No. 8 USC holds off furious CU Buffs rally – Boulder Daily Camera

Colorado at least made it interesting in the fourth quarter.

For the second week in a row, the Buffaloes got into a big hole against top-10-ranked opponent. This time, the Buffs put together a solid comeback before falling to No. 8 USC, 48-41, on Saturday in front of the sixth-largest crowd in Folsom Field history.

Down by 27 points, CU pulled within 48-34 early in the fourth quarter and then added a late score, providing an entertaining finish for the 54,032 fans in attendance.

Shedeur Sanders threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns and true freshman receiver Omarion Miller had a breakout game, with seven catches for 196 yards.

The Buffs (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) were no match for reigning Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams, however. Williams threw for 403 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Trojans (5-0, 3-0).

A recap of the Buffs’ first defeat:

First quarter: USC wasted little time on its first possession, going 75 yards in six plays. MarShawn Lloyd ran to his left, found no room and cut back to the right for a 27-yard touchdown run to cap that drive. After the teams traded punts, CU got its offense going a bit, driving to the USC 23-yard line. That drive stalled, however, and ended with a missed 41-yard field goal attempt by Jace Feely. Just three plays later, Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams bought time in the pocket and found Tahj Washington deep for a 71-yard touchdown pass. The Trojans then picked off CU’s Shedeur Sanders to put the offense in great position again going into the second quarter. Score: USC 14, Colorado 0.

Second quarter: Following the Sanders interception, the Trojans drove to the 8-yard line at the end of the first quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, Williams threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Dorian Singer for a 21-0 lead. The Buffs responded by finally getting on the board. Sanders connected with Jimmy Horn Jr., who was wide open down the middle of the field, for a 30-yard touchdown pass. CU then forced a USC punt, but couldn’t the ball after that. Mark Vassett’s punt was blocked by the Trojans, setting them up at the CU 23-yard line. Two plays after the blocked punt, Williams hit Mario Williams for a 24-yard touchdown pass, but the Trojans bobbled the snap and missed the extra point. Late in the quarter, Caleb Williams hit former Buff Brenden Rice for a 26-yard touchdown pass to make it 34-7. The Buffs answered, though, as Sanders scored on a 25-yard touchdown run just before the half. Score: USC 34, Colorado 14.

Third quarter: The teams traded punts to start the second half, but USC increased its lead with another touchdown pass from Caleb Williams, this one a 6-yarder to Rice. CU quickly responded, going 75 yards in five plays, with Anthony Hankerson finishing the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. The Trojan offense kept rolling, though, as Williams led another touchdown drive. He connected with tight end Jude Wolfe for a 3-yard touchdown that made it 48-21. On the next drive, Sanders threw a 44-yard pass to Omarion Miller that set up another score. Sanders hit Michael Harrison for a 21-yard touchdown to slice into the USC lead. On the next play from scrimmage, CU’s Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig picked off Williams, the first thrown by Williams this season. Score: USC 48, Colorado 27.

Fourth quarter: After the Silmon-Craig interception, CU’s offense kept marching as the fourth started. Sanders scrambled and found a sliding Miller in the back of the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown pass that pulled the Buffs within 48-34 with 11:55 to play. The Buffs then forced a USC punt and had the chance to pull within one score. A 28-yard pass from Sanders to Miller got the Buffs near midfield, but they stalled from there and Sanders was sacked on fourth down with 8:58 to go. USC, however, missed a field goal on its next possession and CU went to work on offense again. Sanders capped a 10-play drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Horn Jr. to pull the Buffs within 48-41. USC recovered the ensuing onsides kick and ran out the clock. Final score: USC 48, Colorado 41.