Five things we learned in USC’s 27-24 victory over Colorado

USC defeated Colorado, 27-24, on Friday night at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. Here are five things we learned from the victory:

Slow starts are becoming an unwelcome trend

For the second consecutive week, USC fell behind, 14-3.

The Trojans survived because Arizona and Colorado are teams with the worst records in the Pac-12 South.

The scenario changes next week at Oregon, so the Trojans better adjust.

The Ducks might not be the Ducks of the last few seasons, but they can still score points and leave stunned opponents in their wake.

Oregon goes into Saturday’s game against Stanford averaging 42.2 points and 543.3 yards per game.

Defensive linemen Delvon Simmons and Antwaun Woods can make plays

Simmons forced a fumble, blocked a field-goal attempt and had two tackles for loss, including a sack.

Woods had two tackles for loss, including a sack, and recovered a fumble.

The two seniors are leading a line that began the season as a question mark, but as of late has been a major strength.

Tight ends still matter

Tyler Petite and Taylor McNamara each made important catches during a third-quarter scoring drive that gave USC a 20-17 lead.

Petite picked up a first down with a nine-yard reception.

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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)

2/15

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

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

3/15

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

  (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

4/15

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

  (Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)

5/15

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)

11/15

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)

13/15

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)

Two plays later, quarterback Cody Kessler found McNamara in the end zone for a short touchdown pass.

Petite has 11 catches this season, McNamara seven, three for touchdowns.

Justin Davis quietly productive

On a night when Tre Madden was sidelined because of a knee bruise and Ronald Jones II was unable to break free for a run longer than 14 yards, Davis was the Trojans’ most dynamic tailback.

The junior rushed for a team-best 85 yards and caught three passes for 28 yards.

Davis ran for 29 yards on his first carry. He got lucky a few plays later when a fumble at the six-yard line was recovered by USC.

He bounced back from the miscue and later sealed the victory with a 13-yard gain for a first down in the final two minutes.

Adoree’ Jackson will call for a fair catch

Adoree’ Jackson said this week that he had not called for a fair catch on a punt return since high school.

“I feel I can make a play regardless of where I’m at,” he said.

Jackson called for a fair catch after USC forced Colorado to punt on the first series of the second half.

Jackson started at cornerback and broke up one pass. He also caught one pass for three yards, returned a punt for 11 yards, had a 28-yard kickoff return and returned a blocked field-goal attempt 16 yards to set up a touchdown.

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