SC A CLOSER LOOK: PALMER CONVINCING IN FINAL DRIVE QUARTERBACK SILENCES CRITICS WITH BIG GAME.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

With all questions about his ability long since answered Saturday night, USC quarterback Carson Palmer elevated a great effort into a marvelous one in the final minute against Colorado.

Palmer completed all six pass attempts on the Trojans' game-winning drive, moving the team into chip-shot field-goal range and restoring any faith that might have been lost in him following a subpar performance two weeks ago against Penn State.

``I felt great from the start,'' said Palmer, who finished 25 of 30 for 275 yards with one touchdown. Two pass attempts were dropped, and a third came on a clock-stopping spike in the final minute. ``I knew I played bad (against Penn State), but I also knew that wasn't going to happen again.''

For the most part, Palmer was nearly flawless. The coaching staff centered the offense on a short passing game, to exploit Colorado's fear of getting beaten by the deep pass, and under Palmer's direction, the offense succeeded.

Palmer completed passes to eight receivers, and aided by a strong effort from the offensive line, he showed the patience and awareness that were missing in the season opener.

The Buffaloes' defense conceded the short passing game to the Trojans and Palmer resisted the temptation to use USC's speed at receiver.

Palmer made accurate throws to the sideline and allowed players such as Kareem Kelly and Marcell Allmond to turn a 4-yard pass into an 8-yard gain. Palmer made only one highlight-reel throw, a crucial 19-yard third-down completion to Kelly on the final drive.

Palmer was at his best on the final drive, as he perfectly fed two balls to freshman Keary Colbert, who needed to take only one step to get out of bounds each time. Palmer also managed the clock well, as the Trojans took control of the ball with one minute, 14 seconds remaining following a missed Colorado field goal.

``It all started when their guy missed the 40-yard field goal and I had no doubt that (Palmer) would get us down there,'' said kicker David Newbury, who made the game-winning 24-yard field goal.

After the game, Palmer tossed around the word ``clutch'' more than a driving instructor teaching the stick shift.

Palmer praised Newbury, the offensive line and the defense to the max, but the numbers, both Palmer's statistics and the final score, show that the quarterback played just as big a part in the victory.

``We were extremely confident the whole time,'' Palmer said. ``We were so confident after we saw the Colorado State (vs. Colorado) game, and we came in with a great game plan.

``We knew we could beat them with the deep post and the quick slants and we did a great job of executing the game plan.''

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Photo: USC's Miguel Fletcher sacks Colorado quarterback Zac Colvin in the second quarter.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer