USC’s deceptive fake punt with jersey change should have drawn penalty: Big Ten

USC’s deceptive fake punt by third-string quarterback Sam Huard, who was wearing the same jersey number as the team’s punter in the Trojans’ 38-17 win over Northwestern on Friday, should have resulted in a penalty, the Big Ten announced over the weekend.

The league released a statement Sunday after Huard went viral on social media following the stunt in the second quarter.

Northwestern was fooled on 4th and 6 when Huard, wearing the same No. 80 as punter Sam Johnson, entered the field to fake a punt. He completed a 10-yard pass to Tanook Hines for another set of downs that resulted in Jayden Maiava’s touchdown.

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Citing the NCAA “unfair tactics” rule, the Big Ten said USC should have been assessed a 15-yard penalty because Huard came in as a punter, not a quarterback.

“If a foul was identified when #80 (Johnson) entered the game as a player, a Team Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty would have been assessed, resulting in a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot,” the league’s statement read via ESPN. “The Big Ten will continue to review the situation with both institutions.”

Third-string quarterback Sam Huard (80) of the Southern California Trojans makes a pass on a fake punt in front of Ricky Ahumaraeze (10) of the Northwestern Wildcats for a first down in the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on Nov. 7, 2025. (Harry How/Getty Images)

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Huard, despite wearing the No. 7 jersey earlier this year, was officially listed on the roster this week with the new number, a change coach Lincoln Riley quietly made. College football teams often have two players wearing the same number, but the rules prohibit players at the same position from doing so.

Riley said the change was in place for weeks and jokingly thanked reporters for not putting it on social media.

Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Huard (80) leads the band after a college football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Southern California Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on November 7, 2025. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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“You must pay attention,” he said. “Seriously, it’s been there for three weeks. I’m glad none of you all put it on Twitter.”

Northwestern coach David Braun admitted after the game that the jersey change was “legally” submitted.