Aron Cruickshank made a statement on the national stage.
Things were looking pretty bad for Wisconsin right off the bat in this one.
Oregon marched down the field with ease on the first drive of the game, capping it with a four-yard touchdown run from quarterback Justin Herbert. It appeared as though the Badgers were going to be in for a long night. However, the momentum did not last long for the Ducks.
As he did when Wisconsin was in need of a big play in the Nebraska game earlier in the season after the Cornhuskers had just scored a backbreaking touchdown, Aron Cruickshank proceeded to take Oregon’s ensuing kickoff all the way back for an electrifying score, this one for 95 yards.
LOOK AT THAT SPEED 😳 pic.twitter.com/ec8ju8gxHA
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2020
While that was the play that he will be remembered for in the years to come, there was more to the game-breaking sophomore’s Rose Bowl performance than that touchdown: Cruickshank also had three other returns for a combined 99 yards, for a total of 194. The Badgers needed every one of them.
Now ranked No. 9 nationally in average return yards, Cruickshank has clearly established himself as one of college football’s most dangerous returners. The next step for him will be to become more involved in Wisconsin’s offense.
Cruickshank has shown time and time again how deadly he is with the ball in his hands, and not just on returns, but on plays like jet sweeps as well. I think it’s safe to say Paul Chryst is likely to increasingly find ways to get him involved more offensively next season, especially with the playmaking vacuum Taylor will leave with his departure.
Perhaps his big outing last night will serve as a springboard for Cruickshank into next season and set the tone for a breakout junior campaign.