USC Sending Five Trojans to Under Armour Senior Bowl
Mobile, AL. (Dec. 28)---If defense does indeed win championships then the South squad in next month’s Under Armour Senior Bowl should have no problem winning their second straight game over the North. That’s because five members of the top ranked University of Southern California defense have accepted invitations to the 60th game on January 24th in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 pm (CT) and the game will be televised by the NFL Network.
The five USC players headed to Mobile next month are: linebackers Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews and defensive linemen Fili Moala and Kyle Moore. Of the five, three landed on various All-American lists this season. They are all members of a defensive unit that is ranked number one overall in the nation in total defense, surrendering just over 206 yards per game entering Thursday’s Rose Bowl against Penn State.
Maualuga is perhaps the most decorated and recognizable of the bunch. The long-haired linebacker won the Chuck Bednarik Award this season, which is given annually to the nation’s best defensive player. Maualuga was also named to nine different All-American first teams, including the Associated Press’ and Walter Camp’s. He earned Pac-10 defensive player of the year after leading the Trojans with 73 tackles in 2008. He also notched two interceptions and three pass break-ups.
Playing alongside Maualuga this season, Cushing racked up 66 total tackles, one interception and six pass break-ups. The Park Ridge, New Jersey native was named a SI.com first team All-American and first team All-Pac-10 in 2008.
Matthews is the fourth person from his family to play football at USC. He enters Thursday’s game against the Nittany Lions with 51 tackles on the season and 4.5 sacks. A first team Pac-10 All-Academic selection in 2008, Matthews is a former walk-on at the defensive end position. While Matthews can play both the defensive end and linebacker position, he will come to Mobile as a linebacker.
Moala and Moore anchor a Trojan defensive front that ranks fifth in the country in rushing defense. Moala, a defensive tackle, earned second team All-American honors by the Sporting News and third team honors by both the AP and Phil Steele. The 6-5, 295 pounder was also a first team All-Pac 10 selection and has 10 tackles for a loss on the season to go along with 4.5 sacks.
Moore was named the Trojans’ Most Inspirational Player in 2008. The defensive end leads the team with five sacks on the season. He also has 28 total tackles and one pass break-up. A two year starter for the Trojans, Moore was an Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 selection this season.
Tickets for the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket office (151 Dauphin Street), select Regions Bank locations, online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109.
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