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USC’s deceptive fake punt using 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 issued a statement Sunday after Huard went viral on social media following the second-quarter stunt.
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 Sept. 13, 2025. (Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Northwestern was fooled on 4th and 6 when Huard, wearing the same number 80 as punter Sam Johnson, came onto the field for a fake punt. He completed a 10-yard pass to Tanook Hines for a new series of downs that resulted in Jayden Maiava’s touchdown.
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Citing the NCAA rule on “unfair tactics,” the Big Ten said USC should have been assessed a 15-yard penalty because Huard entered as a punter, not a quarterback.
“If a foul was identified when #80 (Johnson) entered the game as a punter, 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 during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, on November 7, 2025. (Harry How/Getty Images)
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Huard, despite wearing the No. 7 jersey earlier this year, was officially named to the roster this week with the new number, a change coach Lincoln Riley quietly made. College football teams typically feature two players wearing the same number, but rules prohibit players in the same position from doing so.
Riley said the change had been in place for weeks and jokingly thanked reporters for not posting it on social media.
Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Huard (80) leads the sideline after a college football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, on November 7, 2025. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“You guys have to pay attention,” he said. “Seriously, it’s been there for three weeks. I’m glad none of you put it on Twitter.”
Northwestern coach David Braun admitted after the game that the jersey change was done “legally.”
