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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jones makes most of chance with Vandals

Transfer safety fills in for injured defensive captain

MOSCOW, Idaho – Count junior college walk-on safety Jeromy Jones among the pleasant surprises for the University of Idaho football team.

With starting safety and defensive captain Shiloh Keo sitting out the Vandals’ final scrimmage with assorted dings and bruises, Jones took advantage of his opportunity.

Jones intercepted a pass and blocked a field goal attempt as the defense and offense shined equally well Tuesday afternoon at the Kibbie Dome.

“I’m very happy with what he did,” Idaho coach Robb Akey said. “His name shows up a lot (on Akey’s list of notes). He showed up a lot on this football field today. We certainly need some help there at safety; there hasn’t been a lot of depth.”

Jones, who hails from Las Vegas, arrived in Moscow just two days before fall camp commenced. He said he felt his way around the first two scrimmages before feeling comfortable Tuesday. He played the last two years at Arizona Western in Yuma, Ariz.

He heard about Idaho through redshirt freshman defensive tackle Michael Cosgrove and defensive end Charles Smith Jr., a freshman. Both are from Las Vegas.

Akey said Jones has firmly established himself as a backup, and it’s likely he’ll see plenty of playing time including action on special teams.

If there are those surprised by Jones, he isn’t one of them.

“That’s what I came here for – to help the team out,” said the 6-foot, 200 pounder who also had three tackles. “The first scrimmages were more of a learning thing. I didn’t play as fast. But now I know my plays a lot better so I’m faster on the field.”

He was behind in more ways than one when he arrived, though. He didn’t get a chance to work out with the Vandals this summer.

“I knew coming in here was going to be a big jump from JC ball,” Jones said. “So I just tried to prepare myself for that.”

Making an impact

Sophomore wide receiver Eric Greenwood continues to impress.

The gangly 6-6 pass catcher hauled in just three for 32 yards and one touchdown last year.

He’s determined to see more playing time this year. In fact, he may end up winning a starting job.

“Greenwood’s name keeps showing up as a receiver making things happen,” Akey said of the Edmonds, Wash., native. “That’s a very, very positive sign.”

Greenwood had three receptions for 56 yards Tuesday.

“I’m so excited right now,” Greenwood said. “Every scrimmage I’ve come out and had really big plays. I’m just excited to go down and do that in Arizona and throughout the season.”

Final assessment

The offense dominated the first scrimmage and the defense took the stage for the second. But the final showdown had mixed positive results for both sides of the ball.

“I’ve got a lot of names written down here with guys making plays on both sides of the ball,” Akey said. “I thought we got physical with each other and I thought we certainly played hard. I like very much the progress we made today.”

Quick kicks

There were a handful of players in addition to Keo (back, knee) who sat out the final scrimmage. Senior left tackle Billy Bates may have had the most bizarre reason for missing the scrimmage. Tuesday was the day the players moved from temporary housing into permanent residency for the fall. Bates was helping move a refrigerator when he tweaked his back, Akey said. Sophomore backup quarterback Quin Ashley (back) and sophomore linebacker JoJo Dickson (knee) also sat out. … The Vandals return to two-a-days today, will have just one practice Thursday and finish two-a-days on Friday before launching into preparation for their season opener Aug. 30 at Arizona. … Senior placekicker Tino Amancio had no difficulty booting a 52-yard field goal, the first score of the scrimmage.