LOS ANGELES — It’s not odd to see teams run special team trick plays, but No. 21 Southern California pulled off one of the sneakiest fake punts you’ll ever see.
Against Northwestern on Friday, Nov. 7, the Trojans faced fourth down near midfield early in the second quarter. The punt team ran out onto the field, but when the play began, the punter looked like a seasoned quarterback, dropping back and delivering a dot left-handed to receiver Tanook Hines for the first down on a well-timed throw after standing tall in the pocket.
It looked impressive from the punter, No. 80 Sam Johnson.
However, that wasn’t the punter.
That was actually third-string quarterback Sam Huard. Listed as No. 7 on USC’s online roster, he was listed on the game day roster as No. 80.
A USC spokesperson confirmed Huard had his number changed to No. 80 for the game, a sneaky deception used by USC coach Lincoln Riley to execute the fake. It certainly faked out Fox broadcasters Jason Benetti and Robert Griffin III as people wondered if it was possible for players to change their numbers before a game.
Later in the game, Benetti clarified it was Huard that threw the pass, noting Huard is the nephew of his former broadcast partner, Brock Huard.
The fake punt turned out to pay off, as USC later scored a touchdown on the drive. Huard got a lot of love on the USC sideline, and according to sideline reporter Alexa Landestoy, he went to the tape to admire his work.
Lincoln Riley comments on fake punt
Riley told reporters they have to pay attention to the game notes because Huard had been No. 80 for three weeks. He joked he was glad ‘none of y’all put it on Twitter.’
‘It was just a well thought out thing by several of our staff members,’ Riley said. ‘It got added at the right time and we had confidence in it. Sam stepped in there, made a good throw, had a guy kind of in his face, was a good throw, made a nice play, and it was a key point of the game.’
USC would go on to beat Northwestern 38-17.