USC strongly steps up on sacks in victory over Colorado

USC defensive lineman Delvon Simmons proudly sported a large bruise on his right forearm, a badge of honor for a player who played a key role in the Trojans’ 27-24 victory over Colorado on Friday night at Folsom Field.

Simmons, a senior, blocked a field-goal attempt and also forced a fumble as the resurgent defense helped the Trojans win their fourth consecutive game.

Simmons had two tackles for loss, including one of the Trojans’ six sacks.

“We were telling each other, ‘We’ve got to start playing on the other side of the ball — we’re not getting enough knock-backs,’” Simmons said when asked about the defense’s second-half performance.

Fellow linemen Antwaun Woods and Kenny Bigelow, linebackers Su’a Cravens and Anthony Sarao and safety John Plattenburg also had sacks.

The Trojans recorded 10 tackles for loss for the second game in a row.

Davis is featured

USC tailback Justin Davis has often been overlooked because of short-yardage heroics by senior Tre Madden and the flash of freshman Ronald Jones II.

Davis was a featured back against Colorado, rushing for a team-best 85 yards in 14 carries and catching three passes for 28 yards.

Jones rushed for 61 yards in 19 carries and caught one pass.

Madden was sidelined because of a bone bruise in his knee.

Another big game

Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, playing again with a soft cast on his right hand, caught three passes for 66 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown.

Steven Mitchell Jr., who had been nursing a sore ankle, caught three passes for 59 yards. Mitchell had a 17-yard reception in the first quarter and 28-yard catch in the second. His 14-yard reception in the third quarter set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Pinner scores

USC senior fullback Jahleel Pinner scored his first career touchdown when he caught a four-yard pass from quarterback Cody Kessler in the third quarter.

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USC running back Ronald Jones II tries to evade Colorado linebacker Grant Watanabe in the first half of their game Friday night in Boulder.

  (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

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Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler unleashes a pass against the Buffaloes in the first half on Nov. 13.

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

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Colorado running back Patrick Carr is dragged down for a loss by USC safety John Plattenburg in the first half.

  (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

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Buffaloes defensive end Jimmie Gilbert sacks Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler in the first half.

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

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USC running back Justin Davis leaps over the line for a three-yard gain in the first half.

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

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Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau unloads a pass against USC in the first half. Liufau would leave the game later because of an injury.

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

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Trojans running back Ronald Jones II picks up yards against the Buffaloes in the first half on Nov. 13.

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

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Trojans linebacker Su’a Cravens sacks Buffaloes quarterback Cade Apsay during the first half.

  (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

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USC running back Justin Davis is stopped by Colorado linebacker Rick Gamboa after a gain in the second half of a Nov 13 game in Boulder, Colo.

  (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

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USC fullback Jahleel Pinner (38) celebrates his touchdown catch against Colorado with offensive tackle Chad Wheeler in the second half.

  (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

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USC quarterback Cody Kessler is hit by Colorado defensive back Chidobe Awuzie as he throws a pass in the third quarter Saturday.

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

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Trojans defensive tackle Antwaun Woods recovers a Buffaloes fumble in the third quarter.

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

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USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) signals the Trojans recovered a fumble by Colorado in the second half.

  (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

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USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster catches a touchdown against Colorado defensive back Tedric Thompson in the fourth quarter Friday night in Boulder.

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

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Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster leads fans in song after USC defeated Colorado, 27-24, on Friday night.

  (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

It was Pinner’s third catch of the season.

Kessler completed 17 of 27 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception.

Tightening up

The Trojans turned to tight ends Tyler Petite and Taylor McNamara during a third-quarter scoring drive that gave the Trojans the lead.

Petite, a freshman, had a 10-yard reception to convert a third down. Two plays later, McNamara caught a four-yard touchdown pass.

McNamara, a graduate transfer who played at Oklahoma, has three touchdowns.

Sprucing up

Colorado receiver Nelson Spruce, who played at Westlake High, showed why he is the Pac-12’s all-time receptions leader.

Spruce caught seven passes for 94 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown. He has 279 career receptions.

Quick hits

Safety Leon McQuay III warmed up for the game but changed into sweats. McQuay suffered a knee injury during preparation for the Trojans game against California. He did not play against Arizona.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein