Will Cody Kessler's Record-Setting Day Fuel Trojans' Pac-12 Title Hopes?

LOS ANGELES — USC head coach Steve Sarkisian challenged quarterback Cody Kessler to open up the No. 22-ranked Trojans’ passing attack heading into Saturday’s 56-28 win over Colorado at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Kessler responded resoundingly, throwing five of his program-record seven touchdowns in the first half.

"[Quarterbacks] coach [and offensive coordinator Clay] Helton and I coach this guy harder than any other guy on the team," Sarkisian said of Kessler. "He comes to work every day with a mindset to get better."

It doesn't get any better than throwing more touchdowns in a game than anyone in Trojans history, including Heisman Trophy winners like Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart.

Kessler credited his former teammate and previous record-holder Matt Barkley both in the postgame press conference and via Twitter.

Barkley threw six touchdown passes four times in his career.   

As Kessler approached the mark in the third quarter, running back Javorius "Buck" Allen described an atmosphere like that of a baseball dugout when a pitcher is approaching a no-hitter.

"I didn't want to mess his groove up," Allen said. "I just wanted him to stay in the zone and do what [does]."

His teammates may not have chimed in, but Kessler said he "would be lying" if he claimed he didn't realize he was marching toward history.

Kessler surpassed past USC greats with his showing and, in the process, took a step toward matching another achievement predecessors like Palmer and Leinart reached: winning a conference championship.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

The Trojans added to their Pac-12 South-leading tally in the win column, improving to 4-1 in the league. With the more balanced offense it demonstrated against Colorado, USC is better equipped to compete for its first league championship since 2008.

Efforts like the Trojans wide receivers put forth Saturday won't hurt in that pursuit, either.

Kessler's record-setter came on Steven Mitchell’s lay-out grab of a 24-yard laser beam Kessler fired on the move. However, the record-tying strike he threw to wide receiver Nelson Agholor earlier in the third quarter fulfilled a point of emphasis Sarkisian set for his team heading into the week: increasing explosive plays with more downfield passes.

It didn't get much more explosive than Kessler's 75-yard bomb to Agholor, the receiver's personal best third score of the afternoon.

Agholor scored on previous passes of 16 and 18 yards.

The chemistry brewing between the two continues to develop each week and will be a bedrock of the passing game for the remainder of the season.

But perhaps the more meaningful development for USC’s immediate future was Kessler’s connection with John “JuJu” Smith.

Smith set the tone for the day when he snagged a diving catch on USC's opening drive, the first of four catches for 104 yards all made in the first half. One was also his first career touchdown.

"It feels good, man," Smith said. "I was hoping to score this week."

With touchdown No. 1 under his belt, Smith looks ready to break out as a key contributor in the USC offense for the remaining Pac-12 push.  

The Trojans receiving corps has lacked a consistent No. 2 to complement Agholor thus far into the season, but Smith provided the combination attack USC needs to keep defenses back on their heels in the home stretch.

"JuJu's been battling a bad thumb. For him to make a one-handed catch with a bad hand...I think the team appreciates guys fighting through [injuries]," Sarkisian said.

Smith also emerged as the potential deep-ball threat USC has sought for much of the season. He averaged 26 yards on his four receptions, which was vital to Kessler making good on the explosive play pursuit.

With a key date in the Pac-12 South race looming—next week’s visit to No. 20 Utah—USC came out with the kind of focus it will need to take control of the division.

"We're getting better by each game," Smith said.

Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise cited. Statistics via the USC athletic department.