USC tried to make Arizona player touch a punt in a wild triple-overtime game

On October 7, 2023, No. 9 USC and Arizona got creative on special teams. The Trojans intentionally dragged and pushed an Arizona player toward a bouncing punt, hoping to force him into touching the ball and turn it into a live-ball situation. The play came during USC’s wild 43–41 triple-overtime escape at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Lincoln Riley’s Trojans eventually survived behind Caleb Williams, while Arizona’s freshman QB Noah Fifita threw for 303 yards and 5 TDs in just his second college start. It didn’t work—but the audacity was 10/10. USC said: ‘Just touch the ball bro.’