Ricky Jones returned to Indiana wanting to leave his mark on the program’s wide receiver position group.

Now, the redshirt senior is leaving his mark in other areas after being named special teams player of the week for his efforts with that unit against Northwestern.

“Ricky Jones on the cover team had a couple of great tackles, a blocked punt, two great tackles on kickoff coverage,” Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson said. “The kid is a senior, all the catches he's playing. Guys want a chance to have an NFL look, you've got to be good on special teams.

In the Hoosiers’ 24-14 loss at Northwestern last Saturday, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Jones recorded the first blocked punt of his career.

The ensuing recovery set up the Hoosiers at their own 48-yard line. Although the drive was unsuccessful, it marked the second consecutive week Indiana’s special team blocked a kick during a game.

Jones also finished the game with seven catches for 73 yards, second-most on the team behind sophomore wide receiver Nick Westbrook’s 10 receptions for 123 yards.

At his weekly radio show Wednesday, Wilson said Jones is showing value to NFL teams by making plays on special teams in addition to his performances on offense.

“Guys want a chance to have an NFL look, you've got to be good on special teams,” Wilson said.

Indiana will need Jones’ efforts from the entire punt coverage unit Saturday against Maryland.

The Terrapins’ net punting of 38 yards per game ranks 57th in the nation and third in the Big Ten. Their punting unit also allows the fourth-fewest return yards at 5.7 yards per return.

However, if the last two weeks are any indication, Indiana likes its chances – and Jones’ – on Saturday.

Through seven games, Jones has the second-most receptions and receiving yards on the team and one receiving touchdown. Although the receptions are right about the amount he had by the same point last season, the receiving yards and touchdowns are down by 85 and three respectively.

Still, Wilson is appreciative of Jones’ efforts even though the Sarasota, Florida, native’s season may not be going exactly as planned.

“For him to show up as a senior and the year's not going probably the way he drew it up, and here's a guy that's playing well,” Wilson said. “That's a great, great sign.”