Big Ten issues statement on USC's fake punt strategy

I wonder what Big 10 will do? Issue specific ruling against same number for two players at same position? Penalize SC 15 yds on first possession against Iowa?

Don’t understand how a qb playing in deep shotgun is considered the same as a punter?

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ErikMcKinney said:

https://www.on3.com/teams/usc-trojans/news/big-ten-issues-statement-on-uscs-fake-punt-strategy

In other words...the NW coach went crying to the B1G. Here is the NW postgame.. Football - USC Postgame Press Conference (11/7/25) If you watch it...ULTIMATELY, Braun should take some responsibility and interesting how most of the issue couldn't possibly be his fault and called out some of the players. Anyway...what's with these whinny, temper tantrum coaches in the B1G.

Wait what? But they aren't the same position? This doenst make any sense

how can they say he played the same position when he never punted the ball?

Pudly76 said:

Don’t understand how a qb playing in deep shotgun is considered the same as a punter?

Lining up more than 10 yards deep with nobody between you and the snapper makes you a punter. That’s why they specify that he was 12 yards deep.

FightonOC said:

In other words...the NW coach went crying to the B1G. Here is the NW postgame.. Football - USC Postgame Press Conference (11/7/25) If you watch it...ULTIMATELY, Braun should take some responsibility and interesting how most of the issue couldn't possibly be his fault and called out some of the players. Anyway...what's with these whinny, temper tantrum coaches in the B1G.

He pretty much said it was his fault, that he learned a lesson and they would be going through game day rosters with a fine tooth comb from this point on.

It's too bad USC wasted this seemingly once-in-a-lifetime play on Northwestern. I would've much rather have saved it for Oregon or fucla.

ErikMcKinney said:

Lining up more than 10 yards deep with nobody between you and the snapper makes you a punter. That’s why they specify that he was 12 yards deep.

So there’s a rule restricting how deep a qb can set up and/or how shallow a punter can be?

The Lizard King said:

It's too bad USC wasted this seemingly once-in-a-lifetime play on Northwestern. I would've much rather have saved it for Oregon or fucla.

My solution is recruit a punter/QB I mean someone who is legit at both, but a better punter. That way, they ALWAYS have to defend the fake punt.

Pudly76 said:

So there’s a rule restricting how deep a qb can set up and/or how shallow a punter can be?

Yes.

BlemBlam said:

Yes.

I agree with this guy.. and he should know, he can cheat with the best of them.

Pudly76 said:

I agree with this guy.. and he should know, he can cheat with the best of them.

ErikMcKinney said:

Lining up more than 10 yards deep with nobody between you and the snapper makes you a punter. That’s why they specify that he was 12 yards deep.

Wouldn’t the three blockers be between Huard and the LS?

ErikMcKinney said:

Lining up more than 10 yards deep with nobody between you and the snapper makes you a punter. That’s why they specify that he was 12 yards deep.

Wouldn’t the three blockers be between Huard and the LS?

Georgetirebiter IV said:

Wouldn’t the three blockers be between Huard and the LS?

They aren’t directly behind the snapper between the snapper and punter. USC actually got flagged for illegal formation because a USC shield blocker was within the frame of the snapper. Thats a new rule this year.

ErikMcKinney said:

They aren’t directly behind the snapper between the snapper and punter. USC actually got flagged for illegal formation because a USC shield blocker was within the frame of the snapper. Thats a new rule this year.

So no more swinging gate blocking on punts?

Pudly76 said:

I agree with this guy.. and he should know, he can cheat with the best of them.

So my read of the rules is that if Jayden Maiava lined up out wide on offense, then USC has used a No. 14 at receiver and Ta’Mere Robinson could never line up out wide on offense. Which is why nobody has double numbers on guys who could be on the field for the same thing (offense/defense).