Southern California

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Folsom Field • November 11, 2017 • 2 p.m. MT

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Colorado

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Weather:

It's an absolutely beautiful November Saturday in Boulder, with temperatures in the mid-50's and sun expected all day.

Pregame

It's Senior Day in Boulder, as Colorado is set to face No. 15 USC at Folsom Field with kickoff at 2:00 MST.
The Buffs are looking for their first ever win over the Trojans (0-11).
At 5-5 (2-5), the Buffs are still just one win away from securing bowl eligibility for the second straight season after suffering a 41-30 loss to Arizona State last weekend in Tempe.
At 8-2 (6-1), the Trojans sit atop first place in the Pac-12 South and are coming off a convincing 49-35 win over Khalil Tate's Arizona Wildcats last weekend in LA.

1st Quarter

Colorado wins the toss and defers their decision to the second half. USC to receive opening kickoff in the South end zone.
Price's kick goes through the end zone for a touchback. Sam Darnold leads the Trojan offense onto the field.
Darnold finds Michael Pittman Jr. down the right sideline for a 32-yard gain. 1st and 10 USC.
USC keeps it on the ground with Ronald Jones and picks up another first down to the Colorado 28.
Stopped! A Chris Mulumba stuff on second down and an Isaiah Oliver pass break up sets up a 40-yard USC field goal attempt from Chase McGrath.
Wide! McGrath shanks the 40-yard field goal to the left, setting up a CU first down on its own 22 yard line.
Lindsay takes the handoff to the left and picks up 16 yards. 1st and 10 CU.
After one first down, the drive stalls and goes three-and-out. Alex Kinney to punt from the Colorado 42 yard line.
The 52-yard punt is fair caught by Tyler Vaughns at the USC 7-yard line. It will be 1st and 10 Trojans.
Jones finds a crease for a 17-yard gain on first down. 1st and 10 Trojans.
Darnold find Steven Mitchell Jr. who maneuvers his way through a hoard of Buff defenders for a 20-yard gain. A personal foul on USC for a late hit backs the ball up to the USC 32-yard line for a 15-yard penalty. 1st and 10 Trojans.
Trojans come up a yard short on a Darnold completion on third down. USC to go for it.
Aca'Cedric Ware stopped short of the first down marker, making it 1st and 10 Buffs. Measurement under review.
Spot confirmed, Colorado takes over on downs at its own 44-yard line.
Montez's third down throw down the sideline hits Devin Ross, but he could not secure a foot in bounds. Buffs go three-and-out with a Kinney punt upcoming.
Kinney's punt travels 33 yards out of bounds, setting up USC with a first down at its own 19-yard line.
Darnold starts the drive by hitting Deontay Burnett for an 11-yard gain and a Trojan first down. Nick Fisher slow to get up for the Buffs.
Fisher walks off the field on his own, will be 1st and 10 USC.
Darnold tests Fisher's replacement Evan Worthington immediately, just failing to connect on a deep ball to Vaughns.
After scrambling his way out of trouble, Darnold's third down pass to Burnett incomplete. Well defended by Afolabi Laguda on the floater. USC punt upcoming with Ronnie Blackmon deep for CU.
Blackmon lets the 45-yard punt roll to the Colorado 36 where it goes out of bounds. 1st and 10 CU, still 0-0.
Montez finds Bryce Bobo across the middle for a 21-yard completion. First down Buffs.
Montez hits Lindsay for a 7-yard gain and a Colorado first down. Lindsay now just 11 yards short of setting CU's all time record for receiving yards from a tailback.
Montez hits Bounds on a reverse-pass for a touchdown, but off-setting penalties negate the score. It will be first down for the Buffs from the Trojan 38-yard line.

That's the end of the first quarter, where the Buffs will have 2nd and 9 awaiting on the USC 37-yard line. Score remains 0-0.

2nd Quarter

Devin Ross slow to get up after a brutal hit on a pass across the middle by Ajene Harris. It will be 4th down for the Buffs on the USC 37-yard line.
Ross able to walk off the field on his own. Montez and the CU offense remain on the field on fourth down.
Montez taken down in the backfield on fourth down. USC takes over on downs from its own 40-yard line.
Darnold pin drops one into Mitchell's arms for a 28-yard completion to the CU 26-yard line.
USC uses its first timeout of the half with 13:09 to go in the half. It will be 2nd and 9 from the CU 25-yard line.
After a huge pass breakup by Dante Wigley, Darnold finds Pittman for a 10-yard gain to the CU 15. 1st and 10 USC.
Pittman hauls in a 10-yard Trojan touchdown over the tight coverage from Oliver on a back-corner fade. McGrath's kick makes it 7-0 USC with 11:59 remaining in the half.
Reid Budrovich's kick goes through the end zone for a touchback. 1st and 10 CU from its 25-yard line.
Shay Fields slow to get up on the play after getting his legs cut out from under him while going up for a high pass from Montez.
Fields able to walk off on his own power. Devin Ross has re-entered the contest for the Buffs from his earlier injury.
Montez's third down pass too high for Juwann Winfree. Kinney's third punt of the afternoon upcoming.
Kinney's punt travels in a line-drive trajectory for 33 yards and is returned for nine yards to the USC 31-yard line. 1st and 10 Trojans.
Darnold his Burnett for five yards on third down for another Trojan first down to the USC 41. The official spot is under further review, as Burnett may have been inches short of the marker.
Spot overturned, it will be 4th and inches for the Trojans who will go for it.
Jones just gets by a heat-seeking Drew Lewis for a 4-yard pickup and a first down for USC.
Darnold finds Vaughns down the left sideline for a 29-yard gain to the Colorado 27-yard line. 1st and 10 USC.
Vaughns again, as Darnold hits the freshman again for a 24-yard gain to the Colorado 3-yard line. A subsequent unsportsmanlike penalty on Vaughns backs the Trojans up to the CU 18.
Darnold finds Burnett for another Trojan score. 14-0 USC after McGrath's kick with 7:51 to go in the half.
Blackmon takes the kick out of the end zone and is blasted by the Trojans. Flags fly as suspected targeting against USC's Matt Lopes is currently under review.
Call overturned, as no targeting was seen by the officials. The ball will be at the Colorado 20-yard line.
K.D. Nixon takes the pitch coming across the backfield and picks up a three-yard gain and a Colorado first down.
Juwann Winfree's acrobatic 16-yard catch negated by his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Officials being consistent with the call today.
Buffs make up the ground, as Montez connects with Ross for two straight 7-yard completions for a Colorado first down at their own 47.
Montez finds Bobo for a 12-yard completion to the USC 37-yard line. 1st and 10 CU.
The drive stalls at the USC 30. Stefanou coming on to attempt a 47-yard field goal.
Stefanou's kick is blocked, keeping the score at 14-0 Trojans. That is just Stefanou's third miss on the season and second from under 50. Trojans take over with 1:28 to go in the half.
Afolabi Laguda with a huge pass breakup on a third down throw from Darnold. Trojans go three-and-out with a punt upcoming. Blackmon is back deep for the Buffs, who will get the ball back with under a minute to play and three timeouts.
Blackmon lets the ball roll to the Colorado 10, where it is downed by the Trojans. The 57-yard punt results in 1st and 10 for Colorado with :51 to play in the half.
Colorado takes its first timeout of the half after a 9-yard completion to Jay MacIntyre for a first down. It will be 1st and 10 for the Buffs from their own 24-yard line with :43 to play in the half.
Montez's pass intercepted by Ajene Harris and is taken back 34 yards down a wide-open sideline for a Trojan touchdown. McGrath's kick is no good, making it 20-0 Trojans with :19 to play in the half.
After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, Montez takes a knee as the Buffs head to the locker room down 20-0 in desperate need of any momentum.

HALFTIME

Darnold: 16-23, 224 yards, 2 TD; Jones: 10 rushes for 47 yards; Burnett: 5 rec, 42 yards, TD; Pittman: 4 rec, 59 yards, TD
Montez: 12-21, 107 yards, INT; Lindsay: 9 rushes for 35 yards; Bobo: 4 rec, 45 yards; Ross: 4 rec, 26 yards

3rd Quarter

Buffs to receive opening kickoff
Blackmon lets kick sail into the end zone for a touchback. 1st and 10 Colorado from the 25-yard line.
Buffs keep it on the ground with Lindsay gaining 19 yards over two plays for a Colorado first down to the USC 44-yard line.
Montez finds Bobo, who scampers 29 yards to the USC 29-yard line for another Colorado first down.
Colorado takes its first timeout of the half in the midst of an offensive miscommunication with 3rd and 7 looming.
A pass to Lindsay comes up just short of the marker. Stefanou coming out for a 39-yard attempt.
Blocked again. USC gets hands on the second Stefanou kick of the day, keeping the score at 20-0. USC to take over on downs at its 22-yard line.
Darnold connects with Vaughns for a 13-yard completion on second down. 1st and 10 Trojans from their 35-yard line.
Darnold hits a wide open Burnett streaking down the middle of the field for 37 yards to the Colorado 29-yard line. 1st and 10 Trojans.
Darnold keeps for a 24-yard scamper for another Trojans score. McGrath's kick makes it 27-0 USC with 9:14 to go in the quarter.
Nixon takes ensuing kickoff 18 yards out to the Colorado 18-yard line. 1st and 10 Buffs.
Montez finds a wide open Winfree streaking down the hash for a 79-yard CU touchdown. Not a single Trojan was anywhere close to Winfree. Stefanou's kick makes it 27-7 USC with 8:34 to play in the quarter.
Price's ensuing kickoff sails over the head of Jack Jones. It will be 1st and 10 for the Trojans at their own 25-yard line.
USC takes first timeout of the half as 2nd and 6 awaits. 7:43 remains in the quarter.
A set of penalties place USC in a 3rd and 16 situation, where a Darnold completion comes just two yards short of the marker. USC to punt with Blackmon deep to receive.
Colorado blocks the punt, as freshman Nate Landman gets his hand on the ball which bounces into the hands of Kyle Trego. Trego takes the ball to the USC 1-yard line, where it will be 1st and Goal for CU.
Touchdown Colorado. Phillip Lindsay takes it in from 1-yard out to cut into the Trojan lead. Stefanou's kick makes it 27-14 USC with 5:30 to play in the quarter.
Price's kick taken by Jack Jones, who fumbles but recovers after an Akil Jones strip, to the USC 35-yard line. 1st and 10 Trojans.
A hold by Landman quickly moves the ball to the Colorado 40-yard line following a Darnold scramble. 1st and 10 Trojans.
Jones breaks a series of tackles and moves the ball 25 yards down to the Colorado 10-yard line. 1st and Goal Trojans.
Wigley with a huge pass break up as Darnold was trying to find Pittman in the back corner of the end zone on 3rd and Goal. McGrath connects from 26 yards to make the score 30-14 USC with 2:13 to play in the quarter.
Blackmon takes the ensuing kick 28 yards out to the Colorado 30 where it will be 1st and 10 CU.
A 12-yard completion to Laviska Shenault Jr. followed by a 19-yard-designed-run from Montez moves the ball to the Trojan 39-yard line. 1st and 10 CU.
After just missing on the deep ball, Montez finds Bobo for an 11-yard gain for another CU first down to the USC 28-yard line.

That's the end of the 3rd Quarter with USC holding a 30-14 lead over the Buffs. It will be Colorado's ball on 3rd and 4 from the Trojan 22-yard line.

4th Quarter

Montez keeps and picks up a first down running off of a George Frazier block to the left side. 1st and 10 Colorado.
A delay-of-game penalty backs the Buffs out of first-down range, setting up another Stefanou field goal attempt.
The kick is good from 39 yards out, making it 30-17 USC with 12:42 to play in the game.
Price's kick is returned by Velus Jones Jr. for 23 yards to the USC 28-yard line. 1st and 10 Trojans.
USC keeping the clock running by feeding Jones three straight times for 15 yards. 1st and 10 Trojans.
Darnold hits Mitchell on 3rd and 14 for for a 15-yard gain and another Trojan first down.
Darnold hits Mitchell again, who bobbles but holds on, for a 26-yard gain down to the Colorado 22-yard line. 1st and 10 Trojans.
Jones cuts back from the Colorado defense and finds a seam for a 22-yard touchdown. USC goes for 2, as Darnold finds Erik Krommenhoek to cap off an 8-play, 72-yard scoring drive and makes it 38-17 Trojans with 8:56 to play.
Blackmon and Nixon let the kick go out of the back of the end zone for a touchback. It will be 1st and 10 Colorado from the 25-yard line.
Montez connects with Winfree for a 57-yard score, making the score 38-23 with 7:35 left in the game. That is Winfree's second touchdown of over 50 yards today, giving him 152 receiving yards on the day. Stefanou's kick makes it 38-24, capping off a 4-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
Stefanou and Chris Graham both on the field for the kickoff, panicking Clay Helton into taking his second timeout of the half. Kickoff still to come.
Stefanou's onside kick received cleanly by Burnett at the Colorado 48-yard line. 1st and 10 for the Trojans with 7:34 to play.
Wigley with another pass break up, setting up 4th and 4 for USC after keeping it on the ground the first two plays. Punt team on for the Trojans with Blackmon deep to receive.
Blackmon calls for a fair catch at the Colorado 15-yard line, where Montez and the offense have 6:12 to score 14 points.
Three straight plays of zero yardage brings up 4th and 10 on the Colorado 15-yard line, where Colorado has to go for it to stay in the game.
Montez is picked off on 4th down, as Harris gets his second interception of the game and laterals the ball to teammate Marvell Tell III who takes it in from 26 yards out for a Trojan pick-six. Play is under review to see if Harris was down before pitching--which it appears as though he was.
After review, Harris' knee was in fact down before pitching the ball to Tell. Great play by Devin Ross to bring Harris down, which backs the Trojans up nearly 19 yards from where they would've received the ball had Harris just knocked the ball down. 1st and 10 Trojans with 5:45 to play.
Landman wraps Jones up for a loss of one on third down, bringing up 4th and 6 for the Trojans from the Colorado 22-yard line. Timeout Colorado with 5:39 to play, USC to go for it.
Darnold's end zone try to Mitchell broken up by Trey Udoffia. Buffs take over on downs at their own 22-yard line. Interesting decision by Helton to keep the game at two possessions instead of allowing a McGrath field goal attempt.
After an 11-yard run, Montez finds Ross for a 14-yard completion on fourth down for a Colorado first down. Ball now on the USC 26 with 3:58 to play, clock running.
Montez taken down for a 7-yard sack by Christian Rector, setting up a 4th and 6 from the USC 23.
Montez finds Bobo over the middle for a 10-yard completion and Colorado first down.
Montez stuffed on 4th and inches from the USC 3-yard line for a loss of 5, turning the ball over to the Trojans who can kneel the clock out and earn the Pac-12 South Title.
Darnold in victory formation, as the Trojans will pull this one off with a 38-24 win in a game full of Colorado miscues. Colorado moves to 5-6 (2-6) with a must-win-regular-season finale in Salt Lake City on the schedule for next Saturday.
That's all from Folsom Field, as the USC Trojans prevail over the Buffs to earn a trip to Santa Clara for the Pac-12 title game in December, officially ending Colorado's year-long-division reign.

Game Updates: Colorado vs. USC

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Players Mentioned

Ronnie Blackmon

Bryce Bobo

Shay Fields

Nick Fisher

George Frazier

Chris Graham

Akil Jones

Alex Kinney

Afolabi Laguda

Nate Landman

Drew Lewis

Phillip Lindsay

Jay MacIntyre

Chris Mulumba

K.D. Nixon

Isaiah Oliver

Devin Ross

Kyle Trego

Trey Udoffia

Dante Wigley

Juwann Winfree

Evan Worthington

Colorado University Athletics