Kentucky LB Jacquez Jones named Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week
Saturday night was a night that Kentucky football fans have longed for for years. Heartbreak had become synonymous with the Kentucky-Florida rivalry, but last night was different when UK won 20-13 over the Gators.
Fans would be lying if they said that they didn’t experience at least some bit of pessimism late in the fourth quarter.
Although, there was something different this time. That difference? A dynamic defense highlighted by multiple guys who are going to be playing on Sundays for a long time.
The two names that stood out the most defensively to me were Josh Paschal, whose blocked kick will go down in UK football history, and Jacquez Jones, whose tipped pass in the endzone saved fans from potential heartbreak.
On Sunday, Jones’ big play was rewarded as he was named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week. He is just one of two Wildcats to win the award since it was established in 2004 (Josh Allen also won on Nov. 4, 2018).
Each week, the Walter Camp Foundation names an offensive and defensive player after compiling votes from media members across the country.
The Ole Miss transfer finished the day with nine total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and the one pass breakup, but was in on numerous other plays, as well.
Jones’ Tipped Pass will be remembered
In 20 years, fans will forget many of the plays from this potential program-shifting win for Kentucky. The two that won’t be forgotten are the blocked kick return and the Jones deflection.
The linebacker played it to perfection. He read the eyes of the quarterback and found the ball to get just enough of it to tip it and end the game.
As someone who was sitting almost even with the play in the upper deck, the ball felt as if it was in the air for an eternity, until Jones made the break.
“Well, (Jones has) played really well,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said after the game. “He gives us some maturity in there. He’s made some really athletic plays.”
Jones finds a nose in run stopping constantly
Stats, at times, can be misleading. At other times, they can prove what one of the main differences in the game was. The ‘Cats finished with 6.0 tackles for a loss resulting in Florida losing 11 total yards.
While Jones only finished with one, he found his way into helping slow down one of the nation’s top rushing attacks.
The combination of Paschal on the line and Jones in the linebacker core becomes even more impressive when you consider that Kentucky was without arguably their best run plugger in Marquan McCall, who left early in the game with an injury.
Guys had to step up to fill that void and they did.
“Mr. Jones and Me, Looking into the Future”
Now, we get the chance to look into the future. The thing fans say on social media about this year’s Kentucky team is the “swag” that they have.
Fans got a taste of it with Benny Snell Jr., Lynn Bowden, and even Kelvin Joseph, but this year’s team has guys with confidence on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, it helps when your starting quarterback has confidence. Defensively, it proves dividends when your linebacker can do the same thing. That is what Jones has brought to this team.
Looking ahead to the future, there is a lot to be excited about. While the offense has sputtered at times over the last few weeks, the defense has proven that they can keep their team in the game should they need to.
Jones deserves a lot of the credit for that. A very well-deserved Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week award is great recognition.
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