USC football executed a brilliant fake punt deception against Northwestern, with quarterback Sam Huard disguised as punter Sam Johnson to complete a crucial pass.

T he Northwestern Wildcats put up an early fight. However, the team couldn’t keep pace with the No. 20 USC Trojans. They fell 38–17 on Friday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. With both teams trading blows in the first half,

What did we learn from watching the Trojans take down Northwestern on Friday night? Here are five key takeaways:

USC's punter looked like a quarterback when he executed a fake punt. However, it was a quarterback that just wore the same number as the punter.

The Trojans unexpectedly send out third-string QB Sam Huard in the same uniform number as punter Sam Johnson, and his 10-yard pass to Tanook Hines extends a second-quarter drive that ends in a

The Trojans' defense, after giving up 14 points early, held Northwestern to just 3 points in the second half. The defense played its part in this game and ensured it would not allow Northwestern to make up any ground. Preston Stone played better than expected, but once USC's offense got ahead, he and the Wildcats could not respond.

The USC Trojans defeated the Northwestern Wildcats, 38-17, at the LA Memorial Coliseum on November 7, 2025 and The Sporting Tribune's Jordan Teller was there to capture the following TST Images.

Northwestern Wildcats WR Griffin Wilde dove in the end zone for a 4-yard TD, tying the game vs. the USC Trojans.