CHENEY -- This summer, Eastern junior running back Taiwan Jones, who averaged an impressive 7.5 yards per carry as a sophomore, was named to the initial 2010 Walter Payton Award Watch List by The Sports Network. He certainly lived up to that honor. Jones earning Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors, with a career-high 322 all-purpose yards in Eastern's season-opening 49-24 loss at Nevada. His performance included an 82-yard touchdown reception and a non-scoring 74-yard run. Jones rushed 12 times for 145 yards, had another 92 yards on two receptions and 85 yards on four kickoff returns. His previous career high was 279 yards against Sacramento State on Sept. 26, 2009. He now has seven plays in his career of 71 yards or more and 12 of at least 50. "It's almost to a point where I'm not surprised, but he made a few more plays against Nevada that make you marvel at how he can make plays," praised Baldwin. "Even when things aren't there he is able to make them. He has a toughness and grit to him -- he bangs it up in there so he's not just a fast guy. He's a special football player and obviously the big-play guy in our offense." In other Eastern news, former Eags tight end Nathan Overbay has been signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad after being released by the Denver Broncos.
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