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Rose Bowl seems like long time ago for Illinois QB

Carlos Osorio, Associated Press

Illinois quarterback Juice Williams broke downfield against Michigan last year. Williams had another big game against the Wolverines last week, when the Illini ended a five-game losing streak.

Juice Williams has struggled to move the ball this year, and the Illini have struggled to win.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: November 5, 2009 - 11:27 PM

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GOPHERS VS. ILLINOIS

11 a.m. Saturday • TCF Bank Stadium

TV: BTN (830-AM)

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Illinois quarterback Juice Williams had many reasons to pout when coach Ron Zook benched him four games into the season.

"It was very humbling," said Williams, whose Illini visit the Gophers on Saturday. "Obviously, you get so acquainted to a certain role, being a starter going on four years. Being your senior year ... all of sudden things change, you're a backup now."

Williams was last year's most prolific Big Ten passer and one of the league's top rushers. But after a poor start this season, he said he understood the move and felt like complaining would be unfair.

Instead, he said he thought about the ailing children he sees during team visits to local hospitals. Or the talented athletes from his Chicago neighborhood who never made it, some of whom joined gangs.

And he gained a new appreciation for the overall privilege that comes with an opportunity to play Division I football.

"I always think to myself, 'We're blessed to be in the position that we are,' " Williams said. "We're blessed to be able to play this sport at this level. So I just try to make the most of it."

So he held the clipboard against Michigan State while Eddie McGee took over an Illini offense Williams had led since his freshman year in 2006, including in a Rose Bowl appearance against Southern California as a sophomore.

After McGee struggled against the Spartans, Williams took over in the second half, then was back in the starting lineup a week later. However, the Illini continued to sputter, losing road games to Indiana and Purdue.

But with Illini on a five-game losing streak and at the bottom of the Big Ten, Williams found his rhythm in a 38-13 victory over Michigan on Saturday. He rushed for 97 yards and one touchdown and completed eight of 11 passes for 123 yards and another score, and the Illini outscored the Wolverines 31-0 in the second half.

The Gophers might be feeling good about themselves after their thrilling victory over Michigan State on Saturday, but now they will face an Illinois squad with a rejuvenated leader.

But why has it taken this long?

Last season, Williams led the Big Ten with 3,892 total yards (3,173 passing). He commanded the conference's second-best offense, and the unit returned six starters this season.

This season, the Illini have hobbled to a 2-6 record and 1-5 conference mark in part because of Williams' struggles. He's on pace for 2,180 total yards, or 56 percent of what he had last year.

Zook said Williams got away from the loose style that helped him earn the starting gig as a standout freshman.

"I think probably, in the beginning, he was just reacting and not worrying about anything and just getting it done," Zook said this week. "... He forces the ball sometimes, he forces the issue sometimes, which is normal. So he just has to relax and play."

Williams, however, dealt with his demotion well, according to Illinois standout wide receiver Regis Benn, who said the quarterback was shocked when Zook benched him but didn't let any disappointment show because he is so focused on winning.

"I know he's humble," Benn said. "He's going to roll with the punches and do what we need to do to get the 'W.' "

Williams didn't expect to be fighting for a .500 season as a senior -- Illinois, coming off a 5-7 season in 2008, will have to win its final four games to do so. And he said even now he's not sure how a team that went to the Rose Bowl only two years ago is in this position.

But Williams and the Illini believe they can end this season on some kind of positive note.

"It's very tough, especially when you have so many high expectations, not only from your fans but from yourself," Williams said. "We know we are much better than how we've played during the early part of the season. All of that can be redeemed by us finishing out strong in the season."

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