The winning touchdown grab for tight end David Jones againstTroy on Saturday night was more than a clutch play — it was apromise.
Jones said the touchdown was for his cousin Drew Hixon, whoplayed for Tennessee Tech before he suffered a brain injury onSept. 11 in a game against South Florida. He said Hixon now liveshis football dreams vicariously through Jones.
“I talked to him on the phone the other day,” Jonessaid. “He said ‘whenever you get a ball, go grab oneand take it into the end zone.”
Granting Hixon’s request, Jones caught a 30-yard touchdownpass to clinch LSU’s 24-20 win over Troy, then held the ballin the air as a sign of the completed promise, Jones said.
“I’m playing for the both of us,” Jonessaid.
With just five receptions for 73 yards this season, Jones saidhe wanted to make the most of the opportunity. But the limitedopportunities for Jones just encourage him to work harder inpractice, he said.
“You just show it in practice,” Jones said.”Like they say practice makes perfect. So whenever mynumber’s called [I have to] keep it coming. And if Idon’t drop them in practice, I won’t drop them in agame. And I’ve got to build more confidence that he can cometo me more often.”
Tigers junior wide receiver Skyler Green said he enjoyedJones’ rare touchdown reception.
“We get happy for the tight ends once they do catch a passin the game because the tight end’s not really involved inthe gameplan,” Green said. “It was a great catch byDavid. Every single time we’ve called that play we’vescored or have gotten a bunch of yards on it.”
The play-action pass to Jones was just what the Tigers neededafter rushing for just 57 yards on 36 carries, LSU quarterbackMarcus Randall said.
“I knew it was going to be open down the sidelines so Ijust took my time and I hit him,” Randall said. “I knewthat they had been stopping the run all day so when we faked thatreverse they were going to bite on it.”
Though he made one great play in the game, Jones said muchimprovement should be made in his blocking and that of theoffensive line.
“I think we came out too relaxed,” Jones said.”Up front we need to come off the ball and strike guys more.We weren’t playing with a sense of urgency like we normallydo.”
Although Jones ranks the touchdown catch as his greatestaccomplishment on the football field, he said there have been manygreat accomplishments in other phases of his life, especially beingso far away from his Maryland home.
“I think football has taught me to be a better man,”Jones said. “Especially being away … on my own being so faraway from home. I’ve got to take on the responsibility ofpaying your own bills of what to do what not to do.”
With his mother and father getting divorced earlier in hischildhood, Jones’ mother Lynn was forced to take on the roleof both parents. Jones said he realized a few months ago how muchof a burden his mother carried trying to raise the family, and itmotivated him to strive for success in every area of life.
“I didn’t understand when I was young,” Jonessaid. “Most recently I figured out the responsibility andwhat it takes to be your own person.”