Three players from the University of Southern California (USC) made notable jersey number changes for their game against Iowa. Quarterback Sam Huard and punter Sam Johnson were both listed as wearing No. 0, while receiver Zacharyus Williams, who typically dons that number, was assigned No. 80 for this game. This shift follows an earlier game where Huard and Johnson wore No. 80 to execute a controversial trick play involving a fake punt against Northwestern.
The decision to switch jersey numbers has sparked considerable discussion, particularly after the Big Ten Conference issued a statement indicating that a penalty should have been enforced during that trick play. According to the rules, two players occupying the same position cannot wear identical numbers on the field. Despite this, USC head coach Lincoln Riley defended the play, asserting it was “entirely legal,” thereby drawing attention from various media outlets and sports analysts.
The trick play received significant scrutiny, with notable personalities like Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports calling the Trojans “dirtbags” for their approach. In response, former USC quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst Matt Leinart labeled Portnoy’s comments as his “worst rant of the year.” During the “Big Noon Kickoff” show, Leinart presented Portnoy with a USC No. 80 jersey signed by Huard, stating, “I want to apologize for absolutely nothing, Dave.”
Game Captains and Lineup Changes
In addition to the jersey number changes, several players were appointed as game captains for the matchup against Iowa. These included long snapper Hank Pepper, linebacker Eric Gentry, quarterback Jayden Maiava, defensive tackle Devan Thompkins, offensive lineman Tobias Raymond, and wide receiver Asante Das. This marks Das’ second consecutive week as a game captain, highlighting his significance to the team. Coach Riley expressed appreciation for Das’ contributions, stating, “He’s a phenomenal scout team player and is becoming a real leader on this team vocally, emotionally, challenging guys, pushing our standard, our core values.”
Riley emphasized that the selection of game captains is not solely based on who plays the most minutes. He stated, “These are organizations. These are like big families. It doesn’t always work like that.”
Another notable development involved offensive lineman Kilian O’Connor, who returned as the starting center for the first time since his injury in Week 5 against Illinois. O’Connor’s presence is significant as he steps in for J’Onre Reed, who was listed as “questionable” on the Big Ten pregame availability report.
The game against Iowa is crucial for USC as they seek to maintain momentum in their season, especially following their recent performances. With the changes in jersey numbers and the strategic adjustments made by the coaching staff, the Trojans are poised to showcase their adaptability on the field.
