US EditionLincoln Riley says fake punt was 'entirely legal' after Big Ten rebuke
USC head coach Lincoln Riley says the fake punt against Northwestern complied with NCAA rules despite criticism from the Big Ten Conference.
- On Friday, Lincoln Riley defended USC's fake punt as perfectly within NCAA rules during the win over Northwestern last Friday.
- USC ran a designed fake punt ploy on special teams, an unusual strategic call that drew attention.
- Critics issued a public rebuke after the game, and conference voices sparked an immediate rules debate surrounding USC's fake punt.
- Heightened scrutiny may follow as the dispute could influence how NCAA officials interpret and enforce similar trick plays in future games.
- At a broader level, the incident highlights tensions between coaching creativity and rule clarity at major programs and how single plays can spark wider debates about rule interpretation in college football.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Helena Independent Record
Lincoln Riley says fake punt was 'entirely legal' after Big Ten rebuke
LOS ANGELES — Lincoln Riley isn't backing down from his belief that the fake punt ploy USC pulled last Friday in its win over Northwestern was perfectly within NCAA rules. "The fake punt was entirely legal," Riley said on Tuesday.…
USC Mocks Illegal Fake Punt Controversy
USC ran what, according to the Big Ten, should’ve been considered an illegal fake punt against Northwestern on Saturday. Lincoln Riley says otherwise. Regardless of whether it was a fair play or not, the Trojans are having a good laugh. The college football controversy did not have an impact on the final score. People are furious anyway! Legal or illegal fake punt? USC lined up to punt on fourth down early in the second quarter. No. 80 set up to…
Riley says fake punt was ‘entirely legal,’ contrasting Big Ten
.flex_cell.av-340o6oon-3c9fefb8b4a8b91edaeb5cb1ffcc56cd{ vertical-align:top; } Riley says fake punt was ‘entirely legal,’ contrasting Big Ten On the play, a USC backup quarterback wore the number usually used by its punter. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-2s55rh13-3be817aa43565358119c8210a76d3c29{ height:10px; } By SEAN CAMPBELL November 13, 2025 #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-2ah5ghx3-07d05a8aaed91cf03fff505864ab463a{ height:10px; } .avia-image-container.…
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