Brian Cushing
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| Brian Cushing | |
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| College | Southern California |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | LB |
| Jersey # | 10 |
| Class | Senior |
| Nickname | Brian "The Teeth" Cushing |
| Career | 2005 – present |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Nationality | USA |
| Born | January 24, 1987 Park Ridge, New Jersey |
| High school | Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell, New Jersey |
| Awards | |
| 2007 All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention 2007 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP 2006 All-Pac-10 First Team 2005 Freshman All-American |
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Brian Cushing is a strongside linebacker for the University of Southern California Trojans football team.
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[edit] College career
Cushing shared the #10 with starting quarterback John David Booty from 2005 to 2007.
Cushing is on the 2007 preseason Phil Steele's All-America team and on the 2007 Bednarik Award and Lott Trophy watch lists.
Cushing also returned an onside kick by Notre Dame at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a touchdown in 2006.
On January 1, 2007, Cushing was named the Defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl Game, after recording 2½ sacks and forcing a third-quarter fumble that changed the momentum of the game.[1]
[edit] 2005 Season
Cushing made a surprise impact in 2005 as a first-year freshman linebacker, despite missing nearly half the season with a shoulder injury (torn left labrum) and a lingering high school ankle injury (floating cartilage). He started USC's last 4 games (versus California, Fresno State, UCLA and Texas) on the strong side after previously serving as an often-used backup there and a key special teams player. Overall in 2005 while appearing in 8 games (he missed the Arkansas, Oregon, Arizona State, Arizona and Notre Dame games after dislocating his shoulder before the Arkansas contest), he made 33 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, plus had 3 deflections, 2 fumble recoveries and a blocked punt that he returned 16 yards. He made 2005 Scout.com Freshman All-American. After the season, he had surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder and cartilage removal of his right ankle. As a starter, he led USC with 7 tackles at California, then added 4 stops, a deflection and a fumble recovery to set up a USC field goal against Fresno State, had 2 tackles, a fumble recovery and a deflection versus UCLA and had 1 tackle and 1 deflection against Texas. As a backup, he had 5 tackles against Stanford, 2 tackles and blocked a punt to set up a USC field goal at Washington, 1 tackle and forced a fumble that USC recovered for a touchdown at Hawaii and 1 stop versus Washington State.
[edit] 2006 Season
The promising Cushing is in the mix for significant playing time at linebacker as a sophomore in 2006. He missed 2006 spring drills while recuperating from shoulder surgery. Once Brian was 100% healthy, USC wanted to get Cushing out on the field as much as possible. Since all three-linebacker positions were solidified from spring/summer camp, head coach Pete Carroll went from the traditional 4-3 defense to a hybrid 3-4 defense. In this defensive scheme the front seven has one defensive lineman sacrificed for one extra linebacker. Coach Carroll and defensive coordinator Lou Holt wanted more speed rather than size on the field. Cushing is a linebacker who often acted like a rush end, even if he doesn't get down in a three-point stance. As a starter Cushing compiled some impressive statistics with a short amount of time to learn this new position. To understand what makes his statistics even more impressive was the nature of this hybrid role. In this hybrid role, Cushing was not on the field as much as the other 10 starters were on defense. Cushing was usually pulled off the field on every third down for a more orthodox pass rush during obvious third down and long passing situations. Cushing would see 31% less playing time, compared to his teammates. Overall in 2006 while appearing all 13 games he made 67 tackles, 47 were solo with 20 assists, including 16.5 tackles for a loss, he had 5 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles and a blocked punt that he returned 16 yards against Washington State. He made 2006 Pac-Ten first team and was also a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award. As a starter Cushing compiled some impressive statistics, especially with a new position to learn this past season. Brian Cushing finished his sophomore season in grand style, being awarded the Rose Bowl MVP against the University of Michigan. The Trojans won the game 32 to 18 with Cushing recording 8 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. He was also awarded the McKay Award for displaying the most competitive spirit on the team.
[edit] 2007 Season
Cushing, who did a standout job starting at defensive end in 2006, moves back to his natural strong side linebacker spot as a junior in 2007 and could be in line for post-season honors. He is on the "Watch Lists" for the 2007 Bednarik Award and Lott Trophy. He sat out most of 2007-spring practice with a strained hamstring. He also had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee following 2007 early spring practice. Cushing has returned to his original strong side linebacker position during summer camp. He currently measures 6’ 4” and weighs 245 lbs. As of August 14, 2007 Brian Cushing has solidified the starting position and will be waiting for the season to start September 1st at the L.A. Coliseum against the University of Idaho.
[edit] High School career
He attended Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey. Cushing led the Crusaders to the 2004 Group IV State Championship over Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Cushing was named "2004 North Jersey Player of the Year" by The Record (Bergen County).[2] Cushing played in the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
[edit] Before high school
Cushing was born in Park Ridge, New Jersey and played for their recreational football team, and the Park Ridge Athletic Association.
[edit] References
- ^ USC in parade of star power: Trojans jettison Michigan 'claim', New York Daily News, January 2, 2006
- ^ Rosen, Dan. "B.C. gave it his all for BC", The Record (Bergen County), December 12, 2004. Accessed December 1, 2007. "The 6-foot-3, 225-pound two-way standout led the Crusaders to a State title with a 13-10 win over archrival Don Bosco on Dec. 3, and is The Record's 2004 North Jersey Player of the Year."
