Five things we learned in USC’s victory over Colorado

USC defeated Colorado, 56-28, on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Here are five things we learned in USC’s victory.

Kessler can throw down field

USC Coach Steve Sarkisian wanted more “explosive” plays on offense.

Quarterback Cody Kessler delivered.

Kessler completed 19 of 26 passes for 319 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns.

Kessler, who had been criticized for not throwing down the field, completed a 45-yard pass to JuJu Smith and connected with Nelson Agholor on a 75-yard scoring pass play. Smith and Agholor both finished with more than 100 yards receiving.

USC’s passing defense makes progress

USC gave up 510 and 395 passing yards to Arizona State and Arizona, respectively.

The Trojans limited Colorado to 231.

Sefo Liufau completed 23 of 35 passes for a career-low 143 yards and two touchdowns. Liufau had been averaging 314.5 passing yards a game.

Su’a Cravens and Kevon Seymour intercepted passes for USC.

Defensive line continues productive trend

Defensive end Leonard Williams continued his productive season with seven tackles.

Claude Pelon, who had a standout game at Arizona, continued the trend against Colorado, making two tackles, including a sack.

Starter Delvon Simmons made seven tackles for the second consecutive game.

But backups showed the most progress. Greg Townsend Jr. made two tackles for losses, including a sack while Cody Temple also made two tackles, one for a loss.

Offensive line making progress

USC’s offensive line was criticized after a September loss at Boston College but the young unit is improving.

The line provided Kessler time to throw longer passes. He was sacked twice.

USC rushed for 213 yards. Tailback Javorius Allen rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown in 15 carries and credited the line.

Jackson is battling injury

At what point does an injury becoming a nagging one?

Freshman cornerback Adoree’ Jackson might be able to answer that.

Jackson was sidelined in the second half at Arizona last week because of a hip-flexor injury.

He sat out practice Tuesday.

Jackson started against Colorado, but he was sidelined after returning the opening kickoff and playing a few snaps on defense.

The injury could turn into a perpetual issue as the season continues.

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