(Photo by Icon Sports Media)

In Pete King’s Monday Morning Quarterback awards section this week, he wrote about former USC linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews. Both were his defensive players of the week, or as he called it “the USC rookie linebacker alumni section.”

Here is what King has to say about Brian Cushing:

The Texans went to Cincinnati and laid a 28-17 beatdown on the red-hot Bengals, thanks to four touchdown passes from Schaub and two important second-half turnovers by Cushing, who forced fumbles in the third and fourth quarters that Houston recovered. Cushing added an interception on the Bengals’ last drive of the day. For the season, he’s led the Texans in tackles in four of their six games.

And Clay Matthews:

In the Pack’s 26-0 whitewashing of Detroit, Matthews had two sacks, another tackle for loss, a pass batted down and five tackles. Green Bay held Detroit to 71 net passing yards, and Matthews played the biggest role.

(AP Photo)

Cushing and Matthews were also nominated for this weeks Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week. To vote for either of them click here.

MONDAY MORNING QB [cnnsi]
Nominees for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week [nfl.com]