USC Stuns Northwestern with Trick Play: Backup QB Impersonates Punter
In an impressive display of strategy, the University of Southern California (USC) executed a trick play to secure a 38-17 victory against Northwestern. The pivotal moment occurred when backup quarterback Sam Huard donned the No. 80 jersey, the same number as the punter, Sam Johnson, as USC prepared to punt.
Trick Play Details
During the second quarter, Huard took the snap, mimicking the punter’s movements, and successfully passed to Tanook Hines. This play resulted in a critical 10-yard gain, earning a first down for USC. Following this successful trick play, starting quarterback Jayden Maiava finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown run.
Roster Adjustments and Strategy
- USC officially altered Huard’s number to No. 80 on the game day roster submitted to Northwestern.
- Despite being listed as No. 7 online, the game day roster caused confusion for Northwestern.
- Head Coach David Braun noted that they were unaware of Huard’s temporary number change, which impacted their defensive strategy.
Coach Braun stated, “We will go over that with a fine-tooth comb and look for any potential issues.” He emphasized that if they had identified Huard in the game, they would have adjusted their defensive coverage accordingly.
Game Statistics and Impact
USC’s offense was formidable, generating 482 yards over 64 plays. This win improved USC’s overall record to 7-2 and boosted their Big Ten record to 5-1. Northwestern, on the other hand, fell to 5-4 and now faces a challenging path to bowl eligibility, needing one win from their final three games against ranked Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois.
