USC's Su'a Cravens 'liking' new position after big game vs. Oregon State
Su'a Cravens may be the best sophomore safety in the country. On Saturday night he proved he's also one fine Sam linebacker.
After some initial pushback -- Cravens was on record saying he came to USC to play safety -- the USC sophomore has come around to the idea of playing the Sam spot, citing wherever the team needs him to play, he'll play.
Getting the start at Sam in USC's 35-10 win over Oregon State on Saturday night at the Coliseum, Cravens did what Cravens does -- make plays.
"He showed (a lot) of athleticism and he just went out here and played his heart, as he should, and when you got a guy like that, you can't stop him," linebacker Hayes Pullard said.
Last season during USC's trip to Corvallis, Cravens watched from the sidelines as the Trojans picked off talented OSU quarterback Sean Mannion three times.
Cravens figured he'd get in on the act as well this time around. From his Sam spot he jumped a route, picking off Mannion, and taking it 31 yards untouched for the game's first score.
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"I just want to make plays on the ball," Cravens said. "I didn't want to second guess myself and I think that was the problem when I first got moved to the 'backer position. I was thinking too much and this game I just really (thought) I see something just go and if you make a mistake, oh well, live with it."
His most impressive play of the night, however, won't show up in the stat sheet.
In the third quarter, Mannion completed a pass to Ricky Ortiz. Cravens wrestled the fullback to the turf while snatching the ball from his grasps and securing the possession all in one motion. The play was nullified because of a face mask penalty on Pullard.
Making his mark on defense and special teams, he led the team in tackles with six on the night, including a sack and two tackles for loss.
His reach extended beyond defense and special teams. It also went to the offensive side of the ball. Cravens was also a motivating factor for a USC offense that could only manage 50 yards in the first quarter. They finished the game with 35 points and 461 yards of total offense against an Oregon State defense that was ranked sixth in the country coming into Saturday.
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"Su'a's pick six really got the crowd in it, got us pumped up, and got the offense energized, and we started to get a rhythm," quarterback Cody Kessler said.
As it turns out, Sam isn't so bad after all.
"I'm liking it," Cravens said of the Sam position. "But (it's) Sam this week, it might be safety next week so we'll see."
