Overview
- Early in the second quarter Friday, third-string quarterback Sam Huard wore No. 80, lined up as punter, and threw a 10-yard pass to Tanook Hines to extend a drive that led to a touchdown in USC’s 38-17 win over Northwestern.
- In a Sunday statement, the Big Ten cited NCAA Rule 9-2-2-d on unfair tactics—prohibiting two players at the same position from wearing the same number—and said the action warranted a team unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with 15 yards enforced.
- Huard and punter Sam Johnson were both listed as No. 80 on USC’s game-day roster; the league said the foul would apply when Johnson later entered as the punter after Huard had played that position under the same number.
- The play was not flagged during the game and remains in the official record while the conference continues its review with USC and Northwestern.
- Rules experts, including FOX’s Mike Pereira, argued the maneuver was illegal under the numbering provision, while Northwestern’s David Braun accepted responsibility for not catching the roster change; media noted a similar prior tactic by Bowling Green.