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For Rutgers football, facing a top-notch Michigan team on the road is going to be a challenge. But with Aron Cruickshank on the field, the Scarlet Knights will have a chance against the No. 19 Wolverines.
Especially if the junior wide receiver can get into the open field with the ball in his hands.
Cruickshank has been tremendous for the 3-0 Scarlet Knights through their undefeated run in out-of-conference play, showcasing his elite speed and shiftiness. Now with a huge step up in competition, Rutgers could get a major boost in Ann Arbor if Cruickshank can run wild.
So far this season, Cruickshank has 10 catches for 72 yards but it has been his impact on special teams that is making a difference. He has six punt returns for 161 yards and a touchdown as well as six kickoff returns for 157 yards.
In the second quarter of this past Saturday’s 45-13 win over Delaware, Cruickshank had a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown. The play not only blew the game wide-open, but it also showcased just how much of a playmaker Cruickshank can be in the open field with the ball in his hands.
“I was very excited coming into the year, I thought Aron could be an explosive threat and he’s started off the season being just that. Now, we’re going into Big Ten play so everything goes up to here,” Schiano told reporters on Monday, raising his hand to show the level of conference play.
“It’s harder to do that – what he does in the Big Ten, so let’s see. He is a great returner – like the return on Saturday – he got some great supporting cast blocks but there were a couple points on that touchdown run where he just went right, went left and then went really fast. There were people there, he just ran away from [them]. He’s individually very talented. I think the unit – both [kickoff return] and punt return – are doing a good job as well.”
Aron Cruickshank (@Ac_Hollywood_) is a dynamo with the ball in his hands.
His performance this weekend vs. Delaware earned him @B1Gfootball co-Special Teams Player of the Week. 🌬️ @RFootball pic.twitter.com/soTr6oayrJ
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 20, 2021
Cruickshank is the current Big Ten co-Special Teams Player of the Week.
This is Cruickshank’s second year at Rutgers, having transferred from Wisconsin last offseason. Last season for Rutgers, he had 37 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown. Cruickshank also had 29 punt returns for 671 yards and two touchdowns in nine Big Ten games in 2020.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh raved about Rutgers this week, including the program’s special teams which he called “really good.”