Anthony Jones – Noteworthy
IU fumbled away the opening kickoff, gave up a touchdown 23 seconds into the game and found itself trailing by double digits by the end of the first quarter. They needed a comeback. And Anthony Jones might know more about comebacks than anyone on the FIU roster. Jones – one of two FIU players who were victims of a drive-by shooting in September – rushed for three touchdowns, including the clincher with 41 seconds remaining as the Panthers topped Toledo 35-32 on Friday in the Bahamas Bowl. Jones tied a school record with the three scores, and FIU (9-4) set a school record with its ninth win of the season. “I’m extremely happy for my teammates, these seniors, all my coaches, the support staff at FIU, they were all behind me the whole time,” Jones said. “I’ve been extremely blessed by the man above.”
Jones and offensive lineman Mershawn Miller were shot in the city of Opa-locka, Florida – just north of downtown Miami – on the afternoon of Sept. 6. The alleged gunman is in custody and is facing two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Miller was hit in the arm; Jones was shot in the back and the bullet exited just under his eye. He lost about 20 pounds in the days afterward, during which he was fed by tube. “This is a gift from God,” FIU coach Butch Davis said. – AP College Football