SYRACUSE (AP) -- It's a safe bet that Syracuse nose tackle Arthur Jones will never stop smiling.

Even though impending knee surgery will force the senior captain to miss the final three games of his college career, the heart and soul of the Orange defense is still all smiles as he relishes the remaining time with his teammates.

"I'm handling it in a positive way," Jones said Wednesday in his first appearance since the university announced he had a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee that will require surgery. "I've been down this road before. Any time with injuries, you've got to stay positive. That's the best thing. It helps you recover faster. I'm a fast-healing guy."

Jones, an All-Big East performer, was a force again this year after recovering from a torn pectoral muscle during the offseason. He was the guy opposing coaches feared most, and for good reason. He put a big target on his back a year ago when he registered 15 tackles, four for losses of 24 yards, in a one-point win at Notre Dame.

When Penn State coach Joe Paterno was asked what worried him most prior to hosting Syracuse in September, he simply answered: "Number 97."

Jones, whose infectious smile off the field belies a fierce, competitive side when he lines up, finishes his college career with 38.5 career tackles for loss, the most in Syracuse history by an interior defensive lineman, and his 145 career tackles ties for 10th all-time on the school list for tackles by a down lineman. He's a candidate for the Nagurski and Outland trophies and the Bednarik Award.

"When I walked around this campus yesterday, people kept saying, 'I'm sorry. I feel sad,"' said Jones, the son of a pastor from Endicott, N.Y. "I said, 'Don't be. It's football. It's a risk you take."'

What is most admirable about the 293-pound defensive stalwart is that he returned for his final year of eligibility considering the team's free-fall during his time here - Syracuse has averaged three wins a season since 2006 - and the lure of the NFL. He was projected as a late second- or early third-round pick after last season.

Though the pectoral injury suffered last February probably made that decision a little easier - Jones called it a blessing in disguise - he still returned to play under a new coaching staff and was intent on helping rookie head coach Doug Marrone get the program turned around.

"I've had a fantastic five years playing at this great university. I'm definitely going to miss it," Jones said. "It's been fun. No regrets. It's headed in the right direction. It's time to move on."

Jones, who has consistently been double-teamed by opponents, injured his knee in the first quarter at Pittsburgh on Saturday. He had a brace put on the knee and continued to play, but an MRI on Monday revealed the tear.

"This is a big loss," safety Shamarko Thomas said. "He was the captain of the defense. It's not going to bring us down, though. It's just going to motivate us to push harder, make the season better."

Although Jones probably could have played the final three games, future riches in the NFL beckon.

"Me messing it up worse could have ended my career. It's smart to get it taken care of," said the 23-year-old Jones, who plans to play in the Senior Bowl in January. "You get that little man talking in your head and you think your career is over. I'm a testimony to adversity. I'll be fine. This won't be the last time you hear the name of Art Jones. I promise you that.

"When I come back here next year and watch them (the Orange) destroy teams, I'm going to be happy I was part of turning it around."

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