Rested Jones ready to run

By MONTY MOSHER Sports Reporter

November 20, 2009

The AUS may have done the Saint Mary’s Huskies a favour when they docked all-conference tailback Devon Jones two games for striking a St. Francis Xavier X-Men player in a regular-season game on Oct. 23.

Jones bit his lip and took his punishment, choosing not to give his version of events, but pledging to be the best teammate he could be through his two games on the sidelines, which included last week’s 31-22 Loney Bowl win over the X-Men.

He made good on his commitment to be a team player, assisting fallen teammate Quinton Meaders to the hospital for a rib injury in the third quarter of the X-Men game.

Now the AUS leader in rushing yards (490) and touchdowns (seven) is rested and itching for a battle in Saturday’s Uteck Bowl against the Calgary Dinos at Huskies Stadium.

"I’m feeling good and ready to run," the five-foot-11, 240-pound Jones said this week.

The only issue might be rust for the bruising Jones, SMU’s first option in short-yardage and goal-line situations. It will be four weeks between game snaps by Saturday kickoff for the Alberta native, the son of former CFL great Milson Jones.

"It’s been a while, but I’ve still been practising and getting mentally prepared," he said. "I’m looking forward to this game and what it brings us."

The Huskies may have its three-headed run game back in business this week.

Jones is back along with Salmon River’s Craig Leger, who earned game MVP last week for running for 182 yards against the X-Men. Jones’s brother, Tristan, may be back off a shoulder injury.

Leger shouldered the load last week with the help of fullback Reed Anderson.

"There was no question he (Leger) could do it, it was just a matter of when, and it turns out that was the game," Devon Jones said. "All of our running back crew are just so proud of him. Craig inspired me for this game and I hope I can return the favour."

It should be a game where running and stopping the run is of particular consequence. Calgary had the No. 1 run offence in the CIS in the regular season, with Matt Walter rolling for 1,103 yards and nine majors, with SMU seventh.

Calgary had the No. 2 run defence, holding opponents under 93 yards per game, with SMU 10th.

The Dinos averaged 39.5 points in the regular season and have scored another 84 in their playoff wins over Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Huskies averaged 33.2 in the regular season.

Tristan Jones said he thinks he’s 50-50 to play Saturday, hardly good odds, but better than he was a week ago.

"Right now, I’m just practising like normal," he said. "It’s just general soreness. It’s tough watching, but at the same time you don’t want to push it."

Jon Shreve, who was brought over from the defence last week to help the run game, is out with a knee injury. Receiver Firass El Fateh is also out with a broken bone in his foot from the St. F.X. game.

( mmosher@herald.ca)