USC uses former 5-star QB on fake punt in wild first half against Northwestern

Recruiting geeks will remember Sam Huard as one of the 5-star quarterbacks that had the unfortunate luck of going through their senior year during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Now he's a third-string quarterback at USC and on Friday, he created special teams magic for the Trojans with a fake punt that caught everyone by surprise and led to the Trojans' second touchdown against Northwestern.

The Sam Huard files

Huard committed to Washington out of high school and was going to be the next great Huard to star at quarterback for the Huskies, like his father Damon Huard and uncle Brock Huard. He entered the program as the No. 2 QB, and started the Apple Cup as a true freshman, but the following season, Michael Penix Jr, transferred and Huard got stuck on the depth chart.

Since then, he's been to FCS Cal-Poly, where he started nine games, and then to Utah, where he didn't play. Now he's a senior with the Trojans and his first pass as a Trojan went for 10 yards to Tanook Hines and gave USC a first down.

Maiava giveth and taketh away

USC has a 21-14 lead over Northwestern, and it's been a battle all the way. The Wildcats have been tough and are using a balanced offense to keep things close while the Trojans have been led by another strong game from King Miller, who has 90 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava has been solid, throwing for 154 yards, a touchdown and a pick, but his big mistake led to his best play. Maiava threw an interception to Najee Story, and it looked like the Wildcats defensive lineman was headed for a pick six, but Maiava doesn't give up on the play and forces a fumble that goes through the end zone and gave the Trojans possession again.

USC scored three plays later.