Cody Kessler’s explosive play leads to rout of Colorado, record seven TD passes

Cody Kessler stood high on a ladder before USC’s marching band, pumping the sword in his right hand above his head.

Kessler’s day was done, a seven-touchdown passing parade against Colorado putting him in the Trojans’ record book above all other USC quarterbacks.

After enduring a week of hearing that he did not throw enough deep passes, that he hesitated pulling the trigger on longer throws, Kessler aired it out.

The result was a 56-28 victory Saturday at the Coliseum that kept the No. 22 Trojans on pace for a possible Pac-12 Conference title.

“It’s awesome,” Kessler said of the setting the record, “and it’s a real cool feeling.”

Kessler connected with receiver Nelson Agholor for three touchdowns, tight end Bryce Dixon for two and delivered the first career touchdowns to receivers JuJu Smith and Steven Mitchell as USC improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the Pac-12.

Tailback Javorius Allen again rushed for more than 100 yards and Su’a Cravens and Kevon Seymour intercepted passes for the Trojans, who are in first place in the Pac-12 South heading into road games at Utah and Washington State.

“We enjoyed the records,” Coach Steve Sarkisian said, “but our minds are already on Utah.”

USC had been relying on Allen to carry the offense, but on a day when the Trojans broke tradition and debuted shiny, metallic-tinged helmets, it was Kessler who shined brightest.

“I didn’t want to mess his groove up,” Allen said, chuckling. “I just wanted him to stay in his zone and do what he do.”

It was a triumphant display by Kessler after a trying week.

After USC’s 28-26 victory at Arizona, fans on social media criticized the junior for being too conservative. Sarkisian, unprompted by reporters and in not-so-subtle code, spoke publicly of Kessler’s need to trust more in his receivers and his arm.

And Sarkisian and offensive coordinator Clay Helton challenged Kessler directly during a meeting.

“They were talking to me about, ‘Hey, if it’s one-on-one, put it up. Let our guys make a play,’” Kessler said.

Kessler’s performance was not entirely unexpected.

Former Trojans coach Lane Kiffin made sure Matt Barkley twice passed for six touchdowns against the Buffaloes. Kessler’s seven Saturday gave USC 21 touchdown passes in four Pac-12 games against Colorado.

Kessler had passed for four touchdowns in the opener against Fresno and the Trojans’ loss at Boston College. He was among college football’s passing efficiency leaders a few weeks ago, but USC’s offense was lacking what Sarkisian has termed “explosive” plays.

So it was clear Saturday what the game plan would entail.

Colorado’s defense is one of the youngest in college football—and Sarkisian was determined to give his quarterback a confidence boost.

On USC’s second play, Kessler overthrew Agholor on a deep route down the left sideline. One play later he went long again to Smith. The ball should have been intercepted, but Colorado dropped it.

Nevertheless, the tone was set: USC was going deep.

“They weren’t all completions,” Sarkisian said of the longer throws. “They weren’t all caught, but it became an aspect of our team and our game that created bigger plays.”

Kessler connected twice with Agholor, twice with Dixon and also with Smith for first-half touchdowns as USC built a 35-7 lead.

At halftime, a teammate mentioned to Kessler that he was approaching the record.

“I told ‘em just to keep their mouth shut,” Kessler said, adding that he wanted the team to remain focused.

“If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t it doesn’t.

“I just want to win the game.”

No one questioned Kessler’ arm strength on his sixth touchdown pass. He hit a wide-open Agholor in stride over the middle for a 75-yard scoring play that tied Barkley’s record.

Agholor said that as the ball sailed toward him he had only one thought: “I gotta go catch it, no matter what.”

Kessler broke the record about six minutes later when he scrambled and found the diving Mitchell.

Overall, Kessler completed 19 of 26 passes for 319 yards, with no interceptions. He has passed for 18 touchdowns, with one interception this season.

“I pride myself on not turning over the ball,” he said. “At the end of the day, you can only do so much in that category and you have to give your guys chances to make plays.”

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein