The Maryland Terrapins faced fourth down and 16 yards to go shortly into the third quarter of last Saturday's game against Ohio. Punting from inside the 10-yard line, Maryland punter Rusell Edwards was swarmed by a horde of Bobcats.

The next thing Edwards knew, Ohio cornerback Tevell Jones sent the punt into the ground instead of the air. Three plays later, the block led to a game-tying touchdown.

A blocked punt could be a once-in-a-lifetime play for most players, but it's becoming a habit for Jones.

Throughout his career at Ohio, Jones has touched the ball in big plays more than most offensive players. Two weeks ago in Ohio's opener against Kent, he picked up a fumble and ran 66 yards for his third career touchdown. Last season, Jones returned a blocked punt 30 yards for a touchdown against Hawaii and had an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown against Western Michigan.

Cressa

If Ohio gets a big play, it seems almost certain Jones is lurking nearby.

"Tevell has always been a big play guy, but he has a knack to put himself in the right position to make those plays," said defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter.

Whether it's luck or hard work, Jones doesn't like to make a big deal out of his recent successes.

"My job is really just not to give up the big play," he said. "But a lot of people say that: that everytime there's a strange play, I'm around it."

Maybe that's to be expected though, since the senior cornerback from Detroit has played football since he was five.

Despite his success so far on the field, Ohio football almost missed out on its big playmaker. Luckily, nature took its course.

"Basketball was my first love," Jones said. "But then I stopped growing. I still wanted to stay in sports because it was something to get out of the neighborhood, so my dad got me started on football."

The big play opportunities attracted Ohio's starting defensive back to the sport, but not his position. Originally, he wanted to be a quarterback, even though the passing game didn't interest him. Ironically, it was running the option which made the quarterback position look so appealing.

Eventually, however, he worked his way into Ohio's secondary, and his career has been a reflection of the program he's played for. Just like the football team, his play has improved over the years. In 1993, his freshman year, he redshirted and watched as the Bobcats won only four games. The following year he would play in eight games, but Ohio went the entire season without a victory. He sat out the 1995 season while the team went 2-8-1.

It was last year when both he and the program made a change. The Bobcats went 6-6 and were in the Mid-American Conference title hunt late in the season. As for Jones, he recorded four interceptions and 36 tackles Ñ his and the Bobcats' best season since he joined the team.

"Tevell is an exceptional athlete," coach Jim Grobe said. "He has the athletic ability and keeps working hard, which is why those big plays he makes aren't just a result of good luck."

The Bobcats don't consider it good luck they started 2-0 again this year. Jones said the team is more careful this season. This year's philosophy is to take it one game at a time, instead of like last year when a quick start led to premature thoughts of winning a berth to the Las Vegas Bowl.

Ohio may not end its season by winning a bowl game.

But whatever this season's outcome, the big play won't be the only thing Jones remembers.

"I know what I've been missing because of footballÑ all the parties, the spring breaks," he said, "Still, I'll miss all the fun of it."