In a masterstroke of deception that left Northwestern bewildered, No. 20 USC pulled off one of the most audacious fake punts in recent college football memory during Friday night’s 38-17 rout of the Wildcats at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum With the Trojans facing fourth-and-6 from Northwestern’s 45-yard line early in the second quarter, USC’s punt team trotted onto the field. But instead of punter Sam Johnson (No. 80), it was third-string quarterback Sam Huard — quietly listed as No. 80 for the week — under center, blending seamlessly in the upback’s uniform. The former five-star recruit from Washington, just a couple of inches shorter than Johnson, dropped back and rifled a 10-yard strike to wide receiver Tanook Hines for the first down. The ruse, which even fooled the announce team, extended the drive, paving the way for Jayden Maiava’s six-yard touchdown scamper and a 14-7 lead for USC. Huard, grinning ear-to-ear, high-fived teammates as he exited, his ploy fully legal under NCAA rules allowing dupli
