Ashton Jones is seventh on the team in tackles with 29 stops./Christopher Millette/Erie Times-News

Ashton Jones came into his senior year at Gannon with 17 total tackles in his two seasons there after a year at Erie Community College in New York.

This season, the Erie native and Strong Vincent High graduate has 18 solo tackles alone.

“It’s just reassurance that I’m able to play,” Jones said.  “My number was called. So to go in and try to help the team out, I’m just doing my best to do whatever the team needs.”

The 5-10, 180-pound Jones has 29 total stops this season for the Knights (1-6, 0-4 PSAC West), who play No. 14-ranked California (Pa.) (6-1, 4-0) Saturday at noon for their homecoming game.

“He’s done it the long road and has earned it,” first-year Gannon coach Brad Rzyczycki said. “No one walked in and said, ‘Alright, here’s your position. I don’t care if you made a mistake or not.’ He’s done it through practice. He’s performed in games where he’s gotten better.

“…If there is anyone on this team that has earned playing time, Ashton has earned playing time.”

In his first start this season, Jones had a career-high 12 total stops in last week’s 38-29 loss to rival Mercyhurst.

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Justin Caliste saw daylight once again.

Then he was down — and out.

The electrifying Gannon sophomore returner had already returned a punt for a touchdown in Saturday’s game against rival Mercyhurst that knotted it at 14-14 in the second quarter.

Then early in the third quarter with his team down 31-14, Caliste went down with an ankle injury and never returned. Gannon lost 38-29.

“I tried to make a cut and next thing you know, I felt my foot sideways on the ground,” he said. “Probably the worst pain I’ve felt due to my ankle.”

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Mercyhurst travels to Gannon for today’s PSAC West showdown against the rival Knights at noon. Check out players and coaches from both sides talk about this heated rivalry.

Mercyhurst  junior quarterback Anthony Vendemia will look to lead the Lakers to a win against PSAC West rival Gannon on Saturday at noon at Gannon University Field.

A reserve last season, Vendemia replaced injured starter Travis Rearick in last season’s stunning 30-27 loss to the Knights.

Gannon University heads into Saturday’s PSAC West rivalry game at Edinboro University with an 0-6 record against the Fighting Scots (2-2, 1-1).

The Knights (1-4, 0-2) have dropped four straight games to Edinboro since joining the PSAC. Check out players and coaches from both sides talk about the upcoming showdown at Sox Harrison Stadium.

First-year Gannon University coach Brad Rzyczycki talks about his relationship with Lake Erie College coach Mark McNellie before the Knights play the Storm on Thursday night at Gannon University Field.

A Mercyhurst graduate, Rzyczycki played when McNellie was an assistant for the Lakers.

Gannon players Josh Williams of Waterford, Alex Papson, Matt Jones, Ian Jeffers and first-year head coach Brad Rzyczycki talk about Thursday night’s season opener against Lake Erie College at Gannon University Field.

Gannon University first-year head coach Brad Rzyczycki and seniors Ian Jeffers and John Petrigac talk about the Knights being picked to finish sixth in the PSAC West at today’s PSAC West media day in Slippery Rock.

Jonathon Jones was instrumental in getting Matt to go to Gannon./Democrat and Chronicle Media Group

Here’s a little history lesson as to how Jonathon Jones and Matt Jones both ended up at Gannon.

Matt is older than Jonathon, but Matt was being recruited by several NCAA Division II schools. According to the Tampa Tribune, Jones was part of a 2008 recruiting class at Syracuse.

“We kind of knew he had some legitimate situations going on,” Gannon coach Jim Kiernan said. “That was going to be the direction.”

After that fell through, Matt went to a Milford Prep. According to the University of Buffalo website, Matt was part of Buffalo’s 2009 recruiting class coming out of Milford Prep.

“Didn’t work out for me,” said Matt Jones, who struggled getting his SAT scores. “I didn’t really know where I was to go next.”

During this time, Gannon was recruiting Jonathon. Seeing the process from afar regarding Matt Jones, Kiernan said he told them and his family that a spot would always be there for him at Gannon.

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A starter at defensive end, Gannon fifth-year senior senior Cory Borden plays with high spirit and enthusiasm. Last season, he had 29 total tackles.

So Erie Times-News reporter Duane Rankin caught up with the Twinsburg, Ohio native and talked with him about a variety of topics that included what actor would play him in a movie.

The Knights open the 2011 season tonight at 7 at Lake Erie College (Ohio). Gannon is coming off a second consecutive 6-5 season. Gannon hadn’t had back-to-back winning seasons since 1994-95.