Sports

USC Football Mocks Illegal Fake Punt Controversy In Response To Big Ten Backlash

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USC fake punt controversy mock
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC ran what, according to the Big Ten, should’ve been considered an illegal fake punt against Northwestern on Saturday. Lincoln Riley says otherwise.

Regardless of whether it was a fair play or not, the Trojans are having a good laugh.

The college football controversy did not have an impact on the final score. People are furious anyway!

USC lined up to punt on fourth down early in the second quarter. No. 80 set up to receive the punt.

No. 80 belongs to punter Sam Johnson so everything looked routine.

However, the Trojans also listed third-string quarterback Sam Huard as No. 80 on the roster and it was Huard who lined up as the punter, not Johnson. He completed a 10-yard pass on 4th-and-6.

The controversial fake punt led to a first down, which kept the drive alive. The drive went for six.

Although the touchdown ultimately did not matter in the final score, the Big Ten later released a statement to condemn the use of two No. 80s by USC. It should’ve been a penalty because two players of the same position cannot wear the same number.

“NCAA Football Playing Rule 9, Section 2, Article 2 is labeled ‘Unfair Tactics,’ with paragraph ‘d’ stating: ‘Two players playing the same position may not wear the same number during the game’ […]

“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.”

Lincoln Riley disagrees. (As does Connor Stalions, but that’s neither here nor there.)

“The fake punt was entirely legal,” he said. “Our guys did a fantastic job of executing it. And there’s not really a whole lot else to say.”

Fair enough. Right or wrong, what’s done is done.

USC doubled down!

Not only are the Trojans standing by the legality of the punt, they are actively mocking the controversy.

USC posted a short, 17-second clip on social media from a coffee shop near to campus. Order number 80 is ready for pickup for a customer named Sam. Both Sam Huard and Sam Johnson, wearing No. 80 jerseys, reached for the order. Classic mixup!

Meanwhile, not too far from the coffee shop, Sam’s jersey is now on sale at the bookstore. But which Sam? They’re both No. 80!

The Trojans are choosing to embrace the controversy. There is nothing more you can do about it!