Around the Pac

USC started spring practice yesterday and here are a series of recaps, including the impressive start by wide receiver Damian Williams by yours truly and included on Bruce Feldman's ESPN Insider blog:

ESPN.com - USC lacked a reliable go-to wideout last season, but there has been plenty of buzz around Arkansas transfer Damian Williams ever since he arrived on campus. Dan Greenspan has more details on Mitch Mustain's old high school teammate after the Trojans' first spring practice:

"[Damian] did a nice job in the slot and a lot of things across the middle," offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said. "Stevie did a lot of that stuff."

"[Damian] can find windows in a defense, feel where the quarterback's eyes are and he has got great spacial awareness," QB Mark Sanchez said. "He is a natural."

Daily Trojan - All three quarterbacks dealt with timing issues, but came away with mostly positive reviews.

"They handled themselves well," coach Pete Carroll said. "It was a real good start."

Corp used his mobility and quickness well, while Sanchez and Mustain demonstrated a strong arm.

Los Angeles Times - The decision probably will not be announced until the end of spring practice, but USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian left no doubt that the Trojans intend to go into the summer with a quarterback entrenched as the starter.

"No question," Sarkisian said Tuesday after USC completed the first of 15 spring workouts. "That's been our history here."

ASU is also underway and must replace standout center Mike Pollak:

Arizona Republic - ASU experienced a rash of offensive-line injuries in 2005 including at center, where Pollak replaced Grayling Love for the final five games. Pollak stretched his starting streak to 31 games in the last two seasons and is expected to be the first Sun Devils player picked in April's NFL draft.

Altieri could only wait his turn and learn while adding 20 pounds to reach 300 on a 6-foot-2 frame. Brent Myers was the offensive-line coach when Altieri arrived. Now Gregg Smith has the job. And there is competition with redshirt freshman Garth Gerhart, who understandably would prefer not to spend the next two seasons as a backup.

-DG

Keller a square peg in Callahan's offense?

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.