USC overcomes cold start to defeat Colorado, 27-24

On a cold night in Boulder, USC overcame a 14-point first half deficit to defeat Colorado, 27-24, on Friday.

The Trojans improve to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Pac-12 Conference. The Buffaloes fall to 4-7 and 1-5.

After failing to score a touchdown in the first half, Cody Kessler connected with Jahleel Pinner, Taylor McNamara and JuJu Smith-Schuster to score 21 unanswered points.

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

Colorado played most of the game without starting quarterback Sefo Liufau, who was sidelined in the first quarter after suffering an apparent leg injury.

Backup Cade Apsay led an inspired second quarter to take a 17-6 lead into halftime.

Apsay was 18 of 23 for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

USC tailback Justin Davis rushed for 85 yards in 14 carries and Ronald Jones II rushed for 61 yards in 19 carries.

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With less than two minutes to play, Colorado Coach Mike McIntyre elected to go for it on fourth and five but Cade Apsay’s pass fell incomplete and USC took over on downs at Colorado’s 43-yard line.

USC’s secondary has had a strong second half as Apsay threw four incompletions and his receivers lobbied for pass interference calls. Officials did throw one flag on Adoree’ Jackson.

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USC punted after four plays.

Most of USC’s offense has gone through Justin Davis and Ronald Jones II -- but it didn’t go far on this drive.

USC 27, Colorado 24 -- 6:13 left in the fourth quarter

USC went three and out before Colorado made a big play on special teams that quickly resulted in a touchdown.

Nelson Spruce returned a punt 45 yards and Colorado moved half the distance to the goal after a USC penalty.

Cade Apsay completed a one-yard pass to George Frazier for a touchdown.

We’ve got a ballgame.

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USC collected two more sacks (for a total of six) and forced Colorado to punt.

Cade Apsay started the drive with three completions before Antwaun Woods made a tackle for a loss.

Later in the drive Delvon Simmons sacked Apsay.

After a rough first half, the defensive line has made several plays.

Colorado has been unable get anything going in the second half.

USC 27, Colorado 17 -- 13:55 left in the fourth quarter

We’ve said it all season: Adoree’ Jackson is a playmaker no matter where he is.

Jackson blocked Colorado’s 51-yard field goal attempt and returned it to the Buffaloes 35-yard line. Until Jackson’s block, special teams looked dire.

Before even looking up from my keyboard, Cody Kessler connected with JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 36-yard touchdown. It was another impressive grab by Smith-Schuster, who had surgery on his left hand less than two weeks ago.

That has to be demoralizing for Colorado.

USC 20, Colorado 17 -- 2:32 left in the third quarter

Where did this USC team come from?

Antwaun Woods recovered a fumble and Cody Kessler completed a two-yard pass to Taylor McNamara for a touchdown. The scoring drive covered 34 yards in seven plays.

For those scoring at home, that’s consecutive drives resulting in touchdowns to a fullback and tight end. Clay Helton is clearly using his imagination.

Delvon Simmons forced the fumble on Colorado’s first play of the series and Woods recovered.

USC has struggled mightily on third down, but Kessler completed a pass to Steven Mitchell Jr. to put USC on the 16-yard line.

Kessler completed a nine-yard pass to Tyler Petite in between a couple of short carries by Ronald Jones II.

Kessler hit a wide-open Pinner for a touchdown.

Colorado 17, USC 13 -- 5:34 left in the third quarter

USC returned to its running game and the Trojans scored their first touchdown of the night when Cody Kessler completed a four-yard pass to Jahleel Pinner.

USC was going to try for a two-point conversion, but settled for kicking the extra point after a false start.

Kessler started the drive with a six-yard completion to Justin Davis -- who also rushed for 20 yards in three carries on the drive.

Ronald Jones II started to find his rhythm rushing for 14 yards, six yards and five yards in consecutive carries.

USC appears to be playing more inspired after halftime.

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Colorado backup quarterback Cade Apsay started the second half and the Buffaloes were eventually forced to punt.

USC’s defense looked more alert than it did to start the game.

Iman Marshall nearly came down with an interception but instead was called for penalty.

Anthony Sarao and John Plattenburg each sacked Apsay on the drive.

Colorado 17, USC 6 -- halftime

Alex Wood kicked a 41-yard field goal and USC goes into halftime trailing Colorado, 17-6.

With the run game stalling, Coach Clay Helton clearly decided to change his play calling.

Cody Kessler completed a 28-yard pass to Steven Mitchell Jr. to start the drive and followed with nine-yard, 12-yard and 10-yard completions.

Kessler had a chance at the end zone, but JuJu Smith-Schuster had a rare drop as he ran out of the back of the end zone. Kessler then targeted a well-covered Smith-Schuster again and the pass fell incomplete.

USC is one of six on third-down conversions.

Kessler is eight of 15 for 112 yards, with an interception.

USC has rushed for 56 yards in 17 carries.

Colorado 17, USC 3 -- 3:14 left in the second quarter

Colorado settled for a field goal after what looked to be a promising drive. A 17-point underdog, the Buffaloes are up 17-3.

Backup quarterback Cade Apsay completed a 20-yard pass to Sean Irwin, an 11-yard pass to Nelson Spruce and six-yard pass Jay MacIntyre.

On third and five, Apsay showed composure under pressure and shuffled a pass to Donovan Lee. Linebacker Cameron Smith limped off the field after the play.

Su’a Cravens has been a bright spot for the defense. He sacked Apsay.

Starting quarterback Sefo Liufau is on crutches on the sideline with no shoe on his foot.

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Cody Kessler is sacked on third down and USC punts for the third time.

The Trojans have not converted on third down in five tries and cannot get anything going on offense.

This game has the sort of feel that USC’s loss to Washington had.

Kessler is three of eight for 50 yards, with an interception.

Colorado 14, USC 3 -- 9:28 left in the first quarter

Backup quarterback Cade Apsay completed a nine-yard pass to Nelson Spruce for a Colorado touchdown, which capitalized on a Buffaloes interception.

An untimely penalty really hurt USC on the drive -- the Trojans were called for a substitution infraction on third and one -- which gave Colorado a first down on USC’s 11-yard line.

Adoree’ Jackson gave up the touchdown and his defense hasn’t looked as sharp as it usually does.

Starting quarterback Sefo Liufau hobbled on the sideline and into the locker room for what appeared to be further evaluation.

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Jered Bell intercepted a pass by Cody Kessler and returned it 19 yards. The Buffaloes will takeover at USC’s 26-yard line. Kessler’s pass was intended for Steven Mitchell Jr.

Kessler did not appear happy on the sideline and hollered at a player to come meet with him.

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Colorado’s drive stalled when Kenny Bigelow sacked Sefo Liufau and Liefau went to the sideline with an apparent injury. Cade Apsay has taken over at quarterback.

The drive started well for the Buffaloes, Liufau completed a 35-yard pass to Nelson Spruce over Adoree’ Jackson and had plenty of time to let it fly.

Two plays later, the defensive line finally put pressure on Liufau.

Claude Pelon made the initial contact and Liufau was sacked by Kenny Bigelow.

Apsay was sacked on his first play by Su’a Cravens.

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USC’s offense is sputtering and punts for a second consecutive series.

Ronald Jones II was stopped short of the first down on third and one.

Jones rushed for a combined eight yards on the previous two plays.

Colorado’s front seven has prepared for the run game.

Colorado 7, USC 3 -- 5:15 left in the first quarter

Who would have guessed Colorado would score the first touchdown of the game? Phillip Lindsay rushed for four yards and the Buffaloes take a 7-3 lead.

The drive covered 61 yards in seven plays.

USC’s secondary looked confused as Sefo Liufau completed a 12-yard, 20-yard and nine-yard pass.

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Three and out for USC, which has looked out of synce to start the game in frigid Boulder.

Clay Helton spoke with JuJu Smith-Schuster after the drive.

Cody Kessler is one of four for 14 yards.

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USC’s defense forced Colorado to punt.

Sefo Liufau completed his first pass of the game to Shay Field.

Field was once committed to USC. Former Interim Coach Ed Orgeron offered Field, from St. John Bosco High, but Field ultimately decided the Buffaloes were a better fit.

USC 3, Colorado 0 -- 10:35 left in the first quarter

Colorado’s defense made a statement in its first series, holding USC to a field goal.

Justin Davis and Ronald Jones II rushed for 47 yards in a combined seven carries (39 yards for Davis).

Davis converted on fourth and one at the Colorado’s 10-yard line, but fumbled on the next play. Zach Banner recovered before he lost it and JuJu Smith-Schuster eventually recovered.

Cody Kessler attempted one pass on the drive, it fell incomplete on third and goal.

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Only a few minutes before kickoff and Colorado’s mascot, Ralphie V, is making his lap around the field.

It’s a small crowd, which can be attributed to Colorado’s 4-6 record.

Or because the game is on a Friday night.

Thanks again to the Pac-12 Conference.

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Getting to close to about an hour before kickoff here at Folsom Field where it is clear and cold, but apparently not unbearably so.

USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was shirtless during pregame warmups, showing teammates he would not be affected by the weather.

Kim Helton, interim coach Clay Helton’s father, was on the field. It will be the first time he watches his son coach the Trojans on site.

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It’s Friday the 13th, temperatures are hovering around freezing and next on USC’s schedule is Oregon and UCLA.

Could this be a trap game for the Trojans? They better hope not.

A trip to the Pac-12 title game is still within reach if Utah stumbles and USC defeats Colorado, Oregon and UCLA.

Not to mention, interim Coach Clay Helton is still auditioning for the permanent job. Helton has led the team to a 3-1 record and has returned to old-school football -- run first and win the time of possession.

USC is 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Pac-12 Conference. Colorado is 4-6 and 1-5.

The Trojans have defeated the Buffaloes in each of their nine meetings.

Tailback Tre Madden will be sidelined because of a bone bruise on his knee, Helton announced this week.

Center Khaliel Rodgers and defensive lineman Claude Pelon have been slowed by a shoulder and knee injuries, respectively, but are expected to play.