Giants receiver cruises to huge popularity

Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

Victor Cruz has had a season full of improbable moments, and the Super Bowl is set to be another.

In less than six months, the obscure second-year wide receiver from the University of Massachusetts has set a single-season receiving record for the Giants and become one of the most popular athletes in the New York area.

He catches a pass, and the crowd screams “Cruuuuuuuuuuzzzzzz!” When he scores a touchdown, he draws cheers with his celebratory salsa. People even mimic his dance moves in the stands.

Now, when the Giants (12-7) face the Patriots (15-3) in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5, Cruz will get a chance to face New England safety James Ihedigbo — who served as his recruiting host when he visited UMass 41/2 years ago.

Ihedigbo exchanged text messages with Cruz before the Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in the AFC title game and New York edged San Francisco 20-17 in overtime in the NFC championship game, Cruz said Thursday.

“He goes: ‘We’re going to win our game, so I’ll see you in Indy.” I was like: ‘I’ll see you in Indy,’ and here we are.”

Cruz has fond memories of his time at UMass.

“It was a tremendous ride,” he said. “We understand how much of a small school it is, and how little guys get an opportunity to come out of that school.”

What Cruz has done with his opportunity is beyond belief. He missed most of his rookie season with a hamstring injury after making the team as a free agent — largely based on a three-touchdown performance in a preseason game against the Jets.

This year has been one eye-opening play after another, including five touchdown passes of at least 68 yards in length from Eli Manning. His 1,536 yards receiving are a single-season team record, along with his seven 100-yard games. His 82 catches in the regular season are tied for the second highest total in team history.

The 25-year-old is coming into the title game after catching 10 passes for 142 yards in New York’s win over the Niners in the rain. He has never been more confident.

The big game for Cruz this season was the third one, when he got his first start with Mario Manningham out with a concussion.

Cruz caught five passes for 110 yards, scoring on touchdowns of 74 and 28 yards.