Barkley burns Buffaloes

BOULDER, Colo. – Matt Barkley threw for a school-record six touchdowns and saved another with a tackle following his sole interception as No. 21 Southern California bounced back from its heartbreaking triple-overtime loss to Stanford with a 42-17 Pac-12 football win over Colorado Friday night.

Robert Woods and Marqise Lee each caught two of Barkley’s touchdown passes.

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

The win over the beleaguered Buffaloes (1-9, 0-6) capped a wild week for the Trojans that included two days of tirades from coach Lane Kiffin against several officiating decisions in last week’s loss, which resulted in a hefty fine and an unprecedented reprimand from the league.

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 to serve a 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 3 minutes into the game.

It was Colorado’s first lead since Oct. 15 against Washington, four games back.