Colorado-USC Notes
vs
TCU
Oct 4 (Sat)
5:30 p.m.
Players who carried out CU’s symbolic instruments tonight:
Sledgehammer: Drew Lewis
Toolbox: Chase Newman
United States Flag: Tony Brown
Colorado Flag: Hunter Vaughn
QUICKLY
TV Replays: Sunday: 1 p.m. on AT&T Sports Net. Monday: 10 a.m. on Fox Sports 2; 5 p.m. & 9 p.m. on AT&T Sports Net. Tuesday: 1 a.m. on Fox Sports 1; 8 p.m. on AT&T Sports Net.
Colorado sold its entire ticket allotment for this game (3,000) … The Buffs had won three straight games dating back to 2014 when wearing gold helmets/white jerseys/gold pants … USC now leads the series by a 13-0 count (7-0 in Los Angeles) … This marked the third time CU had a lead versus USC since the Buffs joined the Pac-12 in 2011: CU led 7-0 in ’11, 17-3 in ’15 and tonight… When USC took a 21-7 lead late in the first half, it marked the first time that CU trailed by two scores in 2018 … Of the 73 plays in the first half, only 13 were in plus territory (USC 8, CU 5) …
Player One Liners. CB Chris Miller made his first career start … WR Jaylon Jackson saw his first career action (the 42nd player to do so for CU this season), and also made his first career receptions … Colorado has scored in 20 of 24 quarters this season … PK James Stefanou is now 61-of-61 for his career in PAT kicks … S Kyle Trego recovered CU’s onside kick; the Buffs had not recovered one for the previous six tries (including one in this game), as WR Nelson Spruce recovered the last one at Oregon in 2014.
Scoreless First Quarter. The scoreless first quarter in tonight’s game was just the ninth involving the Buffaloes over the last 196 games (dating back to 2003) … but the second season in a row with the Trojans.
Interceptions. ILB Drew Lewis made his first career interception on the first play of the game; it was CU’s fourth pick of the year, all by linebackers at that point. The secondary then got its first later in the quarter when S Evan Worthington had the fourth of his career.
Strength vs. Strength: Colorado came in allowing just 3 points in the fourth quarter (best in the nation); USC came in with 39 fourth quarter points (47th). Winner: Colorado won the quarter, 13-3, meaning CU has yet to allow a fourth quarter TD. CU outgained the Trojans 101-22, and over the last two games CU has outgained the opponent 198-25 with 22:36 of possession time.
Turnover Streak Ends. Ajene Harris’ interception in the third quarter ended a run of 11 straight quarters by the Buffs without committing a turnover; it also ended a streak of 83 consecutive passes by QB Steven Montez without throwing a pick, his third streak of 80-plus in his career.
INDIVIDUAL LINER NOTES
WR Laviska Shenault (9-72 receiving; 2-46, 1 TD rushing)
Before leaving with a foot injury, he improved his numbers to 60 receptions for 780 yards (13.0 per) in six games; his streak of one receiving TD in five games came to an end (it tied for the second longest streak in CU history, two short of the record), but his career-long rush of 49 yards for a score extended it overall to six games (11 TDs on the season).
QB Steven Montez (47-26-1, 170 passing; 9-9 rushing, 1 TD)
With 179 yards total offense, he moved into fifth on CU’s all-time list with (6,285), passing Tyler Hansen (6,183, 2008-11).
Sledgehammer: Drew Lewis
Toolbox: Chase Newman
United States Flag: Tony Brown
Colorado Flag: Hunter Vaughn
QUICKLY
TV Replays: Sunday: 1 p.m. on AT&T Sports Net. Monday: 10 a.m. on Fox Sports 2; 5 p.m. & 9 p.m. on AT&T Sports Net. Tuesday: 1 a.m. on Fox Sports 1; 8 p.m. on AT&T Sports Net.
Colorado sold its entire ticket allotment for this game (3,000) … The Buffs had won three straight games dating back to 2014 when wearing gold helmets/white jerseys/gold pants … USC now leads the series by a 13-0 count (7-0 in Los Angeles) … This marked the third time CU had a lead versus USC since the Buffs joined the Pac-12 in 2011: CU led 7-0 in ’11, 17-3 in ’15 and tonight… When USC took a 21-7 lead late in the first half, it marked the first time that CU trailed by two scores in 2018 … Of the 73 plays in the first half, only 13 were in plus territory (USC 8, CU 5) …
Player One Liners. CB Chris Miller made his first career start … WR Jaylon Jackson saw his first career action (the 42nd player to do so for CU this season), and also made his first career receptions … Colorado has scored in 20 of 24 quarters this season … PK James Stefanou is now 61-of-61 for his career in PAT kicks … S Kyle Trego recovered CU’s onside kick; the Buffs had not recovered one for the previous six tries (including one in this game), as WR Nelson Spruce recovered the last one at Oregon in 2014.
Scoreless First Quarter. The scoreless first quarter in tonight’s game was just the ninth involving the Buffaloes over the last 196 games (dating back to 2003) … but the second season in a row with the Trojans.
Interceptions. ILB Drew Lewis made his first career interception on the first play of the game; it was CU’s fourth pick of the year, all by linebackers at that point. The secondary then got its first later in the quarter when S Evan Worthington had the fourth of his career.
Strength vs. Strength: Colorado came in allowing just 3 points in the fourth quarter (best in the nation); USC came in with 39 fourth quarter points (47th). Winner: Colorado won the quarter, 13-3, meaning CU has yet to allow a fourth quarter TD. CU outgained the Trojans 101-22, and over the last two games CU has outgained the opponent 198-25 with 22:36 of possession time.
Turnover Streak Ends. Ajene Harris’ interception in the third quarter ended a run of 11 straight quarters by the Buffs without committing a turnover; it also ended a streak of 83 consecutive passes by QB Steven Montez without throwing a pick, his third streak of 80-plus in his career.
INDIVIDUAL LINER NOTES
WR Laviska Shenault (9-72 receiving; 2-46, 1 TD rushing)
Before leaving with a foot injury, he improved his numbers to 60 receptions for 780 yards (13.0 per) in six games; his streak of one receiving TD in five games came to an end (it tied for the second longest streak in CU history, two short of the record), but his career-long rush of 49 yards for a score extended it overall to six games (11 TDs on the season).
QB Steven Montez (47-26-1, 170 passing; 9-9 rushing, 1 TD)
With 179 yards total offense, he moved into fifth on CU’s all-time list with (6,285), passing Tyler Hansen (6,183, 2008-11).