BGSU lineman Chris Jones named to AP All-American 3rd team

12/11/2012
BLADE STAFF
Bowling Green State University player Chris Jones, 91.
Bowling Green State University player Chris Jones, 91.

BOWLING GREEN -- Bowling Green State University defensive lineman Chris Jones was named to the Associated Press All-American third team today.

Jones is just the 22nd Falcon to ever earn All-American status, and the third Falcon under head coach Dave Clawson to be named an All-American.

The senior from Brownsburg, Ind., is the first Falcon to be named to the AP team since Brian Leaver earned the honor in 1994. Leaver earned first-team honors that season as a placekicker.

Jones, who was named to the All-Mid-American Conference first team and MAC defensive player of the year, currently ranks third in the nation with 12.5 sacks and is tied for seventh with 19.0 tackles for loss, both career bests. This season he also has 41 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, five quarterback hurries and a pass break-up. He had a sack in 8-of-12 games and recorded a tackle for loss in 10 contests.

Jones is part of a Falcons defensive unit that ranks seventh in the nation in total defense (289.7), seventh in pass defense (173.0), ninth in scoring defense (15.8) and 15th in rush defense (116.7). BG also ranks sixth on third downs (28.5%) and ninth in sacks (37.0).