In one of the toughest periods of his brief college career, Juice Williams is keeping his spirits up.
“It’s kind of funny,” Illinois’ sophomore quarterback from Chicago Vocational said after Saturday’s victory over Western Illinois. “This is exactly how it was in high school.
“Freshman year I made a few plays and got a few guys’ attention. Sophomore year almost the same thing [as this year], but a little bit better. Junior year took the roof off.
“It’s so much alike it’s scary. I’m hoping it doesn’t take until my junior year to make plays like I know I can.”
Williams, an opening-day starter for the first time this season, has had a rough start. He was knocked out of the opening loss to Missouri with an eye injury, and he struggled against Division I-AA Western Illinois.
His passing stats against the Leathernecks — 12-for-24 for 123 yards — would be acceptable against a Big Ten power, but more was expected.
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“Obviously, it’s not fun when you have a bad game,” Williams said. “But it makes it better if you have a bad game and still win. That’s extra motivation, more than I have now. It’ll motivate me not to have a performance like that again.”
Illinois (1-1) has a winnable non-conference game Saturday at Syracuse (0-2), providing another opportunity for Williams to get Illinois’ offense back on track.
As he deals with a disappointing start, his teammates have rallied around him.
“He was a little down in the locker room, but he didn’t do too bad,” running back Rashard Mendenhall said.
“It was really his first full game of the year,” linebacker J Leman said. “Especially with the spotlight on the quarterback, there will be some mistakes, but he’s fine. He’s doing great. It’s a new week.”
Some things will be different. For one, his left eye should be less bloodshot. And his aggressiveness should be restored.
“Coming off last week with the injury, I was kind of self-conscious running the ball, trying to shy away from hits, and that had an effect on the entire game, including the passing game,” he said.
Coach Ron Zook remains firmly in the corner of Williams, around whom he is trying to rebuild the Illini. Zook thinks Williams is doing better than he thinks he is.
“It clicks more than he thinks it clicks,” Zook said. “Right now I’m not worried about Juice at all.”
Redshirt freshman Eddie McGee replaced the injured Williams against Missouri and almost rallied the Illini to victory.
“I was helping him all I could,” Williams said. “You hear about quarterback controversy, but there is no controversy. I was out there first. It could change next week; have to roll with the punches.”
Zook’s program is tethered to Williams’ development. But like virtually every other program, he’s bringing in a quarterback in every recruiting class.
Jacob Charest, from Butler High School in Matthews, N.C., a Charlotte suburb, visited Illinois for the Western Illinois game and promptly gave Zook an oral commitment.
Charest is ranked as the nation’s 23rd-best pro-style QB prospect by rivals.com, a similar ranking as current Illinois freshman Phil Haig.
“The staff, the people up there are one big family,” the 6-foot-4-inch, 190-pound Charest said Monday. “They’re close to breaking something big.”
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Charest, who threw for seven touchdowns Friday night in a 55-0 victory over Berry, chose Illinois over Iowa, Oregon and Akron. He had offers at various times from California, Louisville and N.C. State. Charest said he talked to quarterback Chris Leak, who played for rival Independence High before playing for Zook at Florida.
“He said he was the best college coach anyone could ever have,” Charest said. “He said he cares about his players, and I get that feeling.”
But for now, Illinois remains Juice Williams’ team.
“It’ll be a struggle,” Williams said. “Nobody told me it’s going to be easy. And I’m prepared for it. I have to get in the film room and get better.”
*Illinois’ Big Ten opener Sept. 22 at Indiana has been scheduled for an 11 a.m. kickoff on the Big Ten Network.
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UP NEXT
At Syracuse, 11 a.m. Sat., ESPNU