Bowling Green State University Athletics
Jones Named MAC Defensive Player of the Year
November 28, 2012 | Football
Chris Jones, a member of the Bowling Green State University football team, was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, announced by the league office on Nov. 28. Jones is just the third Falcon to ever earn the award, and the first Falcon to do so since Vince Palko won the award in 1993 and 1994. The only other Falcon to accomplish this feat was Phil Villapiano in 1970.
Jones currently ranks third in the nation with 12.5 sacks and is tied for seventh with 19.0 tackles for loss, both career-bests for the defensive tackle. Jones added 41 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, five quarterback hurries and a pass break-up. He had a sack in 8-of-12 games and recorded a tackle for loss in 10 contests.
Jones is part of a defensive unit that ranks seventh in the nation in total defense (289.7), seventh in pass defense (173.0), ninth in scoring defense (15.8) and 15th in rush defense (116.7). The Falcons also rank sixth on third downs (28.5%) and ninth in sacks (37.0).
The Brownsburg, Ind., native, who was also named first-team All-MAC, burst onto the scene in week two versus Idaho, finishing the contest with five tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, earning MAC East Defensive Player of the Week honors. He would win the award for the second straight week, posting four tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble at Toledo.
In week four Jones cemented himself as one of the best defensive tackles in the nation, recording five tackles, 1.0 sack and 2.0 tackles for loss at Virginia Tech, proving he could post numbers up against some of the biggest programs in the nation.
After recording a single sack versus Rhode Island and Akron, two BGSU wins, Jones exploded for five tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in the Falcons' 37-12 win over Miami. It was Jones' sixth straight game with a sack and his third MAC East Defensive Player of the Week award.
In week eight Jones managed three tackles in a 24-0 win at UMass, BGSU's first shutout since Nov. 6, 2004. The following week he added another three tackles, but this time recorded 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and had a 23-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in BGSU's 24-3 win versus Eastern Michigan.
For the first time all season Jones had back-to-back games with zero tackles for loss versus Ohio and Kent State, but rebounded with a five tackle, 2.0 tackle for loss, one sack and a forced fumble performance versus Buffalo, helping the Falcons to an 8-4 record, BGSU's first eight win season since 2007.
In his career, Jones has started 37 straight contests and has 156 tackles, 46.5 tackles for loss, 28.0 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one safety with the Orange and Brown.
Jones currently ranks third in the nation with 12.5 sacks and is tied for seventh with 19.0 tackles for loss, both career-bests for the defensive tackle. Jones added 41 tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, five quarterback hurries and a pass break-up. He had a sack in 8-of-12 games and recorded a tackle for loss in 10 contests.
Jones is part of a defensive unit that ranks seventh in the nation in total defense (289.7), seventh in pass defense (173.0), ninth in scoring defense (15.8) and 15th in rush defense (116.7). The Falcons also rank sixth on third downs (28.5%) and ninth in sacks (37.0).
The Brownsburg, Ind., native, who was also named first-team All-MAC, burst onto the scene in week two versus Idaho, finishing the contest with five tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, earning MAC East Defensive Player of the Week honors. He would win the award for the second straight week, posting four tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble at Toledo.
In week four Jones cemented himself as one of the best defensive tackles in the nation, recording five tackles, 1.0 sack and 2.0 tackles for loss at Virginia Tech, proving he could post numbers up against some of the biggest programs in the nation.
After recording a single sack versus Rhode Island and Akron, two BGSU wins, Jones exploded for five tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in the Falcons' 37-12 win over Miami. It was Jones' sixth straight game with a sack and his third MAC East Defensive Player of the Week award.
In week eight Jones managed three tackles in a 24-0 win at UMass, BGSU's first shutout since Nov. 6, 2004. The following week he added another three tackles, but this time recorded 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and had a 23-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in BGSU's 24-3 win versus Eastern Michigan.
For the first time all season Jones had back-to-back games with zero tackles for loss versus Ohio and Kent State, but rebounded with a five tackle, 2.0 tackle for loss, one sack and a forced fumble performance versus Buffalo, helping the Falcons to an 8-4 record, BGSU's first eight win season since 2007.
In his career, Jones has started 37 straight contests and has 156 tackles, 46.5 tackles for loss, 28.0 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one safety with the Orange and Brown.
2026 BGSU Football Pro Day Player Interviews
Wednesday, March 25
BG Football Pro Day 2026 : Coach George
Tuesday, March 24
BG FBall : Postpractice Interviews 3.10
Tuesday, March 10
BG Football NSD Presser 12.4
Friday, December 05