Arizona Football Alum Dane Cruikshank shining in the NFL

Arizona Football star Dane Cruikshank scored his first NFL touchdown on special teams in only his second game in his rookie season with the Tennessee Titans.

Arizona Football is missing one last season’s stars, Dane Cruikshank. But Dane is not looking back as he had himself a game playing on special teams against the Houston Texans last Sunday! He made a key tackle on punt return got his teammates excited and celebrating with him, but it was that touchdown that got the stadium to roar in jubilation.

About 10 minutes left in the first quarter, the score was tied 0-0, and the Tennessee Titans lined up for a punt on fourth down. But that’s not what Cruikshank’s coach called, he called a trick play.

The Titans left-handed safety Kevin Byard threw the ball to his fellow safety Dane-2-Smoove as he was racing to the end zone and he caught it and ran 66 yards for the touchdown. After that, he ran straight into the arms of Titan fans in the stands waiting for him. A couple of his teammates jumped in there with him and the crowd was roaring in appreciation.

After the game, Cruikshank explained the 66-yard touchdown catch,

“Hey, there was a call in the huddle, coach gave me the call and I just ran straight, caught the ball, that was it. It was a great feeling, we prepared for it all week. And like coach said, once we prepare for it we go out there on game day, we just gotta execute it.” said Dane, “Look at this fan base, fan base is crazy. I am just thankful to be a Titan at the end of the day and just really thankful to be in this position.

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Dane is making a statement in his rookie season on special teams in the NFL which is no easy feat. He helped the Titans new head coach Mike Vrabel their first win 20-17 over the Texans.  Ryan Succop, the Titans place-kicker, hit the game-winning field goal with one minute left in the game.

But there was another Pac-12 alum that made a statement in the game as well. USC’s Adoree Jackson caught his first interception in the NFL. It was not only an interception, but it was also an interception made in the Texans end zone saving a touchdown!

Jackson is a former Serra Gardena High School teammate of Khalil Tate. Jackson was drafted in the first round in the 2017 draft, and Cruikshank was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft. The quarterback for the Titans is former Pac-12 Oregon Duck Marcus Mariota.

You could say that three key former Pac-12 players made the difference in the game that led to the Titans win in front of their home crowd on Sunday. Tennessee does not have an NBA team but they do have a hockey team. The Titans fill the stadium and Cruikshank got a great taste of what it feels like to get love from Titan fans. What a sight to see and fun to watch over and over again.

Boy, the Arizona defense is really missing Dane Cruikshank, it will be interesting to see who steps up and fills the void. The more in-game experience the young Cats get the better they will be. Yeah, I am a glass half-full kind of person. Congrats to Dane as he kills it in the NFL! Bear Down!