BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Malaefou MacKenzie scored twice and quarterback Carson Palmer turned in another outstanding performance Saturday to give No. 16 Southern California a surprisingly easy 40-3 win over 19th-ranked Colorado.
The Buffaloes were held to 95 yards and suffered its worse home loss in four decades.
With starting quarterback Craig Ochs sidelined by a concussion, Colorado (1-2) could get nothing going on offense. The Buffaloes were held to a single-digit score at Folsom Field for the first time since Oct. 10, 1998 against Kansas State.
Behind MacKenzie, the Trojans (2-0) opened a 20-0 halftime lead. In the fourth quarter, Mike Ross fell on a blocked punt in the end zone.
It added up to Colorado's worst home loss since a 62-0 thrashing by Oklahoma on Nov. 3, 1962. In that season, the Buffs had 16 of their top 33 players ruled ineligible by the NCAA and finished 2-8.
Palmer completed 21 of 30 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Two Colorado quarterbacks combined to complete only two of 13 throws.