Cusano Battling for Playing Time

Senior linebacker Mark Cusano has returned from nagging injuries, but the defensive hero of the last two Notre Dame games isn’t starting, four games into his final season.

“I don’t know, I think the question is conditioning,” said Cusano, who has started since his sophomore year and was USC’s third-leading tackler last season. “I’m trying to make an impression running, getting out in front, and get back in shape.”

Coach Paul Hackett, cautious after the injuries, said sophomore Zeke Moreno will start again Saturday as Cusano gets back to 100% after hamstring and ankle injuries. He also said sophomore Ifeanyi Ohalete will start ahead of senior Grant Pearsall, who has recovered from a knee injury.

“Maybe they want to give playing time to the future,” Cusano said. “Watching film, I seem to be playing better and grading out better. You have no idea [how frustrating it can be.] All I can do is keep going to get my spot back.”

*

Tailback Chad Morton’s sore back kept him out of practice Wednesday, so even though Morton expects to be able to play Saturday, Petros Papadakis will start in his place because of Hackett’s no-start rule for players who don’t practice Wednesday.

Papadakis started against Oregon State after Morton sat out two days of practice because of the back strain, but Morton came in on the second series and rushed for 123 yards.

*

Freshman quarterback Jason Thomas is back on the field, an unusual measure for a player who is redshirting after undergoing ankle surgery to remove scar tissue.

“They don’t want him doing any running, but what I want is him listening to the reads, what’s being said, watching the signals,” Hackett said. “He needs to come out next spring like gangbusters.”

Hackett also acknowledges he thought about what Thomas might have added against Florida State.

“Absolutely. He can do so many things when things break down that the others can’t do.”