Colorado Ailing After Crushing Loss

While the Trojans made it through training camp and their season opener relatively unscathed, their opponent this week was not as fortunate.

Colorado was dogged by injuries in camp, a trend that continued in a 28-24 loss to Colorado State this weekend.

The Buffaloes lost quarterback Zac Colvin to a bruised right elbow in the first half and his status for Saturday’s 5 p.m. game at the Coliseum remains uncertain.

“We probably won’t be able to determine that until Thursday,” Colorado Coach Gary Barnett said. “If he’s struggling at all, we’ll go right to Bobby.”

Bobby Pesavento, a junior college transfer, stepped in for Colvin against Colorado State, completing 20 of 31 passes for 250 yards, throwing for a touchdown and running for another.

The Buffaloes also have a promising replacement for tailback Cortlen Johnson, who rushed for 121 yards but has a sprained toe. Highly touted freshman Marcus Houston, who rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown, might start in Johnson’s place.

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Joints and ligaments were not the only things bruised in Colorado’s loss. The Buffaloes are suffering from a feeling USC knows too well.

“When you lose to your archrival two years in a row,” Coach Paul Hackett said, “that makes you very angry.”

Last season, Colorado lost to Colorado State in a defeat so shocking that police had to use tear gas on delirious fans who rushed the field. This time, the game was closer but the loss knocked Colorado out of the rankings.

Hackett called upon USC’s history with UCLA to warn his players about the wrath of a team scorned.

“I said, ‘Hey, guys, that’s a team that lost to their cross-town rival and you know how that makes you feel,’ ” he said. “We’re going to face a fired-up football team.”