Jones jumps at starring role
Junior linebacker Sean Jones made the move from fullback to linebacker this offseason and has worked his way into a starting role. Jones had 10 tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in the Wildcats 20-19 loss to Washington State Saturday. He talked to the Wildcat about trash-talking offensive linemen, the Houston Astros' playoff hopes and jumping out of a car on Fear Factor.
Wildcat: This week a bit of a breakout week for you at linebacker?
Jones: A little bit yeah, but it could have been better.
Wildcat: What's the biggest difference from offense and defense?
Jones: It's more physical, that's about it. I'm having a lot more fun than I did on offense.
Wildcat: What's a bigger thrill, getting a big carry on offense or making a play on defense?
Jones: I get a lot more thrills playing on defense than on offense.
Wildcat: Is there any kind of rivalry between the offense and defense?
Jones: Offense likes to be better than defense and put points on the board.
Wildcat: Get a lot of jawing out here between the two squads?
Jones: Yeah.
Wildcat: Who probably runs their mouth the most?
Jones: Probably the lineman, especially when you beat them because you know they're coming at you hard the next play.
Wildcat: You recovered two fumbles and forced one. Being on offense do you have kind of a nose for the ball?
Jones: It's probably more just being at the right place at the right time.
Wildcat: You feel bad at all for the Cougars that coughed the ball up five times?
Jones: No, not at all, it's just making our defense better. We should have had more. I wish we'd have had more.
Wildcat: Who's the one UA running back you'd like to go heads up with?
Jones: All of them. I wouldn't mind going up against all of them.
Wildcat: Who's the hardest to tackle?
Jones: Probably Gilbert Harris. He's so low to the ground. He always goes forward. It hard to get under him and get a good lick on him.
Wildcat: You're a health education major. Aspirations of being a teacher?
Jones: No. I want to be a physical therapist. When I get out of here, if I don't go pro, I want to go to PT school.
Wildcat: You get a weekend off. Any big plans?
Jones: I'm going home [to Houston] Thursday.
Wildcat: You gonna catch any of the Astros series?
Jones: Hopefully, I'm a huge baseball fan.
Wildcat: The Astros got a shot of making the playoffs?
Jones: They're only one game back now, so hopefully they have a shot. If they can win out from here, I think they'll get the wild card.
Wildcat: What kind of things do you do away from the football field?
Jones: Studying, hitting the books, that's about it.
Wildcat: Is school getting tougher now that you're getting into upper division stuff?
Jones: Yeah, it's hard to balance both football and work.
Wildcat: Tell me one thing that is a misconception about student athletes.
Jones: That we're lazy. People think we get away with a lot of stuff, which we don't. All eyes are on us in the community.
Wildcat: USC stayed at No. 1 this week. Are they the best team in the nation right now?
Jones: Not at all. They can be beat, especially after seeing what Stanford did to them.
Wildcat: What's your most memorable UA sports moment?
Jones: It's hasn't happened yet. Maybe when we start winning some games. Everything before now, I'm just trying to forget about.
Wildcat: What's the last reality TV show you saw?
Jones: Fear Factor.
Wildcat: Do you think you could deal with some of that stuff?
Jones: Yeah. For sure.
Wildcat: What's the worst thing you've seen someone do on that show?
Jones: Probably people jumping out of a car or off a building.
Wildcat: Tell me the first thing that comes to mind: "Arizona State."
Jones: Beatable. We'll beat 'em. Hate 'em.
Wildcat: "Rose Bowl."
Jones: Would love to get there soon.
Wildcat: "Stoops."
Jones: Awesome.