USC tramples Colorado behind Drake London, Drake Jackson
USC did what it needed to do against an overmatched Colorado team on Saturday afternoon, thumping the Buffaloes 37-14 behind solid showings from the offense and defense.
This is not a good Colorado team. It would be surprising to see them win a conference game this season. But USC was coming off a drubbing at the hands of Oregon State at it felt like anything was possible from the Trojans on this trip.
USC wide receiver Drake London was his spectacular self once again, setting the tone early for the Trojans on the outside. He caught nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, with most of his damage being done early in the game.
“I’m glad with the way we controlled the line of scrimmage on defense and on offense,” USC head coach Williams said. “We expect our big-time players to step up in big-time games and our big-time players stepped up today.”
USC’s running game delivered as well. Keaontay Ingram became the first USC back to eclipse 100 yards on the ground in a game this season. He finished with 124 yards on 14 carries. USC piled up 218 yards on the ground and averaged 6.3 yards with Ingram, Vavae Malepeai and Darwin Barlow.
Colorado came in with one of the worst offenses in the country and could get nothing going early. The Buffs moved the ball 24 yards total on their first five drives of the game, while USC took a 20-0 lead. A Colorado touchdown cut the lead to 20-7 at halftime, but USC pushed the lead to 30-7 before the teams traded touchdowns for the 37-14 final.
USC linebacker Kana’i Mauga led the team with eight tackles. Drake Jackson and Jacob Lichtenstein finished with two sacks each. Tuli Tuipulotu recorded a sack and forced fumble, which Jackson recovered and returned 11 yards. Joshua Jackson Jr. recorded his first-career interception.
