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