Young Sun Devil on Hot Seat

For the first time this season, USC will be playing a team whose quarterback has less experience than John Fox.

Arizona State’s Ryan Kealy is a redshirt freshman who has the task of replacing Jake Plummer.

“He’s growing up. He’s maturing,” Sun Devil Coach Bruce Snyder said. “He’s taken a lot of hits and played in some tough situations. He played very well against Miami down in the Orange Bowl. There was a heavy rush [by Washington] with the blitz.

Kealy has completed 53% of his passes for an average of 175 yards a game with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Fox, a sophomore, has completed 59% of his passes for an average of 248 yards a game with four touchdowns and three interceptions.