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Thursday, April 30th 2026

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How it happened: Colorado’s rally falls short in loss to USC at Folsom Field

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Colorado Buffaloes running back Anthony Hankerson (9) hits a wall of defense as he runs the ball at Folsom Field on September 30, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. Head coach Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes take on the USC Trojans, after last week’s 42-6 loss in Oregon. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
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Jeff Bailey of The Denver Post
By | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Game headlines

FINAL: USC 48, CU 41

FORTH QUARTER

(1:40 p.m.): Did the Buffs just get one in the MV (Moral Victory) column?

Say what you will about the first half, the Buffs showed something over the final two quarters of that game. The Trojans should consider themselves lucky that CU played as conservatively as it did in the first half. Here’s guessing the Buffs would like a do-over on that. — Matt Schubert

(1:38 p.m.) The Trojans recover the onside, and that’s gonna do it. — Matt Schubert

(1:37 p.m.): We’ve got a one score-game folks, after Shedeur Sanders hits Jimmy Horn Jr for a 16-yard strike in the middle of the end zone. Not to state the obvious. but this HAS to be an onside kick now. 48-41 with 1:43 left and no timeouts for the Buffs. — Matt Schubert

And welcome to stupid. But fun stupid. — Sean Keeler

(1:30 p.m.): FIELD GOAL MISSED! The Buffs refuse to die. It’s 48-34 with 5:58 left in the fourth quarter. Obviously, need a TD here. — Matt Schubert

We’re a score away from stupid. — Sean Keeler

Colorado’s cornerbacks have played very well in the second half — Omarion Cooper and Cormani McClain in particular. The windows for Caleb Williams to throw into have gotten much tighter, and he couldn’t find anyone on that third-down play. — Corey Masisak

(1:23 p.m.): Odd call on fourth-and-5. Why roll right and cut off half the field? Trojans stop. That might be game. Although, we keep saying that … — Matt Schubert

Too much Louis up front. For the other guys. Buffs need another defensive save here. — Sean Keeler

(1:20 p.m.): USC had a defensive lineman lined up offside on that third-down play. Not sure how the officials didn’t see that. Everyone else in the press box sure could. — Matt Schubert

Colorado has 26 first downs and 490 yards. USC has 25 first downs and 483 yards. Huge fourth-down play coming. — Corey Masisak

(1:16 p.m.): S-T-A-R. Star. — Sean Keeler

(1:14 p.m.): Let’s all just take a moment to remember this was a 27-point game. We’re one CU score away from it being a one-score game. Simply incredible. — Matt Schubert

(1:13 p.m.): STOP — Matt Schubert

(1:11 p.m.): USC is SHOOK. We’re a play away from this turning into a Buffs avalanche. Get a stop here on the Trojans, and the Buffs get the ball back with a red-hot Shedeur Sanders. — Matt Schubert

(1:06 p.m.): So, onside kick? — Matt Schubert

(1:05 p.m.): And a Big 12 game has broken out. Just the way Prime and Lincoln like it. — Sean Keeler

That might have been the best throw of the day for Sanders. USC’s defense is shook. Two or three defensive backs looked confused about their assignments just before the snap, but that was a great throw and great catch from breakout star Omarior Miller. — Corey Masisak

Shedeur Sanders is special. Maybe 2-3 guys in the country can make that throw he just made to Omarion Miller for a touchdown. Maybe. It’s 48-34 with 11:55 to go, and now it’s on the defense to making another stop. — Matt Schubert

THIRD QUARTER THOUGHTS 

Matt Schubert, sports editor: The Buffs aren’t going away. With the ball in USC territory to start the fourth quarter, they could put some real pressure on the Trojans late. That, in and of itself, feels like an accomplishment.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: The Buffs pick off the No. 1 pick and are feeling it right now … although they’re down 21, still. If CU can punch it in, we’ve got a game. Either way, we’ve got more entertainment than we had at this time a week ago. More Omarion Miller, Prime. Please.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Caleb Williams richly deserved the Heisman. But for next 15 years, I’m taking Shedeur Sanders as my quarterback. Don’t @ me.

(12:55 p.m.): And we got a CU interception. Caleb Williams threw that thing up for grabs, and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig was there to grab it. This could get interesting, folks. — Matt Schubert

(12:54 p.m.): Sean Lewis was pretty conservative early on, but he’s gone into his bag for some really nice play calls as the game progressed. The praise he’s gotten from national media members looks justified in person, even if one of the talking points after this one will be USC’s suspect defense for a team with playoff aspirations. — Corey Masisak

(12:53 p.m.): Shedeur Sanders’ deep passes are a work of art. After CU cashes in another, a screen pass to Michael Harrison results in a TD. Another fantastic Sanders throw to Omarion Miller on the 2-point conversion nearly cashed in. The score is now 48-27 with 1:03 left in the third quarter. — Matt Schubert

Don’t care. STILL a star. — Sean Keeler

(12:49 p.m.): Omarion Miller is a budding star, baby. — Sean Keeler

(12:45 p.m.): Give the Trojans a break like that PI flag, and they are too good not to take advantage. It’s now 48-21 USC after Caleb Williams’ sixth touchdown pass of the game. — Matt Schubert

That’s six touchdown passes for Caleb Williams. That’s the most he’s thrown for in a USC uniform. He had one six-score game against Texas Tech as a freshman at Oklahoma. — Corey Masisak

(12:42 p.m.): Cormani McClain getting a TALKING to by coach Travis Hunter after letting Rice run free on that last one. — Sean Keeler

(12:41 p.m.): That’s a ROUGH pass interference flag. The Buffs had Brenden Rice blanketed on that throw. Not sure you should be penalized for that. –Matt Schubert

(12:39 p.m.): Give the Buffs this much: They are moving the ball pretty consistently now.. An Anthony Hankerson 3-yard TD run has the score at 41-21. The problem is Caleb Williams and the Trojans can pretty much name their score. — Matt Schubert

(12:30 p.m.): Another touchdown for Brenden Rice, who’s loving this homecoming to Boulder. Cormani McClain made a nice play on the ball to break up a slant to Rice on the play before. USC just moved Rice over to the other sider of the field and cashed in on attempt No. 2. It’s 41-14 USC and the student section is starting to thin out. — Matt Schubert

Buffs 14, Brenden Rice 12. Perspective, people. — Sean Keeler

(12:25 p.m.): Caleb Williams is 20 of 23 in this game — two overthrows on the second drive and one he intentionally put in the dirt because the screen wasn’t open. — Corey Masisak

(12:21 p.m.): This Buffs offensive line cannot hold up in third-and-long situations against the Trojans. First and second downs are absolutely critical for the Buffs and they haven’t been consistently good enough on those downs to keep up with the Trojans. — Matt Schubert

(12:18 p.m.): With 11:27 to go in the third, CU is outrushing USC 142-79. But thanks to special teams snafus and a Shedeur pick, it doesn’t matter. Although would a 34-17 score right now make Buffs Nation feel much better? — Sean Keeler

On the six drives where Colorado didn’t gift the ball to the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner in Buffs territory, CU’s defense has three stops. Two of the five touchdowns came after a blocked punt and an interception. — Corey Masisak

(12:08 p.m.): Shedeur Sanders starts the second half with another long run. But when this Buffs offense doesn’t get gains on first down, it’s a problem. That was the case on Play No. 2, and Sanders was sacked two plays later to end the CU drive. — Matt Schubert

HALFTIME THOUGHTS

Matt Schubert, sports editor: The Buffs didn’t play the flawless first half they needed to, and the Trojans are ahead three touchdowns as a result. Do they have enough defensive stops in them to make this interesting? Remember, Oregon didn’t score a ton in the second half, despite the fact that the Ducks were trying REALLY hard. So never say never. But, yeah, probably not.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: And I have learned a new X/Twitter insult: “TikTok Team.” As in, that’s what USC socials are calling the Buffs right now. Frankly, it’s hard to argue. While Shedeur Sanders has had to try to do it all — and forced a pick that set up an SC score — to keep CU hanging, Caleb Williams has completed his last 13 pass attempts. So, yeah, imagine he’d probably look OK in Orange and Blue.

Corey Masisak, sports reporter: Shedeur Sanders has seven carries for 56 yards after that touchdown run. His career high, regardless of level, is 58 rushing yards in 2021 against Alabama A&M when he played for Jackson State. No sacks for USC so far today.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Trojans are definitely better football team than the Buffs. But is Caleb Williams better quarterback than Shedeur Sanders? Nope.

(11:43 a.m.): Shedeur Sanders is using his legs, and it’s benefiting the Buffs greatly. The USC defense parted like the Red Sea on that last play, and Sanders had the athleticism to turn that into a 25-yard touchdown. A reminder: The Buffs do start the second half with the ball. There is still a world where this game gets interesting again. — Matt Schubert

(11:33 a.m.): Our old friend again, Brenden Rice. We’re now in Oregon territory. 34-7 Trojans. — Matt Schubert

(11:20 a.m.): Somebody’s adjusted to that Mile High altitude. Caleb Williams has completed seven straight throws after a 4-for-7 start. Come on, Broncos, you can DO this! (As in, stink it up in Chi-town.) — Sean Keeler

(11:15 a.m.): Cormani McClain sighting! Other than that, yuck. USC 27, Buffs 7. — Sean Keeler

Back to Bummersville in Boulder. Give this USC offense short fields and they will murder you. CU’s done that twice today. Before ended up with Caleb Williams TD passes. — Matt Schubert

(11:13 a.m.): And … so much for the score. Annnnnnd … so much for the game. — Sean Keeler

Errant throw, false start, three-and-out for CU. The Buffs have to play perfect football to stay in this game. They are not. And a punt block has the Trojans back in business. — Matt Schubert

Two special teams gaffes for Colorado — can’t get the rugby-style punt blocked. Can’t give Caleb Williams short fields like this. — Corey Masisak

(11:09 a.m.): We’ve got ourselves a momentum change. A surprising draw from USC on third-and-long and now it’s CU ball at their 25-yard line. It’s 21-7 USC with 9:15 left in the second quarter. — Matt Schubert

(11:07 a.m.): Stop and a score, you got a game again. Buffs just got the stop. — Sean Keeler

(11:06 a.m.): Jahquez Robinson is probably not going to enjoy the film review of this for the Buffs. He’s having some serious issues making tackles out in space. — Corey Masisak

(11:02 a.m.): Colorado has drives of 67 and 75 yards in the first 17 minutes of this game. Oregon’s defense might be better than USC’s. — Corey Masisak

When the Buffs tackle like the Broncos, da Buffs are in T-R-O-U-B-L-E. — Sean Keeler

(11:01 a.m.): We might just have ourselves a game in Boulder, folks. For the first time today, the Buffs ripped off multiple chunk plays, the last of which was a 30-yard strike to Jimmy Horn Jr. USC leads, 21-7. — Matt Schubert

Buffs RPO-ing USC to death, and the “R” part of that is … actually … working. Might be too little, too late, down 21-0, but if the Trojans want a shootout, Sean Lewis is more than happy to play that kinda game. — Sean Keeler

(10:56 a.m.): Holy 5th Down! Not gonna miss Pac-12 refs, are we, kids? –Sean Keeler

(Monty Python voice) Pac-12 refs are silly. — Sean Keeler

Lincoln Riley does not appear to be a fan of the Buffs getting a do-over. — Matt Schubert

(10:52 a.m.): Another USC touchdown, and it’s entering Name Your Score time. The Buffs are shook and this crowd has lost all of the life it once had. Reality appears to be sinking in. This wasn’t a one-off. The Buffs still have a long ways to go to get to the level of college football’s elite. — Matt schubert

FIRST QUARTER THOUGHTS

Matt Schubert, sports editor: If you had USC to cover, you’re feeling really, really good right now. The Buffs have to execute 10-15 perfect plays to score on this defense right now. USC needs one.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: After 15 minutes, the Buffs are outrushing USC 53-33 … for all the good it did ’em. Oregon has the better defense, but USC has the more explosive passing game. Either way, it adds up the makings of a long mid-morning at Folsom Field for Team Prime. Where’s Snoop?

Corey Masisak, sports reporter: Colorado ran 22 plays in the first quarter and only one went for negative yards. But only one explosive play as well. And USC appears poised to collect a whole bunch of those today.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: First-quarter musings: I’ve never seen 70 points scored twice by one team in a single week. But itap not out of the question.

(10:45 a.m.): That is Shaduer Sanders’ first big mistake of the day. Xavier Weaver was open on third down, but Sanders, on the run, just missed him. Interception and USC is in business in CU territory. — Corey Masisak

(10:44 a.m.): And might be time to play “Spot-The-Celeb” for the rest of this one, kids. USC gifted glorious field position at CU 22. Oy. — Sean Keeler

Shedeur Sanders gets pressured and throws what can only be described as a bad ball. Interception. This is about to get out of hand, folks. Matt Schubert

And might be time to play “Spot-The-Celeb” for the rest of this one, kids. USC gifted glorious field position at CU 22. Oy. — Sean Keeler

(10:39 a.m.): And Big Russ is Big Sad again. Because Caleb Williams turned the scramble play, waited for a dude, and turned it into a 71-yard score. And it’s 14-0, Men of Ferrell. –Sean Keeler

Caleb Williams had a full seven seconds to move around do one of his Patrick Mahomes impressions on that long touchdown. — Corey Masisak

And that’s why Caleb Williams is special. With the CU pass rush unable to get any pressure on third-and-5, the USC quarterback bought time to his left, allowing receiver Tahj Washington to leak out deep. Perfect throw on the run, then Washington does the rest. And it’s 14-0 Trojans with 2:30 left in the first quarter. This could go Full Oregon here real quick if the Buffs don’t answer. — Matt Schubert

(10:35 a.m.): That was a really promising drive for CU, but also showed how thin the margins could be today. Stay on schedule, control the ball/clock, but one first-down pass batted down ended up derailing the whole thing. — Corey Masisak

(10:34 a.m.): And the Buffs will be changing kickers mid-game again, kids. Can’t have that. — Sean Keeler

A promising drive stalls out after Shedeur Sanders can’t find an open receiver on third-and-long, and then a semi-shank from Jace Feeley. The good news: The Buffs held on to the ball for a while. The bad news: They could be down two touchdowns in two minutes. — Matt Schubert

(10:32 a.m.): USC has been daring Colorado to run the ball with as few as five guys in the box, and the Buffs finally found an opening there. — Corey Masisak

Is that a Buffs run game I see?!?!? — Matt Schubert

(10:29 a.m.): Think the Buffs will be a half-yard short of the line to gain. Another third down. These long, drawn-out drives are exactly what the doctor ordered. No doubt CU would sign up for multiple drives with lots of third-down  conversions. — Matt Schubert

(10:26 a.m.): That was CU’s sixth first down on 10 tries on a run on third-and-3-or-less.  USC is 4-for-8. So there’s that. — Sean Keeler

The Buffs are matriculatin’ the ball down the field — just not in the Hank Stram kind of way. And USC does USC things with a dead  ball foul. Mistake-prone USC is the USC the Buffs need to see today. –Matt Schubert

(10:22 a.m.): Shedeur’s a “strategic” scrambler, not a “1-2-3-takeouff” dude. But he might have to shorten the count and take off today some. — Sean Keeler

Nothing but short passes right now from the Buffs. They do not trust this offensive line. — Matt Schubert

(10:20 a.m.): Caleb Williams appears to be getting used to throwing at altitude. Sailed back-to-back balls and then fumbled a snap. CU gets the stop they desperately needed. Although it didn’t have much to do with anything they did. — Matt Schubert

Somebody tell Caleb Williams the ball travels 10% farther at altitude. — Mark Kiszla

(10:19 a.m.): Caleb Williams misses a wide-open receiver deep! Don’t do it Broncos! (Also, George Paton and a billion scouts are here today, no shock.) — Sean Keeler

(10:15 a.m.): Haven’t spotted Will Ferrell or Snoop Dogg yet, but we’ve got some press box “royalty” in da house today: Peter King. CU officials said he told them it’s the first college game he’s attended in … forever. Maybe ever. — Sean Keeler

(10:14 a.m.): Two screens after a nice gain on first down, and nothing doing. The Buffs clearly do not want Shedeur Sanders holding onto the ball for very long, and the Trojans seem to be well aware. — Matt Schubert

(10:13 a.m.): Screen, screen, screen, zig left, zag right, touchdown. USC picking up right where Oregon left off. Namely, in the end zone. And it only took six plays to get there. The Buffs have to score 38-40 to hang in this one. Minimum. — Sean Keeler

(10:11 a.m.): OK, this is what CU absolutely needs this weekend: An immediate answer to a drive like that from USC. The Trojans need to know they’re in for a fight and the Buffs need to believe. If this gets ugly early, it’s hard to see CU having any chance. — Matt Schubert

(10:09 a.m.): CU had that run from MarShawn Lloyd dead to rights. This could be a long afternoon, Buffs fans. It’s already 7-0 USC with 12:33 left in the first quarter. — Matt Schubert

Will CU ever lead in this game? Maybe. But I wouldn’t bet on it. — Mark Kiszla

(10:08 a.m.): And there’s our old friend Brenden Rice on third and long. This USC offense is really something. — Matt Schubert

(10:06 a.m.): Really curious to see how the CU defense comes out against this USC offense. Oregon cut through them like butter. Can they respond this week? — Matt Schubert

Game predictions

Matt Schubert, sports editor: As has been said thousands of times over the past couple of weeks, the Buffs are sneaking up on nobody. How much of the Trojans’ struggles last week at ASU can be attributed to them looking ahead to this Big Noon game in Boulder? I’m guessing a small amount. The Trojans aren’t great at tackling, but they are great at rushing the passer. And that last part is not great for a CU line that struggles to protect Shedeur Sanders. Score: USC 38, Colorado 28.

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Who cares about final score? All that matters: Will Broncos take Caleb Williams or Shedeur Sanders in the 2024 NFL draft? BTW: USC 45, Colorado 24.

Pre-game updates

Get ready to hear “The Only Song We Know” roughly five dozen times over the next three hours — especially if things are going well for the Trojans. We’re a half hour before tip and the USC band is already playing it. — Matt Schubert

CU Buffs vs. Nebraska: Must reads

Keeler: Where’s Cormani McClain? Stuck in Deion Sanders’ doghouse. There’s only one way out. “Itap time to grow up.”

Deion Sanders dunked on Cormani McClain so hard, Samari Rolle flinched. In Florida.

“I know whatap going on. And having been around Cormani, I think he’s got all types of God-given ability.” Rolle, the former NFL Pro Bowl cornerback and McClain mentor told me Tuesday, cutting straight to the chase. “And I think it can be frustrating when you’re coaching him, and he’s not putting it all together.”

Four weeks in, CU Buffs fans are frustrated. McClain, presumably, feels frustrated. Coach Prime? Sanders passed “frustrated” about five exits ago. Read more…

Pac-12 football: What to make of Colorado? Don’t overthink the Buffs, just enjoy them

Our Google search for the terms ‘Colorado,’ ‘Sanders,’ and ‘fraud’ this morning required exactly 0.26 seconds to spit out a slew of results. Substitute the term ‘overrated’ into the search bar, and a whopping 0.39 seconds were needed.

Anyone who witnessed the 42-6 wipeout at Oregon on Saturday would conclude Deion Sanders’ team did not look worthy of a top-25 ranking, national television broadcast or an ounce of attention from the college football media machinery.

Sanders himself called it a “good old-fashioned butt-kicking.”

Counterpoint to the criticism from beyond Boulder’s borders: So what? Read more…

Travis Hunter, Henry Blackburn hugged it out, bowled for charity this week

Travis Hunter and Henry Blackburn didn’t just hug it out. The CU Buffs and CSU Rams rivals bowled it out together this past Wednesday night.

“For the people that love to see negativity, this ain’t a negative video, man,” Hunter told Blackburn in a new video that featured the pair, which was posted to the CU two-way star’s YouTube channel early Thursday evening.

“Just making sure my guy is straight, checking with him,” Blackburn said on the video as he hugged Hunter.

The two then conversed on a bench and compared their background sand shared faith. Read more…

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