Football: Former Owl Cruikshank Leaving Mark on NFL Playoffs

Glendora, CA - Former Citrus College defensive back Dane Cruikshank has been leaving his mark on the 2020 National Football League Playoffs. The former Owl and former Arizona Wildcat, had a big play for the NFL's Tennessee Titans in Saturday afternoon's upset of AFC #1 seed Baltimore Ravens. 

In the second to last drive for Baltimore, Cruikshank helped put the icing on the cake for Saturday's upset breaking up a pass on a crucial 4th and 5th on the Tennessee 16-yard line, when he broke up a Lamar Jackson (the presumptive NFL MVP) pass to Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews. Breaking up the pass prevented a Baltimore touchdown that could have made it a one-possession game with just under five minutes to go. 

Cruikshank played two seasons for Citrus College, starting out his career as a wideout for the Owls in 2013. After catching four balls for a 147 yards and a touchdown. Cruikshank made his bones as a kick returner early on, retuning five kicks for 103 yards that freshman season. In 2014, Cruikshank transitioned to defensive back, where he started all 10 games. Cruikshank had 45 tackles, one for a loss, an interception, and four pass break-ups. He was named an All-SCFA National Division Central League 2nd team honoree for his efforts.

From Citrus, Cruikshank moved on to the University of Arizona. With the Wildcats, Cruikshank started 25 games over his two seasons, amassing 108 tackles, five interceptions, and 17 passes defended. Cruikshank was voted one of four season captains by his teammate as a senior. That off-season, Cruikshank would be taken with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Cruikshank and the Titans' post-season run continues this weekend when they travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Kick-off of the 2020 AFC Championship Game, is set for 12:05 PM Pacific Standard Time on CBS