LeBron James is rumored to be in the crowd at Saturday’s USC-Colorado game in Boulder. Heisman winner Caleb Williams and his Trojan teammates thwarted several of the King’s favorite on-field celebrations en route to a 48-41 victory over Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes.
And there was plenty to celebrate as Williams threw for 403 yards and a career-high six touchdown passes.
Williams crowned himself during a first-quarter celebration – a pantomime that James is known to perform after highlights. Additionally, Brenden, son of NFL legend Jerry Rice, and MarShawn Lloyd both copied James’ “muffler” by stretching their arms down and pounding their chests after touchdowns.
Thanks to the attention Sanders has brought to the program, Colorado had plenty of star power at a sold-out Folsom Field, with some familiar names from the world of sports and entertainment in attendance Saturday. Guests in the house included NBA stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett as well as pitcher CC Sabathia, receivers DeSean Jackson and Michael Westbrook, and rapper DaBaby.
Additionally, an even longer list of celebrities was expected at Saturday’s game, with rumors that LeBron and Bronny James, Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg would be in attendance. Bronny, James’ oldest son, is also a freshman basketball player at USC, although he and his father were not seen by cameras at the game. Music artists DJ Khaled and Lil Wayne were also expected to make the trip, while actors Will Ferrell and Matthew McConaughey were previously on the guest list.
Caleb Williams crowns himself – a mime that LeBron James is known to perform from time to time
LeBron James (who apparently will be crowned in April) was not pictured at Saturday’s game in Boulder
MarShawn Lloyd celebrates a touchdown for USC with LeBron James’ “Silencer”
Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes runs on the field in Boulder
Sanders has made Colorado the talk of football. Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” made its third appearance in Boulder this season.
DaBaby played an important role this weekend, giving a motivational speech the night before the game and leading the team onto the field by taking high steps along the sidelines.
The Trojans led 34-7 in the second quarter and saw Colorado storm back to tie the game by one point. With 1:43 remaining after Shedeur Sanders’ 16-yard TD strike to Jimmy Horn Jr., the Trojans recovered the onside kick attempt and Williams took three knees to complete the win.
The Trojans (5-0, 3-0 Pac-12) improved to 17-0 all-time against the Buffaloes (3-2, 0-2), who fell for the second straight game after a 3-0 start made Deion Sanders’ team the biggest story in college football.
Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans warms up before taking the field in Boulder
Williams (left) throws a pass under pressure from Colorado defenseman Leonard Payne
USC picked up right where Oregon left off last week, overwhelming the 21 1/2-point underdog Buffaloes in the first half.
Williams ran the offense smoothly, completing 17 passes in a row at one point. He also spread the wealth around, throwing TD passes to five different receivers as Coach Prime’s house full of celebrity guests watched.
Williams also threw six touchdown passes against Texas Tech on October 30, 2021 at Oklahoma. He threw his first interception of the season when Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig picked him off late in the third.
Shedeur Sanders finished the game with 371 passing yards and four touchdowns, along with a 25-yard sprinter for a score just before halftime. The Buffaloes fell behind by 27 late in the second quarter after a costly interception and a blocked punt, both deep in their own territory, before rallying.
Sanders completed a 9-yard TD score to Omarion Miller on fourth-and-5 with 11:55 left to make the score 48-34. USC kicker Denis Lynch had a chance to extend the lead, but his 38-yard attempt went wide.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett appeared to be in good spirits on the sideline before the game
DaBaby was spotted in the student section as Colorado took on USC on Saturday afternoon
Shedeur Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes leaves the field after the comeback failed
Miller had seven catches for 196 yards and a score for the Buffaloes.
Shedeur Sanders missed two consecutive games for the first time as a college starter. Colorado lost 42-6 to No. 9 Oregon last weekend when safety Shilo Sanders, Shedeur’s older brother, injured a kidney. Shilo Sanders was missing Saturday along with two-way star Travis Hunter, who missed his second game with a liver injury.
Shedeur Sanders posted a 23-3 record as the starting quarterback at Jackson State before following his father/coach to Boulder.
Former Colorado receiver Brenden Rice had two touchdown catches in his return to Boulder. Rice, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, joined the Trojans before the 2022 season.
The Buffaloes struggled on special teams, with Jace Feely missing a 41-yard field goal down the left sideline and Mark Vassett having a punt deflected by Eric Gentry.
Both errors were converted into TD passes by Williams.