An improved Juice awaits Gophers

In his first two seasons at Illinois, Juice Williams helped make the Fighting Illini relevant on the national college football scene. He led the Illini to a Rose Bowl appearance last season, becoming one of the Big Ten's best quarterbacks.

But, he wanted more.

So he spent a part of his summer working out with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, a fellow Chicago native. McNabb told him to have more fun when he plays.

Michigan's defense had little fun last Saturday when Williams set a Michigan Stadium record with 431 total yards in a 45-20 Illinois victory. McNabb's advice and tutelage -- along with Williams' commitment to his development -- has helped the junior evolve from a running quarterback in his first two seasons to a more polished passer.

The Gophers will get a taste of the new and improved Williams when they face Illinois on Saturday for the Illini's Homecoming.

"[I'm] doing all the little things that it takes to go out there and be a successful quarterback," Williams said. "I feel like this is the most successful offseason I've had in my life. It was just a lot of hard work and dedication."

Today, Williams sounds more like a veteran offensive coordinator than a 20-year-old player. He said he put an emphasis on living "the quarterback lifestyle" and worked on his in-pocket mechanics during the offseason. Williams talks about watching film during his leisure time like a teenybopper talks about watching "American Idol." And while his friends went out on the town during the Big Ten's media day, Williams stayed back at the hotel to spend time with his young daughter.

Passing to go along with running

The changes in his approach have carried over to the field. Last season, through five games, Williams was averaging 37.2 rushing yards and 97.4 passing yards per game. This season, he's splitting defenses for 243 passing yards and 80.8 rushing yards per game. He's eighth in the nation in total offense (323.8 yards per game) and has scored more points (92, on 15 touchdowns and a two-point conversion) than the 1962 Fighting Illini (75 points) scored during an entire season.

"If a doctor happens to be on a plane with someone who gets sick, they feel like their responsibility requires them to go out and help that person," Williams said. "Well, it's the same way with a quarterback. You're a quarterback 24 hours a day. You just don't go to work from 9 to 5, you're always watching film at all times of the day, you're always trying to find something to do to get better."

Williams arrived at Illinois with lofty expectations, after he turned down scholarship offers from Ohio State and Tennessee. But he struggled as a freshman, completing only 39.5 percent of his passes as the Illini went 2-10.

Hard times weren't new for Williams. He weighed 13 pounds, 8 ounces at birth and nearly died. He was given the nickname "Juice" by his grandmother because he was a big and juicy baby. His real name is Isiah.

The hard times continued for Williams early in his sophomore season. Fans called for backup Eddie McGee to supplant Williams, after McGee nearly led the Illini to a comeback victory in a season-opening loss to Missouri. An injured Williams watched from the sideline.

Upset of Buckeyes led to big things

His career-altering moment, however, came when he lined up against No. 1 Ohio State last November and threw four touchdown passes without an interception in a 28-21 upset of the Buckeyes. From there, Williams led Illinois to a tie for second place in the Big Ten and an invitation to the Rose Bowl -- the school's first bowl since the 2001 season. In a 49-17 loss to Southern California in the Rose Bowl, Williams completed 21 of 35 passes for 245 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Williams hasn't looked back.

"Well, we've thought all along he had a chance to be a great passer," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "What happens is a lot of times you're recruiting these guys, you just watch their natural God-given ability. We knew he was going to have to learn touch and there's times he still has to learn some touch, and I think that's just something that comes with experience."

Away from the field, Williams puts away his pads and helmet and picks up a box of wipes and a bottle. He has been a father to a baby girl for just more than a year-- he lives with his daughter and girlfriend -- which has given him a new perspective on the way he carries himself, he said. But he doesn't care much for the attention and extra interviews that come with his ongoing improvement. That's because he knows how hard he can fall, he said, and he doesn't want to get caught up in his own progress.

"I try not to think about that and reflect on that stuff in January," he said. "The awards, accolades really don't mean anything right now. It's just another notch on your belt. It's good to have; it's a great feeling. You use it for motivation, but at the same time try not to think about it all."