Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football's Jones, Kizekai Pick Up Weekly Honors
9/14/2009 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 14, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell football team earned its first victory of 2009 this past Saturday at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, and on Monday had a pair of players honored for their accomplishments in the 26-23 victory over Robert Morris. Bison senior linebacker Greg Jones (Springfield, Va./Lee) was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week, while senior running back A.J. Kizekai (Pawtucket, R.I./Blair Academy (N.J.)) was honored as the league's Special Teams Player of the Week. Additionally, Kizekai earned a spot on the College Sporting News National All-Star Team.
Jones, who earned his second career Patriot League defensive honor, posted one of many impressive performances by Bison defenders on Saturday as he registered a team-high 13 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown. Jones picked off Desmond Brentley's pass and returned it 25 yards, crossing the goal line just 85 seconds after Brigham Farrand returned an interception for a score of his own. Jones' touchdown proved to be the winning points for Bucknell, which held a 24-10 lead at the time.
The interception was the third of Jones' career, while the touchdown was the first in the career of the quarterback-turned-linebacker. Overall, Bucknell intercepted five Robert Morris passes and the defense scored all 16 of the team's points in the second half Saturday.
Jones, who led the Bison with a career-high 89 tackles last year, now paces the team with 20 tackles this season. He has started 10 consecutive games and has been the defensive game captain in each of the first two contests this year.
Kizekai posted another outstanding all-around game on Saturday, returning four kicks for 125 yards, one punt for 14 yards and he caught two passes for 51 yards, including a game-tying touchdown with two seconds remaining in the first half. Overall, Kizekai totaled 199 all-purpose yards, moving him into second place on Bucknell's all-time list (4,747 yards). Additionally, he moved into the Patriot League top-10 list in all-purpose yards and now ranks fourth among active FCS players in that category.
Kizekai crossed the 100-yard plateau for kickoff return yardage for the 11th time in his career as he increased his four-year total to 2,339, nearly 500 more than the second-highest figure in program history.
A two-time First Team All-Patriot League selection as a return specialist, Kizekai earned his fourth career Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week honor, tying him with three others for the most in league history.
Jones, Kizekai and the rest of the Bison (1-1) will hit the road for the second time this season when they travel to Ithaca, N.Y., for a 12:30 p.m. meeting with Cornell. It will be the season opener for the Big Red. Fans can listen to the game free of charge through SportsJuice.com.
