Cyrus Jones remembers long game against Texas A&M

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Two years ago in College Station, Texas, injuries and poor play from teammates forced Cyrus Jones into action at cornerback.

Jones, then a sophomore in 2013, was in his first year playing the position after spending his freshman season as a wide receiver.

But with starter Deion Belue getting hurt early in the contest, Jones was tasked with lining up against Mike Evans, who would go on to become the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

Evans and quarterback Johnny Manziel got the best of Jones and Alabama's defense for much of the afternoon. With Jones in bump-and-run coverage in the fourth quarter, Evans beat Jones for a 95-yard touchdown. On the play, Evans got behind Jones to make the catch and then stiff-armed Jones when he tried to catch up.

"I grew up a lot that day, let's just put it that way," Jones said with a smile. "It was just a great game, back and forth. That was my first time really being out there in that type of atmosphere. It was definitely a learning experience. Got a chance to go up against a future first-rounder in Mike Evans.

"Just a growing up experience for me like I said. But I was just happy we came out with the win."

Jones and Alabama had the last laugh by earning a 49-42 victory. Jones also had his first career interception in that game.

Now a senior, Jones will return to College Station as the Tide's shutdown corner on Saturday when No. 10 Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) faces Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0) in Kyle Field.

While Jones doesn't let the game from two seasons ago define him, it did help add to the chip on his shoulder that he's played with since he was younger.

"That was definitely one of those experiences where I got beat a few times, so experiencing that and not wanting to feel that way again definitely motivated me to get more focused and grind harder to do what I had to do to get better," Jones said.

In the secondary, Jones is joined by cornerback Marlon Humphrey, true freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick (star/nickel) and safeties Eddie Jackson and Geno Matias-Smith in Alabama's nickel package. True freshman Ronnie Harrison comes in when the Tide goes to its dime package, or six defensive backs.

With Texas A&M's offense spending the majority of its time in three- or four-receiver sets, the Tide will be in one of those looks for much of the afternoon. Tide coach Nick Saban said Alabama's secondary has played with a "little more consistency this year" which has "helped us not give up big plays" in the passing game.

"We've played smarter, we've made less mental errors, we've communicated better," Saban said. "We've put ourselves in position to make plays and guys have been able to make them when they get the opportunity. Hopefully the challenge that we have this week, we'll be able to step up and do a nice job against the best passing team I think we've played to this point."

Statistically, Texas A&M has two of the best four receivers in the SEC in Christian Kirk and Josh Reynolds. Reynolds, a junior, is fourth in the SEC with 76.6 receiving yards per game. Reynolds has 18 catches for 383 yards and three scores.

Kirk, a true freshman, has had 100 or more receiving yards in three of the Aggies' five games this season. He's the only SEC receiver who averages more than 100 yards per game (103.8). On the year, Kirk has 32 receptions for 519 yards and four touchdowns.

With Kirk mostly playing in the slot, Fitzpatrick should be matched up with him.

Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen has thrown for 1,274 yards and 14 touchdowns to two interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes. Allen leads the SEC in passing efficiency (169.0) and is third in yards per game (254.8).

The Aggies like to spread teams out and take advantage of the speed of their receivers with quick passes.

All of Alabama's defensive backs, especially the younger players, will have to be on top of their game to avoid blown assignments. Alabama's passing defense is now No. 2 in the SEC, allowing 187.2 yards per game. The Tide is No. 1 in the SEC in opponent's yards per attempts (5.1) and passing efficiency (98.52). Alabama's eight interceptions is good for second in the league.

"They're probably the deepest receiving corps we're going to see this year," Jones said. "Talented across the board. It's going to be really hard to key on one guy and say 'If we take him out of the game, we're going to be fine.' We just have to be solid all across the board in the secondary."

Note: Alabama quarterback Blake Barnett has missed the past three practices with an undisclosed illness, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Wednesday night.

Barnett, a true freshman, spent the past two days in the hospital. He was released Wednesday afternoon.

"Blake's just ill. I can't get into specifics of what's wrong with him," Saban said. "But he wasn't feeling well. Decided to admit him to the hospital for some tests. They found out what the issue is. He's out. We're very hopeful that he'll be fine.

"He probably won't be back to practice for another day or two which kind of puts him out this week but we don't think it's anything serious, or anything that's a prolonged illness."

Saban said the team took "a lot of precaution to make sure he was OK."

Through six games, Barnett has yet to play this season. Asked if Barnett being out this week affects whether or not he'll redshirt, Saban said it wouldn't "really have anything to do with that."

Barnett, a California native, is a former five-star prospect. Saban wouldn't rule out the chance of him playing this season.

"We're developing him as a player and if we develop him to the point that we think he's going to give us the best chance to win somewhere down the road, then we probably play him," Saban said. "If that doesn't present itself, then we're certainly not interested in trying to waste a year if he's not going to play enough to help his development."

-- Contact Anniston Star Sports Writer Marq Burnett at mburnett@annistonstar.com. On Twitter:@Marq_Burnett.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 10:28 PM with the headline "Cyrus Jones remembers long game against Texas A&M ."