USC’s Nelson Agholor hopes to build on best performance of his career

USC receiver Nelson Agholor twice caught two touchdown passes in a game before he hauled in a career-best three against Colorado.

“It just shows things are going well in practice and effort is paying off,” Agholor said.

Agholor hopes to build on the performance Saturday when the No. 20 Trojans play No. 19 Utah at Salt Lake City.

Agholor’s touchdown receptions against Colorado — covering 16, 18 and 75 yards — increased his total to seven this season, 15 in his career.

Freshman JuJu Smith and redshirt freshman Steven Mitchell scored their first touchdowns against Colorado, an achievement Agholor said would be ingrained in the young players’ memories.

“You never forget that,” he said.

Agholor can recount in detail his first USC touchdown. It came against Oregon in 2012, when Agholor said he ran a “skinny post” and fought for a pass thrown by Matt Barkley.

“I thought the safety was going to take my lid off,” he said, “but I caught the ball and it just made me realize the game is just fun.... You always remember that one, because that’s the one that gets your mind the right way.

“You’re hungry for more.”

Twitter: @LATimesklein