The Huge Ten stated USC ought to have been penalized after having reserve quarterback Sam Huard put on the identical jersey quantity as major punter Sam Johnson and efficiently execute a pretend punt move in Friday’s win towards Northwestern.
Early within the second quarter, USC confronted fourth-and-6 and lined up in punt formation. Huard, the staff’s third-string quarterback, took the sphere sporting No. 80, which can be Johnson’s quantity, and positioned himself because the punter. Huard took the lengthy snap after which accomplished a 10-yard move to Tanook Hines. USC went on to attain a landing and take a 14-7 lead, finally profitable 38-17.
Each Huard and Johnson have been listed with No. 80 on USC’s game-day roster, however Huard seems as No. 7 on the staff’s on-line roster and within the sport notes for the Northwestern contest. Most school groups have a number of gamers with the identical jersey quantity, however usually they play on totally different models (offense/protection). USC doesn’t have gamers’ final names on the backs of its jersey, which may have helped the officers and Northwestern delineate between Huard and Johnson.
Northwestern coach David Braun took duty for the play, saying USC “did legally submit that” and that “it one hundred pc falls on me.”
However the Huge Ten cited an NCAA rule below “Unfair Techniques” that reads: “Two gamers taking part in the identical place could not put on the identical quantity in the course of the sport.”
“If a foul was recognized when #80 (Johnson) entered the sport as a punter, a Crew Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty would have been assessed leading to a 15-yard penalty from the earlier spot,” the league’s assertion reads. “The Huge Ten will proceed to evaluation the state of affairs with each establishments.”
USC coach Lincoln Riley stated the staff made Huard’s quantity change a number of weeks in the past and joked with reporters following the Northwestern sport: “You guys [have] acquired to concentrate. … I am glad none of you all put it on Twitter.”