USC routs Colorado, 56-28, as Kessler throws for record seven touchdowns

No miracles needed.

Two weeks after Arizona State defeated USC on a Hail Mary, and a week following a nail-biting victory at Arizona, USC left no room for drama in routing Colorado in a Pac-12 Conference game Saturday at the Coliseum.

Cody Kessler passed for a school-record seven touchdowns as the No. 22 Trojans defeated the Buffaloes, 56-28, to improve to 5-2 overall, 4-1 in the Pac-12 Conference. Colorado fell to 2-5 overall, 0-4 in conference play.

USC is 9-0 in its football series against Colorado.

USC Coach Steve Sarkisian spent the week emphasizing the team’s need to create explosive plays.

The offense responded.

USC scored 35 points in the first half on five touchdown passes by Kessler, tying a school record for most touchdown passes in a half.

Kessler threw for his school record-tying sixth touchdown pass -- 75 yards to Nelson Agholor -- less than 2 ½ minutes into the third quarter. He broke the USC record for touchdown passes in a game with a 24-yard scoring pass to Steven Mitchell with 6:30 left in the third quarter that pushed the Trojans’ lead to 49-14.

Kessler became the first Pac-12 quarterback to pass for seven touchdowns in three quarters. He finished having completed 19 of 26 passes for 319 yards. Max Browne took over at quarterback in the fourth quarter.

Agholor caught six passes for 128 yards, including touchdowns of 17, 18 and 75 yards.

And USC tailback Javorius Allen had his sixth 100-yard rushing performance this season. Allen ran for 128 yards in 15 carries and capped USC’s scoring with a 39-yard touchdown sprint near the end of the third quarter.

Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau completed 23 of 25 passes for 143 yards, with two interceptions and two touchdowns.

Next up for USC: No. 20 Utah, which defeated Oregon State, 29-23, at Corvallis, Ore. The Trojans and Utes meet next Saturday in Salt Lake City at 7 p.m. Pacific time.

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USC 56, Colorado 28 (8:19 left in the fourth quarter)

USC has replaced most of its starters on defense, which means playing time for linebackers Quinton Powell and Michael Hutchings.

Jordan Gehrke leads a 91-yard touchdown drive for Colorado.

The Buffaloes extra point is good.

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USC will start on its own 48-yard line.

Max Browne will take over at quarterback for Cody Kessler, who had a career game.

Another penalty against USC, this time right tackle Aundrey Walker is called for holding. That is the team’s eighth penalty.

Most of the Trojans’ starters have been pulled, and it’s a three and out.

Kris Albarado punts.

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Colorado will start at its own 45-yard line. Jordan Gehrke is now at quarterback for the Buffaloes.

USC’s Scott Felix was just called for a penalty, lining up in the neutral zone. Penatlies continue to plague the Trojans.

Despite a 35 point lead, USC Coach Steve Sarkisian is leaving his starters in on defense.

Fourth and three, but Gehrke’s pass falls incomplete.

Today’s attendance: 74,756

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USC 56, Colorado 21 (11 seconds left in the third quarter)

USC will start on its own 29-yard line.

Javorius Allen is getting in on USC’s explosive action, rushing for 18 yards.

And no sooner do I write that, Allen rushes 39 yards for a touchdown. That is USC’s first rushing touchdown of the game.

The Coliseum, which never came close to capacity with Homecoming festivities on campus, is now emptying.

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USC 49, Colorado 21 (3:15 left in the third quarter)

USC called for another penalty on the kick off, and it’s the second time Uchenna Nwosu has been called for hands to the face.

Colorado will start from its own 40-yard line.

Adoree’ Jackson has not been in on defense since early in the game. Jackson was sidelined at the end of the Arizona game and for a practice this week with a groin and hip flexor injury, that could be keeping him sidelined now.

Freshman Jonathan Lockett is in at cornerback.

The competition level is not what it has been in recent weeks, but USC’s young secondary appears to be progressing.

Maybe I jinxed it. Sefo Liufau completes a five-yard pass to Nelson Spruce over Chris Hawkins for a touchdown.

Colorado’s extra point is good.

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USC 49, Colorado 14 (6:30 left in the third quarter)

USC will start from its own 24-yard line.

Justin Davis breaks for one of his longest gains of the season, rushing 47-yards.

On the next play, Steven Mitchell makes a diving catch for the first touchdown of his career -- 24 yards from Cody Kessler.

Kessler has thrown seven touchdown passes, breaking a school record.

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USC 42, Colorado 14 (7:31 left in the third quarter)

Colorado starts with good field position, on its own 40-yard line.

USC is starting to pick up a few more penalties. Javorius Allen was called for an illegial chop block on the previous offensive series.

Cornerback Chris Hawkins was just called for illegal hands to the face, bringing USC’s penalty total to five for 75 yards. USC finished with 13 penalties last week at Arizona.

Fourth and three, and Coach Mike MacIntyre is all about going for it on fourth down.

Quarterback Sefo Liufau rushes for a first down to USC’s seven-yard line.

Liufau completes a two-yard touchdown pass to Shay Fields, a former USC commit.

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USC will start on its own 35-yard line.

And the Trojans are unable to develop any offensive rhythm on this series.

Javorius Allen rushes for a yard before an incomplete pass to JuJu Smith, and then Cody Kessler is sacked.

Kris Albarado punts -- and it only travels 15 yards.

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Colorado will start on its own 29-yard line.

The Buffaloes cannot get anything going in its first two series of the half.

Leonard Williams registers a sack.

It’s another quick three and out.

Colorado punts.

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USC 42, Colorado 7 (12:35 left in the third quarter)

USC will start on its own 22-yard line.

Javorius Allen rushes for three yards.

And that was quick. The next play, Cody Kessler completes a 75-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor.

Alex Wood’s extra point is good.

That took 46 seconds off the clock.

Kessler has now tied the school record for most touchdown passes in a game.

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Colorado will start the second half at its own 25-yard line.

It’s a quick three and out for the Buffaloes.

The shade is starting to creep over half of the Coliseum field. USC’s new helmets are more noticable from the press box as it gets darker.

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USC 35, Colorado 7 (Halftime)

Colorado will start from its own 14-yard line.

Claude Pelon continues his steady progression for USC’s defensive line, sacking quarterback Sefo Liufau. Pelon had a sack and blocked a field goal last week against Arizona, after Coach Steve Sarkisian said he needed to see more production from defensive linemen.

USC is called for a personal foul on the next play. That’s the team’s third penalty.

J.R. Tavai sacks Liufau.

And that’s the end of the first half.

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Colorado will start on its own 24-yard line.

USC continues to rotate defensive linemen.

The Buffaloes are struggling mightily to find any type of rhythm on offense.

Coach Mike MacIntyre is decided to go for it in another fourth down situation. Fourth and three, Sefo Liufau’s pass intended for Shay Fields is knocked down by Chris Hawkins.

USC will take over on its own 47-yard line.

It’s three and out for the Trojans on that series after a Javorius Allen rush, an incomplete pass to JuJu Smith and a two-yard completion to Randall Telfer.

Kris Albarado punts.

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USC 35, Colorado 7 (5:32 left in the second quarter)

USC will start from its own 32-yard line.

Cody Kessler completes a 40-yard pass to JuJu Smith.

Kessler is sacked the next play for a loss of nine yards, which moves USC back to Colorado’s 33-yard line.

Javorius Allen breaks a couple of tackles but can’t shake the last -- otherwise it would have been green pasture to the end zone. He gained 24-yards.

Kessler completes a nine-yard pass to Bryce Dixon for a touchdown. That is Dixon’s second touchdown of the game.

Alex Wood’s extra point is good.

Kessler’s five touchdown passes ties a school record for the most touchdown passes in a half.

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USC will start from its own 30-yard line.

Cody Kessler is getting the tight ends more involved today - he completes a nine-yard pass to Randall Telfer.

Third and one, Kessler hands off to Justin Davis rushes for 21-yards before fumbling. Davis has fumbled in consecutive games

Colorado has the ball on its own 40-yard line.

USC is rotating its defensive line again. Cody Temple, Claude Pelon and Greg Townsend, Jr. all checked in.

Townsend, Jr. makes a huge hit on third down to stop Colorado short of the first down.

Colorado will punt.

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USC 28, Colorado 7 (10:06 left in the second quarter)

Colorado will start from its own 40-yard line after USC picked up an unnecessary penalty -- Uchenna Nwosu was called for a personal foul.

Quarterback Sefo Liufau completes an eight-yard pass to Nelson Spruce for a first down over Chris Hawkins.

That’s the end of the first quarter.

I’ve hardly noticed USC’s new helmets, so far. But with the break in the action, I think I’ve decided I like the old ones better. Does that mean I’m a traditionalist?

Colorado has a fourth and one at USC’s 39-yard line. Coach Mike MacIntyre is electing to go for it.

Liufau keeps it and narrowly picks up a first down.

Colorado throws a double pass and picks up 17 yards, as linebacker Hayes Pullard is down on the field in apparent pain. The training staff helped Pullard to his feet and he’s walking off the field without assistance.

Michael Hutchings is in for Pullard.

Colorado is moving the chains after a seven-yard completion by Liufau. The Buffaloes are on USC’s 14-yard line.

Liufau throws to the end zone, but Pullard is back in and breaks up the pass.

Colorado has fourth and one on USC’s five-yard line. Why kick for three when you can scramble for a first down? That’s what the Buffaloes do, as Liufau rushes to the one-yard line.

Michael Adkins one yard for a touchdown.

The extra point is good.

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USC 28, Colorado 0 (1:16 left in the first quarter)

Colorado will start from its own 25-yard line.

Cornerback Kevon Seymour with a nice pass breakup over receiver Shay Fields.

On third down, safety Gerald Bowman lays a huge hit on receiver Bryce Bobo. The ball pops out and Seymour intercepts and returns it 23 yards.

USC has the ball on Colorado’s 27-yard line.

Two plays later, Cody Kessler throws a 15-yard touchdown to tight end Bryce Dixon.

Alex Wood’s extra point is good.

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USC 21, Colorado 0 (2:09 left in the first quarter)

That drive went nowhere for USC.

The Trojans started from their own 22-yard line.

Cody Kessler handed off to tailback Justin Davis for three consecutive plays. Davis was unable to gain a first down.

Colorado is called for a penalty - roughing the kicker - which gives USC a first down.

Kessler heard Coach Steve Sarkisian’s message this week to throw the ball down field loud and clear. Kessler completes a 47-yard pass to JuJu Smith.

Smith catches a seven-yard touchdown pass, the first of his career.

Alex Wood’s extra point is good.

USC is quickly on its way to routing Colorado.

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USC’s Kevon Seymour made a nice tackle in open space on special teams.

Colorado will start from its own 14-yard line.

Sefo Liufau completes a 15-yard pass to Nelson Spruce. Spruce has caught a pass in 20 consecutive games.

Colorado draws as many penalty flags as USC. The Buffaloes offensive line was just called for consecutive penalties.

USC’s front-seven does a nice job stopping Colorado’s rushing attempt and the Buffaloes will punt.

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USC 14, Colorado 0 (8:12 left in the first quarter)

Colorado will start from its own 25-yard line.

Running back Tony Jones rushed 18-yards on Colorado’s first play.

Jones followed with a 12-yard rush.

USC linebacker Su’a Cravens intercepts Sefo Lieufau on his first pass attempt. That is Cravens’ sixth career interception and his second this season.

The Trojans have the ball on Colorado’s 47-yard line.

Tight end sighting for USC. Kessler completes a seven-yard pass to Randall Telfer.

This could be a long afternoon for Colorado’s defense as Kessler throws an 18-yard touchdown pass to Agholor.

Alex Wood’s extra point is good.

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USC 7, Colorado 0 (10:47 left in the first quarter)

USC will start from its own 16-yard line.

Quarterback Cody Kessler throws the first play of the game and completes an eight-yard pass to Darreus Rogers.

Start the penalty count. The next play, Kessler hands off to Javorius Allen but it’s called back after Max Tuerk was called for holding.

Kessler airs it out on the third play of the game, looking for Nelson Agholor deep, but the pass is overthrown. USC Coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized throughout the week that he wants Kessler to fire down field for explosive plays and they are trying to implement it right away.

Colorado has now been called for two defensive penalties, both holding before the pass, which has given USC two automatic first downs on the drive.

Kessler completes a 17-yard pass to Agholor, which moves USC to Colorado’s 43-yard line.

JuJu Smith makes a phenomenal one-handed 12-yard catch.

The Trojans are moving the ball down the field with relative ease right now. The tempo isn’t necessarily fast, though.

Kessler threw a touchdown pass to Agholor, but officials are reviewing the play. It is not clear if Kessler passed the line of scrimmage before throwing.

Officials determined Kessler was not beyond the line of scrimmage, touchdown.

Alex Wood kicked the extra point. Andre Heidari is still nursing a groin injury. Heidari warmed up, but it appears USC will use Wood today.

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USC won the toss and elected to receive to start the game.

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USC announced its starting lineups on the video board.

The offense: quarterback Cody Kessler, fullback Jahleel Pinner, tailback Javorius Allen, tight end Randall Telfer, receivers Nelson Agholor and JuJu Smith, and offensive linemen Zach Banner, Viane Talamaivao, Max Tuerk, Toa Lobendahn and Chad Wheeler.

Defense: Defensive linemen Delvon Simmons, Antwaun Woods and Leonard Williams, linebackers J.R. Tavai, Su’a Cravens, Anthony Sarao and Hayes Pullard, cornerbacks Kevon Seymour and Adoree’ Jackson, and safeties Gerald Bowman, Leon McQuay III and John Plattenburg.

Interesting, it’s the first time Pinner is in the starting lineup. Soma Vainuku injured his hamstring this week and could be sidelined today.

If Plattenburg starts it will be his first start of the season (Remember, the video board does not always reflect who actually starts and USC announced 12 players on defense).

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USC -- 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-12 Conference play -- is back at the Coliseum to play Colorado (2-4, 0-3) after winning a thriller last Saturday at Arizona.

The Trojans are in first place in the Pac-12 South.

USC will join the college football fashion show today when it unveils new shiny helmets. In case you missed the game preview, here’s a sneek peak of the updated helmet.

A note on Colorado: the Buffaloes’ second-leading receiver, Shay Fields, was once committed to USC.

Fields, who is from Bellflower St. John Bosco, was offered last season by interim coach Ed Orgeron. He switched his commitment to Colorado after Coach Steve Sarkisian was hired.

Fields has 33 receptions for 257 yards and two touchdowns.