Holiday Bowl brings familiar territory for USC

It didn't end well for the Trojans. Arizona State converted and USC was stunned. That was in October.

Saturday night at the Holiday Bowl, USC found itself in a similar situation in a 45-42 win over Nebraska. 

"We always try to make it exciting," USC head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "We make it entertaining for everybody."

As opposed to a lesson learned, consider it familiar territory.

As Tommy Armstrong Jr. revved up for a final pass, with one second left on the clock there was just one thing on their collective minds.

"ASU game," running back Buck Allen said matter of fact. "That went through my head for a quick second." 

Cornerback Kevon Seymour added: "We didn't want a repeat of the ArizonaState game."

This time would be different, however. The pass was incomplete. There was no miscommunication. Everyone, to a man, knew their assignment and the Nebraska fail ended up in success for the Trojans.

"We got box out guys and then we got guys that (are) jumpers (on Hail Mary's)," Seymour said. "We've been working on that all through the season since (the) Arizona State (game)."