Juice grows into position
- Font Size:
- Default font size
- Larger font size
By Steve Batterson | Friday, December 28, 2007 |
Herald & Review/Kelly J. Huff Illinois quarterback Juice Williams has found his groove over the past three games, scoring 10 touchdowns and only throwing two interceptions. Buy this Photo
Quarterbacking no longer is a hobby for Illinois sophomore Juice Williams — it’s his life.
“I realize that more and more every day. It has to be,’’ Williams said. “When I was a freshman, I was just out there playing ball. I understand now that there is a lot more to it than that. I’ve dedicated my life to being a quarterback.’’
That realization is one reason Williams displayed the level of development he did while leading the Illini to their first Rose Bowl berth since the 1983 season.
The progress didn’t always translate into statistics, but over the final three games of the season Williams began to demonstrate that he was more than a running threat behind center.
In November wins over Minnesota, Ohio State and Northwestern, Williams completed 41 of 66 passes. He threw seven touchdown passes and was intercepted twice.
His 62 percent completion rate in those three games was well above his 56.9 percent effort for the season, numbers that left his 39.5 percent completion rate as freshman in the rearview mirror.
Williams said the game has slowed down from his spot behind center, something he began to feel as he made reads about midway through the season.
Illinois offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Locksley says that happened as Williams gained trust in the skill players.
“Some of it is just maturing into the position, something you expect from a player who goes from being a freshman to being a sophomore,’’ Locksley said. “I think he let go of some of the pressure, and that has only helped him.
“With the way Rashard (Mendenhall) and Arrelious (Benn) were playing, that alleviated quite a bit of pressure for Juice. He’ll still try to force things occasionally, but I think we forget at times that he is only a sophomore. In a lot of ways, he’s just learning.’’
Williams concentrated on becoming more of a student of the game during the past offseason.
While he continued to work to improve the technical aspects of his position and continued to gain strength, Williams learned how to watch tape of opponents.
“In the past, I almost watched them for enjoyment. Now I know exactly what to look for, and it’s easier for me to break things down. I didn’t have the greatest quarterback training in the world coming out of high school. It’s taken time.’’
He also understands more about what it means to be a quarterback at the Big Ten level.
“It’s like being a doctor. It’s not something you can just do from 9-to-5, and then go home. You have to do it 24 hours a day. It’s a lifestyle,’’ Williams said.
That change involves his ears as much as what he sees on the field with his eyes.
After consecutive losses to Iowa and Michigan left Illinois at 3-2 in Big Ten play, Williams heard the grumbling of fans who suggested that it might be time for the Illini to contemplate a change behind center.
“It’s difficult to ignore the negative, and when you play quarterback you’re going to get your share of that when things aren’t going well,’’ Williams said. “When I started hearing people say that Juice shouldn’t be the starter, than hurt me.’’
It also motivated him.
“The coaches talked to me about blanking that stuff out, forgetting about it, not listening to the radio, that kind of thing, and it made a difference,’’ Williams said.
Although backup Eddie McGee has shown promise, Illinois coach Ron Zook stood behind Williams as his starter and continues to believe that his team can win with either quarterback.
“It’s a good situation, and Juice, he’s getting better by the day. I think back to where he was a year ago, and the amount of progress is so great. He understands now that if you’re going to play quarterback here, you have to live it,’’ Zook said.
“We had a guy at Florida in Chris Leak who went through the same type of growing pains that Juice is dealing with. It takes time for a player to adjust to this level at any position, but that’s particularly true at quarterback.’’
Williams appreciates that now more than ever.
“I’m a survivor,’’ he said. “I’m still here. I’m still breathing.’’
Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.
del.icio.us
Digg
NewsVine
Fark
redditMore Stories By Steve Batterson
» More Football Stories
Highest Rated Articles from the last 7 Days
- 2008 Diet Of The Year:
- Finally, A Diet That Really Works! Seen On CNN, NBC, CBS & Fox News.
- www.Wu-YiSource.com
- Cheap Airfare
- Compare multiple travel sites. Discount web fares made easy.
- www.LowFares.com
- Technology News Articles
- Computers, MP3, Phones & More. See Product Pics, Specs & Reviews.
- www.NexTag.com
- Ads by Yahoo!
