USC decided to get tricky on a two-point conversion attempt in Monday’s Rose Bowl against Penn State. Here was the Trojans’ unusual formation:
USC’s wacky formation resulted in a wacky Rose Bowl 2-point conversion
Bold move, Trojans. But it works.
ESPN
The play is designed for USC quarterback Sam Darnold to check Penn State’s defensive alignment. At that point, Darnold can either call for a standard kicked extra point (kicker Matt Boermeester, No. 39, is across the field and ready for action), or he can take the snap and try to get the ball into the end zone.
Darnold liked what he saw, so USC went ahead and ran a two-point play. It didn’t come off all that cleanly, but Darnold scrambled around and made it work.
The formation is legal. USC had seven men on the line of scrimmage, and Darnold threw the ball to No. 48, tight end Taylor McNamara. He’d lined up in the backfield and was an eligible receiver, and Darnold found him for the two. It doesn’t look like any of USC’s interior linemen traveled illegally downfield, either.
It’s definitely weird. But it’s clean, and it’s cool. Way to be, Trojans.
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