Jim Mullin
CFL.ca
It took a while for Scott McCuaig to get the respect that was due.
The UBC Thunderbird rush end led the CIS in sacks in 2007 with 11, tying a Canada West record held by T-Bird alum Tyson St. James. While the product of Surrey’s Holy Cross High School was named to the 2007 Canada West All-Star team, he was overlooked as the nominee for the J.P. Metras Outstanding Lineman award. Manitoba’s Justin Cooper, who had two less tackles and four fewer sacks got the nod.
Getting ignored, and working through it was just another day at the office for the record setting pass rusher.
“Not getting the recognition at the national level or at the conference level is nothing new to me,” McCuaig said at the start of 2008 training camp.
“I didn’t get awards in high school and was overlooked for the all-stars in Junior. It just means that I’ll work that much more this year, and the recognition will eventually come.”
People finally started to pay attention nationally in 2008. He continued to menace quarterbacks in the Canada West, leading the loop and the entire country with 9.5 sacks. He toppled the all-time Canada West record for career sacks (27.5) and career sack yards (174 yards) in his four years at Point Grey.
After all of that, he was finally a unanimous choice for the Can West all-star team, named a CIS First-Team All-Canadian, and was the J.P Metras Lineman of the Year representative for the west.
Perhaps the most important aspect of McCuaig’s game was how he committed himself to playing special teams in 2008 to get noticed by CFL scouts.
“I think it was key that I showed something on special teams this year,” McCuaig said.
“I got a fair amount of my tackles on specials and blocked a punt. Hopefully that gets some notice because the way to get into the CFL is by playing special teams.”
In addition to his dominant pass rushing stats, in his four year career at UBC McCuaig has blocked two punts, blocked a field goal, registered two interceptions with 10 pass break ups, recovered four fumbles and forced five more.
McCuaig started the season at 6’4”, 230 pounds, and has been working specifically to build up strength while not losing any of his trademark speed. He hopes to be at 242 pounds when he reaches the CFL Evaluation Camp.
UBC head coach Ted Goveia says a CFL team would be making a mistake if they were just to regard what McCuaig could achieve in the pro game based on his size from the 2008 season.
“Sometimes he’s judged based on size and what he looks like, but the reality is he can play,” Goviea said.
“It will take Scott a year or two to adjust, but there is a real opportunity for him to play and be successful in the CFL.”
One scout who is a believer is Canadian football hall of famer Cal Murphy. While making his rounds as the Canadian Scout for the Indianapolis Colts, the former head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders can’t help but offer McCuaig’s name as a player who has a future in the pro game.
“He’s very good athletically,” Murphy said.
“I know he has to get stronger and fill out some more, but I think he’s a very good prospect at linebacker.”
That’s the dilemma with McCuaig. Where do you place a 6’4”, 240 pound product who has proven at the university level that he is a dominant rush end, but has the physical attributes to be a linebacker at the pro level?
Does that officially make him a ‘tweener’?
“Tweener. That hits the nail right on the head with McCuaig,” Murphy said.
McCuaig finds it hard to disagree with the label of being part linebacker, part lineman.
“I would agree with (Murphy) a little bit that I’m what they call a ‘tweener’ and because of my versatility there has been talk of moving me to linebacker.”
However, Murphy says that McCuaig has a rare quality that makes an experienced football person take notice. The UBC sack master plays every down in fifth gear.
“It doesn’t matter if he’s linebacker or a rush end, the thing I saw is that he certainly plays every play. Every play. And that’s something that you have to look for when you’re finding a player as well.”
McCuaig is humbled by Murphy’s positive assessment.
“I’m pretty honoured that he would see something like that in my play. Honestly, it’s hard to know what to say when you hear that coming from someone with his stature and experience.”
However, there is nothing more that McCuaig likes on the football field than hitting quarterbacks.
“I’ll be happy to get on a roster and learn the game over the next two to three years. But in the end, I’m a pass rusher at heart.”
Jim Mullin is the Sports Director at CKNW 980 in Vancouver. He is the play-by-play voice of Canada West Football on SHAW TV. In 2009, he will broadcast his 13th season of university football on the coast. He is also the founder of the University Football Reporters of Canada.
