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USC football pulled off what could be the fake of the century during Friday night’s blowout win over Northwestern.
Punter Sam Johnson was hailed as a hero after he appeared to fake an incredible punt by completing a 10-yard pass to Tanook Hines at the start of the second quarter on fourth-and-six. The play extended the drive, resulting in Jayden Maiava’s touchdown.
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)
But it wasn’t Johnson’s game to take credit for.
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Third-string quarterback Sam Huard, wearing the same No. 80 jersey as Johnson, was actually the one behind the pass. And the trick itself? Completely legal.
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.
Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Huard (7) warms up before a college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana on September 13, 2025. (Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“It was just a thought out thing,” Riley said. “Had it at the right time and we had confidence in it and Sam stepped in and made a good throw.”
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Riley said the change was in place for weeks and jokingly thanked reporters for not posting it on social media.
“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 called it a “lesson.”
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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“Didn’t show up on the list online. Didn’t show up anywhere else,” he said. “But they legitimately submitted that. Was on the game-day roster that was here at the Coliseum. And the lesson I’ve learned for the rest of my career is that we arrive at a facility, we’re going to go through it with a fine-tooth comb and look for any of the potential problems.”
