Junior cornerback Cyrus Jones, however, might have saved the game for the Crimson Tide. Isolated several times against West Virginia’s best receivers, Jones was able to record seven tackles and a pass breakup. Early in the game, he covered West Virginia receiver Mario Alford on a pass in the end zone that fell incomplete, forcing West Virginia to kick a field goal on its first possession of the game. Late in the game, he broke up a pass intended for star Mountaineer receiver Kevin White in the end zone, saving another touchdown.
The Baltimore, Maryland, native’s performance was enough to earn Player of the Week honors from the Alabama coaching staff.
“I think he played really, really well,” coach Nick Saban said. “He made two big plays inside the 10-yard line. He was the one guy that consistently did what he was supposed to do in the secondary, and did a good job of covering. He didn’t give up many plays. We actually, when they kept going to No. 11, flip-flopped him to No. 11 in the game. The last time we stopped them, he was the guy who was covering the guy on the fade pattern and batted the ball down.”
Jones has been praised by his coach and teammates for his growing role as a leader in a defense that has struggled to maintain consistency.
“He had a really good camp and really matured as a player, much more confident this year than a year ago, and has played really well,” Saban said. “I think he has a good understanding, and a smart guy. Has the poise to adjust. We thought he really did a good job.”
Jones said the coaches’ appreciation is motivation more than anything, reminding him of the important role he has to play on the team.
“It definitely feels good anytime you get recognized by your coaches,” Jones said. “It definitely motivates you to keep on grinding in practice and keep on working to get better.”
Jones came to Alabama as a wide receiver, but switched to the defensive side of the ball for his sophomore year. Jones said it was difficult to switch back to a defensive mentality, although he played defense in high school. Since then, he has developed as Alabama’s top cornerback, and Saban has called him one of the Tide’s most improved players.
“I just think I’ve matured a lot as a player,” Jones said. “I just go about my preparation a lot more vigorously, and I’m just a lot more comfortable with the playbook. Anytime you’re comfortable with the playbook it helps you play faster on the field because you don’t have to think as much.”
