Jones is 2008 All-BIG EAST First Team Honoree

Syracuse junior defensive tackle Arthur Jones (Endicott, N.Y.) is a 2008 All-BIG EAST Conference First Team selection, becoming the seventh Orange defensive lineman to earn the honor. Senior running back Curtis Brinkley (Philadelphia, Pa.) and senior offensive guard Ryan Durand (Leominster, Mass.) earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors.

Jones recorded 60 tackles, including 13.0 for a loss of yards, and had one fumble recovery. His 13.0 tackles for loss ranks 11th on Syracuse’s single-season record list and his career total of 31.5 is sixth-best in school history. The two-year starter has 126 tackles in his career, which ranks 13th on SU’s record list for tackles by a defensive lineman. In SU’s win at Notre Dame, Jones posted a career-high 15 tackles, including 4.0 for a loss, earning an ESPN College GameDay ‘Helmet Sticker’ and the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week award. Jones was named Syracuse’s 2008 Bill Horr Most Valuable Player, along with Brinkley, and in 2007 he earned the Tim Green Award winner, presented to the team’s outstanding defensive lineman.

Brinkley closed his Syracuse career as the school’s 15th-leading rusher with 2,132 career yards, including 1,164 rushing yards in 2008, which ranks fifth on the Orange single-season record list. He set the Syracuse record for consecutive 100-yard rushing games in one season with five and his seven career 100-yard rushing games ties for ninth on Syracuse’s record list. Brinkley averaged 97.0 yards per game in his final campaign, which ranks 12th in the Orange record book and is 28th in the nation this season. His 237 carries are sixth on the SU single-season list and his 494 career rushes is 10th all-time. Brinkley was named Syracuse’s 2008 Bill Horr Most Valuable Player, along with Jones.

A two-time ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Second Team selection, Durand was also a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation 2008 Draddy Trophy. He started 35 games at guard for the Orange, including all 12 in 2008 when he and the Orange offensive line blocked for Brinkley in his record-breaking effort. The Orange offense ranks 16th nationally in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.38). A health and exercise science major, Durand is a three-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star and been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll every semester. Durand earned the 2008 Syracuse Football Pat Miller Award presented to the outstanding athlete, student and citizen and in 2007 he was presented Syracuse’s Joe Alexander Award for excellence in football, scholarship and citizenship.

Syracuse University Athletics

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