Sixth – that’s the place the MAC media poll expected Eastern Michigan to finish in the Western division this year.

In case you didn’t know, there are six teams in the MAC West.

So when an EMU player is tied for number one in a MAC statistical category, it’s going against the grain. Unfortunately for the Eagles their team record is tied for last with Toledo.

With four tackles for a loss, defensive tackle Jason Jones is tied for the lead with linebackers Brion Stokes and Larry Hutchinson of Akron and Buffalo, respectively.

However, Stokes has three solo tackles and two assisted tackles for a loss. Hutchinson and Jones’ four tackles for a loss are all solo tackles.

A first-team All-MAC preseason selection by MAC report online, Jones recorded 18.5 tackles for a loss last season, good enough to rank him fifth in the nation.

Last year’s performance was good enough for the 6-foot-5, 270-pound lineman to be named EMU’s Most Valuable Player.

However, Jones hasn’t always been a defensive threat. In 2004, his freshman year, the Southfield, Mich. native started his college career as a tight end.

His highlight came against Florida when he caught four passes for 12 yards.
But, then halfway through the season the Eagles decided Jones’ skills were better suited for defense.

The rest is history, as Jones has been a match-up problem for every team he faces.

“They’re one of the better defensive fronts,” NIU head coach Joe Novak said. “Even Pitt couldn’t handle [Jones].”

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