Barkley throws a record 6 TDs in USC's romp over Colorado

So much for the emotional letdown.

Fresh off a tough three overtime loss to Stanford and Andrew Luck, USC quarterback Matt Barkley broke the school record with six touchdowns as the Trojans bounced back to crush Colorado, 42-17 in Boulder on Friday night. 
 
Robert Woods and Marqise Lee each caught two of Barkley's TD passes.

Another player who bounced back was Curtis McNeal, an undersized junior tailback whose fumble ended USC's loss to the Cardinal. He rushed for 87 yards on 10 carries in his first career start for the Trojans (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12).

This was also business as usual for the overwhelmed Buffaloes (1-9, 0-6), who continue to struggle in their first year in the Pac-12.  

Barkley completed 25 of 39 passes for 318 yards. Woods caught nine passes for 130 yards and Lee had nine receptions for 124 yards.

USC safety T.J. McDonald sat out the first half while serving a half-game suspension for his hit on Stanford receiver Chris Owusu. Drew McAllister, his replacement, was in coverage when Tyler Hansen hit Toney Clemons on a crossing route for a 37-yard touchdown three minutes into the game.

That marked Colorado's first lead since Oct. 3 against Washington, a span of 244 minutes, 10 seconds of game time. So much for leads.

Barkley led the Trojans 80 yards in seven plays to tie it, lofting a high-arcing pass over cornerback D.D. Goodson,and into Lee's hands from 33 yards out. It was one of four touchdown throws he would have against Colorado's depleted secondary before halftime.

Barkley put USC ahead for good at 14-7 with a 5-yard toss to tight end Xavier Grimble, capping an 85-yard drive.