WATCH: USC executes perfect fake punt return to score first TD vs. UCLA
By Adam Spencer
Published:
USC and UCLA’s annual rivalry game was supposed to be a meeting of two teams with NFL-worthy quarterbacks in the Trojans’ Sam Darnold and the Bruins’ Josh Rosen.
However, the first touchdown of the game was scored via special teams, as the Trojans’ punt-return unit recorded an incredible fake punt return.
As you can see in the video below, the punt goes to UCLA’s right, but the returner on the opposite side for USC pretends to field it. From there, the actual USC returner has plenty of running room and returns it for a long touchdown:
#USC ran a beautiful fake punt return that led to a Michael Pittman 72-yard touchdown. pic.twitter.com/wa8Os2ABve
— Max Meyer (@TheMaxMeyer) November 19, 2017
USC took a 7-0 lead with that big play, which helped the Trojans keep their slim College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Whether or not we see any further trickery from USC remains to be seen, but it has already worked quite well once for the Trojans.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
