USC vs. Colorado final score, result: Caleb Williams balls out as Trojans hold off Buffaloes' comeback attempt

Bryan Murphy

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USC vs. Colorado final score, result: Caleb Williams balls out as Trojans hold off Buffaloes' comeback attempt image

It was by no means pretty, but the Trojans remain perfect after surviving Saturday in Boulder. 

Caleb Williams and No. 8 USC did just enough to escape Colorado with a 48-41 win over Deion Sanders' squad. With the win, USC improves to 5-0, while Colorado drops to 3-2 after suffering its second defeat in a row. 

Williams, the defending Heisman Trophy winner, was sensational yet again, as the USC quarterback finished the game 30-for-40 with 403 yards through the air and six touchdowns. He added 25 rushing yards on five attempts, while throwing his first interception of the game. 

For Sanders, the Colorado QB enjoyed another strong day at the office. The son of Coach Prime threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns, while also getting picked off once. In the run game, Sanders added 76 yards on 14 carries, including a 25-yard rushing TD. 

It was a tale of two halves for both programs. The Trojans held a 34-14 lead at halftime, as the Buffaloes continuously shot themselves in the foot to start the game. A missed field goal, blocked punt and interception thrown by Colorado all led to USC's big lead after two quarters.

However, it was Lincoln Riley's team that made a number of errors in the second half that allowed Colorado to crawl back into the contest. USC led 48-21 at one point in the third quarter, however, the defense fell apart for the Trojans, allowing 20 unanswered points while Williams and the offense could not get back on the scoreboard. 

In the end, the comeback attempt was too little, too late for Shedeur Sanders and the Buffaloes. USC moved its all-time record against Colorado to 17-0 with the win on Saturday.

One of the biggest positives for Colorado was the emergence of wide receiver Omarion Miller. The freshman brought in seven catches for 196 yards and a touchdown, taking full advantage of increased playing time and targets. 

After two road victories, USC heads back home to Southern California next weekend, as the Trojans host Arizona in a Pac-12 matchup. Meanwhile, Colorado heads to Tempe next week, looking to get back in the win column with a game against Arizona State. 

MORE: Watch Colorado vs. USC live with Fubo (free trial)

The Sporting News tracked all the updates and highlights from USC vs. Colorado in Week 5 of the college football season. 

MORE: Caleb Williams boosts Heisman case with strong performance

USC vs. Colorado score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
USC 14 20 14 0 48
Colorado 0 14 13 14 41

USC vs. Colorado live updates, highlights from Week 5 game

Final: USC 48, Colorado 41

3:39 p.m. — That will do it. Feely's onside attempt goes right into the arms of USC, and the Trojans are going to hold on for the win. It certainly was not pretty at the end, but the strong first half by Williams and the offense is enough for the Trojans to move to 5-0. 

3:38 p.m. — Here is the game. Colorado has to come up with the recovery on the onside kick, otherwise USC can just kneel out the rest of the clock with Colorado having no timeouts left. 

USC 48, Colorado 41

3:37 p.m. — Touchdown! Folks, we have a one-score game. Sanders finds Horn Jr. over the middle for the 16-yard touchdown. Remember this game, was once at 48-21, as the Buffaloes have ripped off 20 unanswered points. It's the fourth passing TD for Sanders today. It's a seven-point game with 1:43 to go. 

3:34 p.m. — Miller yet again. Sanders slings it to the sideline and the freshman wide receiver gets the toes inbounds for the catch. Colorado is down to the USC 11 with just over two minutes to go. 

3:34 p.m. — Another catch for Miller picks up another first down, and Colorado is now in USC territory. 

3:32 p.m. — Sanders connects with Miller on third down for 14 yards to move the chains. However, Colorado is taking up a lot of clock, with some questionable run calls with no timeouts. 

3:31 p.m. — Missed field goal! Lynch's first field goal attempt of the day misses, as he pulls it wide right. That gives life to Colorado, who remain only down two scores with 5:58 to go. 

3:30 p.m. — Colorado gets to Williams on third down, as Derrick McLendon II, and Amari McNeill combine for the sack. USC has to settle for a field goal. 

3:25 p.m. — Williams dumps a pass off to Austin Jones, who races for a gain of 24 yards to the Colorado 18. 

3:20 p.m. — USC makes a big stop on fourth down. Colorado goes for it on 4th & 5 at midfield, but the pass rush gets to Sanders in the backfield for the sack by De'jon Benton. That's a mistake by the Buffaloes QB, who had to get the ball out for an attempt instead of taking the sack. 

3:16 p.m. — Miller nearly breaks away for another touchdown for Colorado, but Domani Jackson makes an exceptional diving tackle to bring down the Colorado receiver after a 28-yard gain along the sidelines. There was no one ahead of Miller if Jackson didn't make that play. 

3:11 p.m. — A massive stop by the Colorado defense, as Williams third down attempt falls incomplete. USC picks up a first down, but can't get another and are forced to punt the ball away. That's back-to-back stops by the Buffaloes' defense and Colorado has a chance to make this a one-score game with 10:29 left. 

USC 48, Colorado 34

3:03 p.m. — Touchdown! Miller does it again for Colorado. The Buffaloes go for it on 4th & 5, Sanders scrambles out of the pocket and rifles one into the end zone to Miller, who dives for the catch and score. The freshman has been sensational for Colorado, and it's now a 14-point game early in the fourth. 

3 p.m. — Colorado is threatening again, as the Buffaloes are back down in the red zone. A misdirection to Horn Jr. goes for 17 yards and Colorado is at the USC 14. 

End of third quarter: USC 48, Colorado 27

2:55 p.m. — Interception! Williams gets greedy on a deep ball for Mario Williams, and Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig comes up with the pick for Colorado. That's the first interception of the season for the USC star QB, and it gives Colorado the ball right back. 

USC 48, Colorado 27

2:51 p.m. — Touchdown! Back and forth we go, as Colorado answers yet again. This time, Sanders hits Michael Anderson for a 21-yard touchdown. The two-point attempt is no good, as Miller's toe is just out of bounds on the leaping catch. Nonetheless, Colorado isn't going away. 

2:50 p.m. — How about Omarion Miller? He follows up a 65-yard catch on the last drive with a 44-yard reception to get Colorado down to the USC 21. The freshman is taking full advantage of his opportunity. 

USC 48, Colorado 21

2:46 p.m. — Touchdown! USC marches right down the field after the Hankerson touchdown, and retakes a 27-point lead with a catch and score by Jude Wolfe. Williams has six touchdowns today, and as of that touchdown, that's the same amount of incompletions. Both sides are exchanging scores as USC tries to fend off this Colorado comeback attempt. 

2:41 p.m. — Williams gets picked off as his throw pops off a shoulder and into the arms of a Colorado defender, however the play comes back as Colorado is called for pass interference. 

USC 41, Colorado 21

2:37 p.m. — Touchdown! The long Miller reception sets up a Hankerson two-yard rushing touchdown to give Colorado its third TD of the game. The Buffaloes aren't going down without a fight, immediately responding to the Rice TD as the lead is cut back to 20 with 5:50. 

2:34 p.m. — Colorado needed a jump. Omarion Miller delivered. The freshman wide receiver took his first catch in his NCAA career 65 yards, bringing the ball all the way down to the USC 10-yard line. 

USC 41, Colorado 14

2:29 p.m. — Touchdown! After a failed slant to Rice on 1st & Goal, Willians goes back to the wide receiver on a slant from the other side for the score. That's the second TD on the day for Rice, and fifth for Williams. The Trojans up their lead to 27 with 7:14 left in the third. 

2:28 p.m. — Williams and USC offense is heading up again. Williams finds Mario Williams for a 28-yard gain and the Trojans have the ball in the red zone. 

2:21 p.m. — Both defense are flexing their muscle in this half. This time it's Romello Height who gets in the backfield for a USC sack. Colorado forced to punt again. 

2:15 p.m. — Colorado responds on defense, forcing USC to punt right away on its opening drive of the second half. 

2:09 p.m. — Sanders uses his legs to pick up a first down to start the half, but the USC defense forces a punt three plays later, thanks in part to a sack by Jamil Muhammad. The Trojans defense is getting to Sanders in the backfield. 

2:07 p.m. — The second half is underway, as USC kicks it away to Colorado. The Buffaloes start with the ball at their own 25. 

Halftime: USC 34, Colorado 14

USC 34, Colorado 14

1:43 p.m. — Touchdown! Sanders sees the defense leave the middle of the field open, and the Colorado QB uses his legs to sprint in for a 25-yard touchdown. If Colorado is going to make this a game, a touchdown was very much needed before the half, and Deion's son gets it done. Alejandro Mata's extra point makes it as 20-point game with 21 seconds left in the second quarter. 

1:38 p.m. — Colorado is stringing together a nice drive here late in the half. Sanders has used his legs a couple of times to pick up yards. USC seems content on sitting back and keeping the play in front of them, making sure to make tackles in bounds to keep the clock moving. But time is running out for Colorado, who needs a touchdown, not a field goal. 

USC 34, Colorado 7

1:32 p.m. — Touchdown! Make it touchdown No. 4 for Williams on the day. The Trojans QB finds Rice off an RPO, and the speedy wide receiver makes a man miss, races down the sideline and dives for the pylon. Lynch missed the extra point, so only six points on the board. Things have gotten out of hand fairly quickly for Colorado, who has had zero answer for the high-flying USC offense. 

1:28 p.m. — Just like that, USC is already across midfield. Williams finds Rice for 13 yards and then Lloyd picks up nine yards on second down to get to the 50-yard line. Williams already has over 200 passing yards in this contest and the first half isn't done yet. 

1:24 p.m. — Colorado's offense can't get anything going. The pass rush by USC is breaking through the offensive line, getting either tackles for losses or forcing Sanders to throw it away. The Buffaloes are forced to punt again after picking up just one first down on the drive. 

USC 28, Colorado 7

1:15 p.m. — Touchdown! Williams needs just two plays after the blocked punt to find the end zone, hitting Mario Williams on a post route for the 24-yard touchdown. The Trojans take advantage of another Buffaloes miscue, and it's back to a three-possession game with 7:30 left in the half. 

1:09 p.m. — Blocked punt! The USC special teams unit gets in on the party with a block on the Colorado punt attempt. It sets up with Trojans at the Colorado 23-yard line. Right when it looks like Colorado might be shifting momentum, USC grabs it right back. 

1:08 p.m. — Omarion Cooper comes up with Colorado's first sack of the day. He races in off the corner and levels Williams, who never saw the cornerback coming. It pushes USC out of field goal range, and after a third down stop, USC is forced to punt. 

1:06 p.m. — Lloyd has been unstoppable today for USC. He gets back-to-back carries and picks up gains of 12 and 18 yards to cross midfield. 

USC 21, Colorado 7

1 p.m. — Touchdown! Colorado is on the board. Sanders finds Horn Jr. wide open on a post route for a 30-yard score. The USC safety had dropped down, leaving the field open over the top. It's back to a two-possession game with 12:59 to go in the half. 

12:58 p.m. — Hankerson has been one of the lone bright spots so far for Colorado. The Buffaloes running back takes a carry for 18 yards to get Colorado into the USC half of the field. 

USC 21, Colorado 0

12:51 p.m. — Touchdown! On the first play of the second quarter, Singer hauls in an eight-yard pass on a crossing route for the touchdown. USC takes advantage of the Colorado turnover and turns it into seven points. 

End of first quarter: USC 14, Colorado 0

12:46 p.m. — The end of the first quarter ends with USC knocking on the door again, set up with 2nd & 7 at the Colorado 8-yard line. 

12:44 p.m. — Interception! Sanders is picked off by Christian Roland-Wallace on 3rd & 5, his second interception of the season. Sanders was trying to find Weaver, but the wide receiver went inside when Sanders thought he was going outside, resulting in the easy pick. Everything is going wrong for Colorado early, as USC regains possession at the Colorado 22. 

USC 14, Colorado 0

12:39 p.m. — Touchdown! The Trojans waste no time getting back on the board, as Williams connects with Tahj Washington on the third play of the drive for a 71-yard touchdown. The Trojans QB received excellent protection on 3rd down and eventually found a wide open Washington for not just the first down, but six points as well. Lynch's extra point goes through the uprights as USC extends its lead to 14-0 with 2:30 left in the first. 

12:32 p.m. — Missed field goal! Colorado gets the ball down to the USC 23 and bring out Jace Feely for a 41-yard field goal, however the attempt misses to the left. A 17-play drive results in no points for Colorado. 

12:31 p.m. — A Dylan Edwards run on second down is just short, but Anthony Hankerson takes a direct snap on third down and picks up the first down for Colorado. Hankerson then follows that up with a 21-yard run, putting the Buffaloes deep into the Trojans' territory. 

12:28 p.m. — A huge mistake by USC gives Colorado another break. The Buffaloes had 3rd & 1, but were called for a false start, pushing them back five yards. The next play, Colorado is called for offensive pass interference, but after the play, a personal foul against Domani Jackson gives Colorado an automatic first down. 

12:25 p.m. — Sanders is connecting early with Xavier Weaver. The wide receiver has three catches already on this drive, all short-yard gains. 

12:24 p.m. — Colorado gets a break, as USC is called for offsides on 3rd & 5, giving the Buffaloes an automatic first down. 

12:20 p.m. — A sloppy snap on 3rd & 10 causes a loose ball, but the Trojans are able to recover. Nonetheless, Colorado forces a punt, and will get the ball at its own 5-yard line. 

12:19 p.m. — Williams hits Kyron Hudson on the first play of the second drive for a first down for USC. The next play, the Trojans QB had Dorian Singer on what would have been a sure touchdown, but he could not connect. 

12:15 p.m. — Colorado can't generate anything on its first drive of the game. After a five-yard completion from Shedeur Sanders to Jimmy Horn Jr., the next two completions go for negative yards, as USC forces a three-and-out. 

USC 7, Colorado 0

12:09 p.m. — Touchdown! USC marches right down the field on the opening drive for the score, as MarShawn Lloyd rumbles in for a 27-yard rushing TD. Colorado has Lloyd contained behind the line, but the Trojans running back bounced to the outside and went down the sidelines for the touchdown. Denis Lynch's extra point is good. USC needed less than three minute before getting on the scoreboard.  

12:08 p.m. — Caleb Williams connects with Brendan Rice, the former Colorado wide receiver and son of Jerry Rice, for the first down on 3rd & 9. 

12:05 p.m. — The Buffaloes kick it away for a touchback, and USC vs. Colorado is on!

Pregame

11:49 a.m. — There is going to be a ton of celebrities in Boulder to watch Colorado and USC. From NBA superstars, to award-winning rappers, to A-list actors, the Coach Prime effect is real. 

11:40 a.m. — Colorado is 2-0 so far playing Boulder this year, picking up wins over Nebraska and Colorado State at home. On the other side, USC is 1-0 in its only road game so far, defeating Arizona State last week in Tempe. 

11:33 a.m. — A big loss for USC today, as star freshman Zachariah Branch will not dress today. The WR/KR took part in warmups, but will not play against Colorado. 

11:26 a.m. — Riley knows better than to give Deion Sanders any bulletin board material. Leading into the game, Riley praised Sanders' efforts so far this year turning around the Colorado program.  

"He’s done a great job. Look at the results. At the end of the day our job as coaches is to do what’s necessary to help make these programs (successful) and give us an opportunity. That’s kind of the end of it. We’ve all seen it here. There’s a lot more similarities in the transformation here and what coach has done at Colorado than there’s not. I see right where he’s coming from. He’s done a great job with the roster."

11:10 a.m. — On the other side, USC head coach Lincoln Riley has an excellent track record coaching against unranked opponents. Between his time at USC and Oklahoma, he is 46-3 when coaching an AP top-10 team against an unranked opponent.

11:06 a.m. — Colorado does not have a great history against AP top-10 opponents. Last week's loss to Oregon marked the 19th consecutive defeat at the hands of a top-10 team for the Buffaloes. The program's last win against a top-10 team was on Sept. 29, 2007, against No. 3 Oklahoma.

10:58 a.m. — Colorado has never beaten USC in program history. The Buffaloes and Trojans have faced off 16 times and all 16 have resulted in USC victories. The last time the two programs played each other was last year, where USC laid a 55-17 beatdown on Colorado. 

10:47 a.m. — Following up on Shilo Sanders, the Colorado safety did not partake in warmups, so it does appear that he will not be available against USC. The Buffaloes secondary takes another blow, already down star cornerback Travis Hunter. 

10:04 a.m. — Colorado safety Shilo Sanders is "doubtful" to play against USC, according to ESPN. Sanders suffered a kidney injury during last week's loss to Oregon and did not practice all week. 

USC vs. Colorado start time

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 30
  • Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. MT | 9 a.m. PT

Colorado is getting the "Big Noon Kickoff" treatment from Fox for the third time this season.

Saturday's game is set to start at 12 p.m. ET (10 a.m. local time, 9 p.m. PT) from Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. 

What channel is USC vs. Colorado on today?

  • TV channel (national): Fox
  • Live stream: Fox Sports app, Fubo

Saturday's game between Colorado and Nebraska can be watched on Fox, which will broadcast the game nationally. Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt are expected to be on the call as Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" crew, joined by sideline reporter Jenny Taft. 

The game can also be streamed on the Fox Sports App. There will also be an option to stream Fox's coverage with Fubo.

 

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy Photo

Bryan Murphy joined The Sporting News in 2022 as the NHL/Canada content producer. Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team.