Big Ten will continue to review illegal USC fake punt play

Field Level Media|published: Sun 9th November, 17:43 2025

Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln (right) talks with Southern California Trojans punter Sam Johnson (80) in the first half against the Missouri State Bears at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Big Ten Conference confirmed a jersey violation by Southern California's backup quarterback in Friday's game against Northwestern and said Sunday that the situation will continue to be reviewed.

On a punt play in the second quarter, backup quarterback Sam Huard was in kick formation wearing the No. 80 jersey of punter Sam Johnson, who already had punted twice in the game. Huard threw a pass out of the formation to give USC a first down in an eventual 38-17 victory.

Despite the number confusion, the official statistics of the game show Huard, who normally wears No. 7, completing a 10-yard pass in the game.

According to the Big Ten, the number swap violated "NCAA Football Playing Rule 9, Section 2, Article 2," under the label of "Unfair Tactics." Paragraph D stated: "Two players playing the same position may not wear the same number during the game."

Had game officials recognized the number swap, a 15-yard penalty would have been assessed for "unsportsmanlike conduct." Instead of fourth-and-6, the Trojans would have been facing a fourth-and-21 play.

"The Big Ten will continue to review the situation with both institutions," the Big Ten said in a statement.

--Field Level Media

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