Two years ago, Sam Keller was destroying USC. On a blistering Saturday afternoon in Tempe, the Arizona State quarterback could not be stopped as he built a 21-3 lead at the half.
The top-ranked Trojans were done for. The winning streak and quest for history? Kaput.
Keller raised his arms in victory.
And then karma punished him.
Everything wrong with coach Dirk Koetter's Sun Devils, every little flaw that ultimately doomed his regime, emerged in that second half.
They could not run the football. They could not stop anything USC did offensively. They lost their composure.
Whereas Keller's gunslinger mentality and huge arm were assets in building the three score advantage, four interceptions fueled the Trojans' rally and eventual 38-28 win.
Now the senior gets one more shot at No. 1 USC, this time as the starter for No. 14 Nebraska.
Whereas coach Bill Callahan called perhaps the most conservative game plan in recent memory (36 rushes for 68 net yards), he has a passer more than willing to join him in going bombs away.
But can Keller reign in his aggressive tendencies when need be?
That is the question that will dictate redemption or repetition.
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