Written by Chris O’Dell
The Bison football team was ranked at the bottom of the conference in defense last season. However, in the offseason the Bisons put their focus on improving a vulnerable defense in order to stay in games they weren’t in last year. Several new faces on the defensive side of the ball have helped carry the load this year.
One of those new faces is senior Josh Jones. After transferring from Minnesota State University Moorhead last year, the 5-foot-10-inch safety has helped improve a revamped defense for the Bisons. Jones said he feels like he is right where he belongs now.
“I needed a better situation,” Jones said. “Harding is a better place with better coaching and a better team.”
Since arriving this past spring, Jones has fit right in with the team. In fact, Jones leads the Bisons in tackles, interceptions and fumble recoveries. With three interceptions already this season, Jones has already picked off the opposing quarterback as many times as any player on the defense did last season.
As a unit, the Bison defense is surrendering five points per game less than last season and giving up almost 70 yards less each game. Head football coach Ronnie Huckeba said a lot of the improvement on defense can be attributed to a new scheme this year.
“In the offseason we looked at film of TCU’s defense and how they play,” Huckeba said. “We tried to implement some of the things they do with what we were already doing on defense.”
With an offense that averaged more than 30 points per game last season on a team that finished the season with a 2-9 record, it was vital for the team’s defense to make a marked improvement. Jones said the team has been working hard to improve in all facets of the game.
“We’ve been studying a lot of film, working hard and trying to put those things into action,” Jones said.
That hard work has definitely paid off for Jones. The Carson, Calif. native was named Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his game against Southwest Baptist University. In the game, Jones racked up 15 tackles, including eight solo tackles and one half-sack. He also intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards, recovered one fumble and broke up two passes.
The interception by Jones led to a Harding field goal while both pass breakups came in Southwest Baptist’s endzone. The senior cornerback made a game-saving tackle on Harding’s three-yardline in the final overtime and then recovered a fumbled snap to ice the victory for the Bisons.
“It was a big accomplishment for me,” Jones said. “The GSC is probably the best conference in the nation. A lot of people call it the SEC of Division II. So, being honored with the conference player of the week feels pretty good.”
Harding has to play against conference foes like Delta State and North Alabama, who both rank in the top 10 in the nation. Jones said he is always ready to play the top teams in the conference.
“I’m always up for a challenge,” Jones said. “I like having the opportunity to play big conference games. I go into each game thinking each team can be beat if we work hard.”
The 2-3 Bisons will travel to Magnolia, Ark. to take on Southern Arkansas University Saturday at 6:05 p.m. The team will be looking for its first conference win of the season.
If the Bison defense continues its improved play on defense, look for Jones and the Bison defense to lead the team to another Harding victory.
