*All athletes have that one game, that one contest, that ranks as the most unforgettable of their lives. It can be memorable because of a personal or team achievement, a dramatic finish, a sentimental moment, or any number of other factors.
Continuing an annual summer series, Packers.com caught up with the members of the 2009 draft class to ask them about the game they'll never forget. It could be a game at any level of competition that took place at any time. They're all hoping their new NFL careers will give them new memories and new games to cherish, but for now, these rank at the top.*
It was supposed to be the big victory that would propel the Colorado Buffaloes to a season to remember in 2008.
It didn't work out that way, but it was still one very memorable game for linebacker Brad Jones.
Jones, the Packers' seventh-round draft pick this past April, was one of the leaders of Colorado's defensive unit as it faced a mighty challenge in the third game of the season, on Sept. 18.
West Virginia and dynamic quarterback Pat White came to Boulder ranked 21st in the country. The Mountaineers' high-powered offense would go on to score 24 or more points eight times in 2008, but not on this night. Helped by Jones' career-high-tying 10 tackles, Colorado held West Virginia to just 14 points and pulled out a 17-14 overtime victory.
"Some games it's just that combination of what their offense is doing and what your defensive scheme is trying to do just clicks that much more," Jones said. "It turns your good games into amazing games."
Jones was in on several key plays throughout the course of the night. West Virginia was playing from behind all game after Colorado took a 14-0 lead just five minutes in, and it was 14-7 on the opening possession of the second half.
That's when Jones chased down White for a 3-yard gain on third-and-4, forcing a punt. Later, with the score tied 14-all midway through the fourth quarter, Jones stopped West Virginia running back Neal Devine for a 1-yard loss on third-and-long near midfield, forcing another punt.
Tension at Colorado's Folsom Field was sky-high as the fourth quarter unfolded. West Virginia had the last chance late in regulation, crossing the 50 and facing a key third-and-1 with the clock running. Jones combined with teammate Maurice Lucas to stop Devine for another 1-yard loss, keeping the Mountaineers out of field-goal range and forcing the overtime.
In the extra session, West Virginia had a field-goal try clank off the upright, and moments later Colorado's kick was good for the three-point victory. Jones estimated probably 20,000 fans rushed the field to celebrate the upset, as the Buffaloes were a surprising 3-0. This was after Colorado had started the previous season 1-2 and the season before that 0-6.
{sportsad300}"It was definitely big, real big," Jones said. "You're trying to make a name for yourself and get yourself up in the polls and stuff. We needed it. It was crazy.
"It's any feeling you can think of that can describe it, everything. You're happy, you're excited, you're proud, it's just great. You run the gamut of emotions."
Unfortunately, from there on the emotions were mostly down for Colorado. The Buffaloes lost seven of their final nine games to finish 5-7 and out of the bowl picture.
They did pull out close home wins over Kansas State and Iowa State, but Colorado went winless on the road, never able to capitalize on the momentum generated with the big upset and stellar defensive performance against West Virginia and White.
In the end, White and Devine combined for 186 yards rushing, but White threw for only 43 yards and West Virginia accumulated just 16 first downs.
"It definitely was the highlight of the season," said Jones, who went on to earn his team's co-defensive player of the year award, leading the team with 14 tackles for loss and also posting a career-high seven sacks.
"Toward the end of our season we started losing a lot of games, and we always looked back to that to try to get us motivated and get our mind focused."
