Two Cavaliers Named Football News All-Americans

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Nov. 23, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia tailback Thomas Jones and centerJohn St. Clair have been named to the Football News All-American teams asselected by the publication’s editorial staff.

Jones, a senior from Big Stone Gap, Va., was named to the Football NewsAll-American first team in recognition of his outstanding season this yearwhen he set Atlantic Coast Conference single-season records for most yardsrushing (1,798) and all-purpose yards (2,054). He is third in the nation inrushing and second in all-purpose yards.

This marks the second year in a row Jones has led the ACC in rushing,becoming the first player since Ethan Horton of North Carolina (1983-84) tolead the conference in back-to-back seasons.

Jones also led the ACC in rushing touchdowns (16), total touchdowns (17)and receptions by a running back (22) this season. His four 200-yard gamesin ’99 tied for the national lead and is the most ever in a season by anACC player. Prior to this season, the ACC record for career 200-yard gameswas three-Jones finishes his career with six. All told, Jones owns at leastseven ACC and 14 school records.

St. Clair, a senior from Roanoke, Va., was named a Football Newssecond-team All-American. He played a major role this fall in helping pavethe way for Jones’ record-setting campaign. A two-year starter at centerfor the Cavaliers, St. Clair is a mainstay of an offensive line that keysone of the nation’s most balanced offenses. Virginia averaged 191. 5 yardsrushing and 211.0 yards passing this season en route to a 7-4 record.

Jones is the first UVa running back to receive first-team All-Americanhonors since Jim Bakhtiar in 1957. St. Clair is the first center in schoolhistory named to an All-American team.