By Steve SilverThe Daily Northwestern
It might be senior day at Ryan Field on Saturday, but a freshman will hold Northwestern’s focus – Illinois first-year quarterback Isiah “Juice” Williams.
Williams, who averages 177 all-purpose yards per game, leads the nation’s 55th best offensive unit. The Fighting Illini average more than 350 yards of total offense and 19.9 points per game.
“They are playing a young quarterback,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “He is making good decisions at times with the ball, and he runs very well. They’ve made some big plays throwing the ball down the field. Juice has got a nice arm and can make some plays.”
A deep backfield and receiving corps also has allowed Williams to stay ahead of the learning curve as a rookie quarterback.
Illinois boasts the nations’ 16th best ground game, averaging 186.5 yards per game on the heels of senior Pierre Thomas Jr. and sophomore Walter Mendenhall, a Skokie native.
Eight different Illinois receivers have receptions of 32 yards or more as Williams averages 14.4 yards per completion.
“They are a young, talented offense,” said senior safety Bryan Heinz, who will end his injury-plagued career this weekend in just the second game he has played in all season. “They have a lot of weapons they use. Juice is very athletic and has a very strong arm. All the way around, they are just a real solid team.”
NU’s 89th ranked defense will attempt to slow down Illinois’ potent offense to claim the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk trophy in the 100th meeting of the two schools. The Wildcats and the Illini have been playing for the Sweet Sioux since 1945.
Illinois leads the in-state rivalry series 51-43-5, but NU has won the last three contests, including a 38-21 victory in Champaign, Ill., last year.
“There is definitely a rivalry there,” said junior linebacker Adam Kadela, who leads the team with 78 tackles. (Fitzgerald) held up the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk at our team meeting (Sunday) and read off the scores from over the years, and no matter what each team is doing that season, you just have to throw out the records because each team will give their best games. It’s going to be an emotional day playing with the (seniors) for the last time.”
Sophomore quarterback C.J. Bach
