Final: USC 48, Colorado 41

The No. 8 USC Trojans are in Boulder this weekend to take on the Colorado Buffaloes. The game will feature two of the country’s best quarterbacks in Caleb Williams of the Trojans and Shedeur Sanders of the Buffs.

USC is looking to stay undefeated and among the top 10 teams in the nation. Colorado is looking for its fourth win of the season and by far its biggest statement of the Deion Sanders era.

Pregame

USC dropped its hype video ahead of this one. As always, it’s worth a watch.

any time. any place. it's always on our terms. 🍿🔥✌️#FridayNightHype pic.twitter.com/4Swt65gZzH

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) September 30, 2023

Some injury news ahead of this one as Colorado will likely be without its two best defensive backs for this one. Two-way star Travis Hunter was ruled out ahead of the game and safety Shilo Sanders is not expected to play after suffering an injury to his kidney against Oregon.

USC will be without two key starters in this one as well. Electric playmaker Zachariah Branch is out for this one. And the Trojans will also be without starting safety Max Williams. USC has a couple of veteran options at slot receiver in Tahj Washington and Mario Williams. Wide receiver Michael Jackson III could replace Branch as a punt returner. It will be interesting to see if fellow freshman Makai Lemon takes on a role in this one with Branch out. In place of Williams, Bryson Shaw will be called upon to take that spot over.

Warmups

* Defensive end Korey Foreman does not appear to be in attendance. He was not warming up with the defensive line and did not appear to be on the sideline.

* USC true freshman safety Christian Pierce, who recovered the late onside kick attempt by Arizona State last week, does not appear to be in attendance. Defensive back Tre’Quon Fegans, who has not appeared in a game for USC this season, is on the trip and warming up with the defensive backs. Fegans did not make the trip to Tempe last week. Without Williams and Pierce, the Trojans are down two safeties. Pierce has worked at nickel as well and that’s a spot Fegans could fill in, backing up starter Jaylin Smith.

* Looks like Mason Cobb and Tackett Curtis will get the starts at inside linebacker for the Trojans.

*. Colorado wins the toss and elects to defer. USC will receive the opening kick.

First Quarter

* MarShawn Lloyd looks stopped in the backfield, but reverses field and goes 27 yards for a touchdown. It’s 7-0 USC with 12:33 remaining in the first quarter.

* Colorado misses a 41-yard field goal and USC will take over with 3:18 remaining in the first quarter at their own 23-yard line.

* Caleb Williams takes advantage of zero pass rush from Colorado and eventually finds Tahj Washington down the field. Washington finishes off the play for a 71-yard touchdown. It’s 14-0 USC with 2:30 left in the first quarter.

* Christian Roland-Wallace grabs an interception. That’s the second pick Sanders has thrown this season. After starting the game 9-for-9, Sanders has since gone 0-for-3 with an interception.

Second Quarter

* Williams finds Singer for an 8-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. It’s 21-0 USC with 14:55 remaining in the game.

* Colorado gets on the board with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to Jimmy Horn Jr. It’s 21-7 USC with 12:59 remaining in the second quarter.

* Williams finds Mario Williams for a 24-yard touchdown. The snap on the extra point is dropped. It’s 27-7 USC with 7:30 remaining in the second quarter.

* Williams fires his fourth touchdown pass of the day. This one is a quick throw to Brenden Rice, who takes it in for a 26-yard touchdown. It’s 34-7 USC with 2:54 remaining in the first half.

* USC leaves the middle of the field wide open and Sanders runs for a 25-yard touchdown. It’s 34-14 USC with 21 seconds remaining in the first half.

Third Quarter

* Williams connects with Rice for a touchdown for the second time today. It’s a six-yard pass to put USC up 41-14 with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter.

* Colorado uses a 65-yard catch and run to get into scoring position and caps the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run. It’s 41-21 USC with 5:50 remaining in the third quarter.

* Williams throws his sixth touchdown pass of the day. This one a 3-yard toss to tight end Jude Wolfe. It’s 48-21 USC with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter.

* Colorado comes right back with a 44-yard pass and a 21-yard touchdown pass. Colorado went for two and didn’t get it. It’s 48-27 USC with 1:03 remaining in the third quarter.

* Williams tries to throw a deep ball on the run and it’s intercepted by Colorado. That’s the first interception of the season for Williams.

Fourth Quarter

* Colorado takes advantage of the Williams interception and Sanders finds a receiver for a 9-yard score on fourth down. It’s 48-34 USC with 11:55 remaining in the game.

* USC kicker Denis Lynch misses a 38-yard field goal try. Score remains 48-34 USC with 5:58 remaining the game.

* Sanders with yet another touchdown pass to make it 48-41 USC with 1:43 remaining in the game.

* USC recovers the onside kick and the Trojans are going to escape Boulder with a win.