opponent since 2001.
In fact, the cornerback has already marked it up in the win column.
"When we beat USC, this is going to slingshot our whole season," said the junior college transfer from Naples, Fla. "We're ready to go in there and show the world that Nebraska's back on top - that the order is restored."
Jones attributed his confidence to the fact that neither he nor his teammates are intimidated by the Trojans' mystique. Though NU hasn't beaten a ranked team on the road in nearly six years, the 6-foot, 195-pounder from Fresno City (Calif.) Community College said he signed with Nebraska over USC last spring for a reason.
While he did get an offer from the Trojans, Jones said his future in Lincoln would be much brighter than in sunny California.
"It was between (USC and Nebraska) when it came down to it, and in the end I wanted to go to a school that was going to beat the No. 1 team," he said. "L.A. seemed too Hollywood for me. USC is a great school and everything, but I wanted to surround myself with the right atmosphere. I didn't want to be a celebrity."
Jones attended the Huskers' 34-31 home loss to Texas Tech last October and USC's 50-42 win over Fresno State six weeks later at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
"There was a point in that game where Fresno State went up and they were getting on (USC) pretty good, and that stadium went real quiet," Jones said. "When I came here for the Texas Tech game, when (Nebraska was) down, that stadium still was loud and screaming.
"This is what I'm talking about right here. I don't want bandwagon fans. These are fans for life. It wasn't real out there."
As Jones and the rest of the NU secondary prepare for USC's potent offense, the focal point will be on containing the Trojans' stellar receiving corps.
Led by All-American Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, who combined for 151 catches for 2,231 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, USC boasts one of the most talented receiver units in the nation.
Despite their gaudy numbers and acclaim, Jones said the Huskers aren't the least bit intimidated.
"I love being the underdog," Jones said. "Most of my life I've been an underdog. I put on my pads the same way they do. They're on scholarship just like we are. I can't let fear let this team down. Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith are great athletes, but teams like this you've just got to hit in the mouth or they're going to hit you.
"It's like, yeah, we know who you are. But then you have to make sure they know who you are."
That confidence is shared by Jones' teammates.
"They're players just like us," junior cornerback Cortney Grixby said. "It comes to a point where you have to have pride. You can't go into a game thinking you're going to get beat. We're not intimidated by anything they have."
The way Jones sees it, not getting caught up in the Trojans' aura will be key to NU's success.
"We're not believing the hype," Jones said. "USC has a lot of distractions out there. That's what they win off of is distractions. USC's a great team. It's not going to be an easy win like Louisiana Tech or Nicholls State, but these are the games you live for. We're going to come out on top."
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=528&u_...3&u_sid=2241344
