Connor Stallions is known around the CFB fraternity for all the wrong reasons because of what happened months ago. But this time, the Michigan outcast finds a supporting tone for another Big Ten team, not Michigan.

During the USC vs. Northwestern game, Lincoln Riley made a sly move by swapping out his punter for backup QB Sam Huard in the same jersey number and fooling everyone with a slick fake punt. But the fans weren’t having it. Calls of “bush league” and “garbage” echoed across social media, with ex-NFLer George Wrighster demanding a penalty.

On the other hand, the USC HC wouldn’t let the controversy slide without an explanation. At the post-game presser, he shrugged it off, saying he had set the number swap weeks earlier as part of the plan. He said, “It was a well-thought-out thing,” but even with that confident move, he had already done the damage.

The Big Ten ruled against the play, calling it an “unfair tactic.” “If a foul was identified when #80 (Johnson) entered the game as a punter, a Team Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty would have been assessed, resulting in a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot,” the league’s statement reads.

“The Big Ten will continue to review the situation with both institutions.” On3’s Pete Thamel was the one posting it on X. But just when you thought of another legal battle with the NCAA, Connor Stalions swooped into the scene.

“Another example of the NCAA, Big Ten & Pete Thamel not understanding their own sport & rules. Position ≠ Alignment,” Stallions wrote on X. USC aligning a QB whom they listed as #80 on the roster 14 yards behind the Center does not make him a Punter. Stallions went on to say, “If an offense wants to go for it on 4th down and throw the ball with its backup Quarterback, as long as they have 7 on the line of scrimmage, they’re good. That’s on the opponent.” 

Can you imagine it is the same Connor Stalions who was the central figure in Michigan’s infamous sign-stealing scandal? The NCAA slapped him with an eight-year show-cause penalty, essentially banning him from college sports. And now he is out there taking a stand for something he played no part in. Position switches in college football happen all the time, often turning out to be game changers. Now, what Riley did was an absolute eyewash of the rivals that no one expected. Huard confused even the announcers when he threw that pass with a smirk and high-fived his teammates afterward.

USC didn’t get hit with any penalties during the game. The result of the play was a successful 4th down conversion. The Trojans then continued their drive and scored a touchdown. 

But the Big Ten isn’t done yet. They said they’ll “keep reviewing the situation with both schools,” so future discipline is still on the table.

USC was far better even without the deception

Fake punt controversy aside, the No. 19 USC Trojans’ 38-17 win over Northwestern was a solid showcase of their overall dominance. Trojans QB Jayden Maiava shone in a way that made Northwestern’s defense look overmatched all game. Maiava threw for 299 yards on 24-of-33 passing, pacing USC’s attack with two touchdowns and just one interception. His hustle was on full display, too.

Maiava prevented what could have been a pick-six, flipping a potential momentum-swinging moment back into USC’s favor. That kind of quarterback play keeps a team firmly in control. Then there was King Miller, who bulldozed his way through the Northwestern defense for 127 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries. Miller’s electric 55-yard touchdown burst crushed any hope Northwestern had of mounting a comeback.

Wide receiver Makai Lemon was another vital weapon, hauling in 11 catches for a season-high 161 yards and a touchdown. That kind of production stretches defenses thin and forces opponents to pick their poison, which USC took full advantage of throughout the game. Even beyond individual stars, USC’s overall execution was clean and disciplined. They controlled the clock, patiently moved the chains, and forced Northwestern into multiple three-and-outs. That, in turn, let the Trojans keep their playoff hopes alive.