The lowdown: The action in Colorado was less-than-stellar in the first quarter as USC’s offense racked up yards but failed to capitalize, missing a field goal and failing on a fourth down conversion in the early going.
In the second, Michael Pittman carried USC down the field, making a clutch third down grab when Sam Darnold avoided pressure and extended the play. Then the big wide out went up high over Colorado’s top-flight cornerback Isaiah Oliver for his first career touchdown.
The Trojans followed that up with a drive starring Tyler Vaughns. The redshirt freshman caught two long passes down the sideline from Darnold to get USC in scoring position, despite a head-scratching personal foul on Vaughns for spinning the ball after a catch.