Illinois Juiced for Big Ten Run

When Isiah "Juice" Williams left his hometown of Chicago on the 140-mile trek southwest to the University of Illinois three years ago, he had goals of making the Fighting Illini a fixture in the Big Ten and an annual postseason team.

Williams has come close -- a Rose Bowl berth in 2007, for example -- but there has been disappointment, too. Illinois entered 2008 as a Big Ten contender, but it failed to qualify for a bowl and finished with a losing record.

Quite frankly, this year's Illinois team has the experience, talent and ability to make national noise and return to the Rose Bowl. And Williams, the senior with the big-time arm who is also fantastic on the move, realizes this season will define his legacy at Illinois.

"We have the talent and we have the potential, but that just looks good on paper," Williams told FanHouse.

"We have to come out there every Saturday and do our jobs. As long as we approach every day as a game day in terms of practicing, studying, and preparing, we should be able to accomplish our goals. That's when we will be able to say we've turned the corner. I want to leave a good legacy, and that's about going out and getting Ws. I will forever remember how my last season finished."

Of course, how Williams starts the season is just as important in the big (bowl) picture.

The Illini open in less than two weeks against Missouri in St. Louis, and Illinois coach Ron Zook has a simple message for his veteran quarterback: Have fun.

Zook pointed out that not only did Williams arrive as a freshman with the pressure of the Big Ten Conference and the pressure of winning at Illinois, Zook believed Williams also thought he owed it to Chicago and the city's public football leagues to be successful. While Williams has endured his share of highs and lows, Zook would love nothing more than to see a smile from Williams along with production.

"I want him to enjoy this year," Zook said.

Well, this Juice is loose.

"When I am smiling I am at my best, enjoying life and enjoying the game of football," Williams said.

"I've noticed that, I understand that, and I try my best to keep a smile on my face every time I take the field. I thought I did pretty good last year, but we just have to come together more as a team. My individual performance is not going to take us anywhere. We need to come together as a team, one unit, to be effective to win games."

Even so, any casual observer has noticed Williams' improvement over the last three seasons. For starters, his completion percentage rose from 39.8 percent his freshman year to 57.5 percent for 3,173 yards last season, and his 22 passing touchdowns last year doubled his career total.

Noted as a physical runner at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds -- Williams dominates the school record book for rushing by a quarterback, amassing 2,050 yards and 14 touchdowns -- he's also only 2,321 yards away from being the leading passer in school history. With a great season, Williams, recently named to the watch list for the 2009 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, could break the Big Ten's career total offense mark. He has 8,455 career yards, putting him within striking distance of Drew Brees (12,692).

Williams spent most of his summer on campus working and throwing with his receivers, a group that includes Arrelious Benn, Florida transfer Jarred Fayson, Jeff Cumberland and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui and has been tabbed the best in the Big Ten. If the Illini can get more productivity from their running backs and improved blocking from an offensive line prone to allow sacks, they could certainly return to their 2007 level that saw them beat then-No. 1 Ohio State.

"I was with my receivers, talking about football, working and throwing," said Williams, who led the Big Ten in passing and total offense as a junior and helped Illinois outgain opponents by nearly 90 yards per game.

"We were all business, trying to do all the different things to make you a better person and a football player. I think we've had an excellent camp so far. I feel like I am throwing the ball pretty well. We've been efficient, consistent. All the arrows are pointing in the right direction but we have to continue to do that during the season and have that same mentality each time we step on the field."

The Illini will be tested early, specifically in the Big Ten, where they play three consecutive games against Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State to end September and open October.

While highly-regarded coming out of Chicago, Juice has gone global.

When Illinois Coach Ron Zook was on a Nike trip over the winter, a Puerto Rican cabbie asked him about his quarterback. Zook laughed and said he didn't know if it's just Williams' catchy nickname -- Williams' grandmother described him as "Big and Juicy" as he nearly died at birth due to the excessive weight of 13 pounds and eight ounces -- or what, but "people know who he is."

Williams wants his name to be forever linked to Illinois. And he will do it his way.

With a smile.

"To me, college has gone faster than high school," Williams said. "This is my last few months on this campus. I will graduate in December. It's my senior season and a last time to be with my teammates. Each practice, each game, everything, I have to make the most of it."