Big Ten releases statement after USC quarterback wore punter’s number during fake punt
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
The Big Ten has come out with a statement after USC executed a fake punt on Friday, but did so after sending out its third-string quarterback with the punter’s number.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with teammates having the same number. But the NCAA rule book forbids players who play the same position to share a number.
That’s technically what happened on Friday in the Trojans’ win over Northwestern. The Trojans initially appeared to be setting up for a punt, sending out who the Wildcats thought was Sam Johnson (No. 80).
But it wasn’t Johnson. It was Sam Huard — who usually wears No. 7 — converting on 4th down to extend the drive.
“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 B1G’s statement read.
The Trojans went on to roll, 38-17, to improve to 7-2. They are on pace for their best record under Lincoln Riley. They’re also still in the hunt for a B1G Championship Game berth, with a conference championship appearing to be their only path to the College Football Playoff right now.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
