Customer Service Place an Ad Become a Carrier Contact Us About Us Mobile Edition E-Mail Updates Report Cancellation
| Subscribe Now Customer Service Place an Ad Become a Carrier Contact Us About Us Mobile Edition E-Mail Updates Report Cancellation
|
 |
 |
|
Weather  Calendar Obituaries Classifieds Jobs Autos Homes Rentals Coupons Ad Center |
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
|
Home News Sports
Free Time Life Money Nation/World Opinion Blogs/Columns Archives Site Map |
| SportsFriday, August 31, 2007 10:35 PM CDT |
 Comments (0) |  E-mail this page |  Print this page |  Enlarge type |  Reduce type |  Search archives |  RSS feeds |  Add to My Yahoo! |
Illini-Mizzou QB matchups too ripe to ignore
ST. LOUIS — When Illinois butts helmets with Missouri in their college football opener today, there will be a tendency to narrow the focus to a battle of dynamic quarterbacks. In truth, the game could be decided by which team rises up on the defensive side and which team avoids crippling miscues on special teams. But the quarterback battle — the production of Missouri’s Chase Daniel against that of Illinois’ Juice Williams — is too ripe with possibility to ignore. And with each quarterback capable of generating big plays, the Edward Jones Dome scoreboard could be given a workout. Daniel has a decided edge in experience, proven production and in the most important category of all, winning at the major college level. Missouri’s quarterback play was expected to tumble after the departure of exciting pass-run threat Brad Smith. But Daniel stepped in last season and as a first-year starter began rewriting the Tigers’ record book. Daniel, a 6-foot, 225-pound junior from Southlake, Texas, was fifth in the nation in total offense and set Missouri records for single-season passing yards and passing touchdowns. He finished particularly strong and over the season’s final three games Daniel completed 71 of 111 passes for 996 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. But not only did Daniel prove he could throw the football. He was a running threat as well and finished as Missouri’s No. 2 ground gainer. “He’s mobile and any time you have a mobile quarterback you have the fear of him breaking containment with his feet,” said Illinois senior middle linebacker J Leman. “There are not many times when he makes a bad decision or a bad throw.” Missouri runs a spread offense that is a first cousin to the offense Illinois employs. “There are some similarities and that could be good for us,” Illinois coach Ron Zook said. “We’ve gone against the spread all year. “Their quarterback is a proven guy, a winner who throws with unbelievable accuracy. I’ve had scouts mention that he reminds them of (former Purdue QB) Drew Brees, which is not necessarily good for us.” Daniel is far from a one-man show. He has the Big 12’s top returning running back in Tony Temple (1,063 yards in 2006). Wideout Will Franklin had 48 catches for 829 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games last season. And Daniel leans heavily on the nation’s best pair of tight ends, Martin Rucker (53 catches, 511 yards, 5 TDs) and Chase Coffman (58-638-9). After emerging as a starter as a true freshman last year, Williams showed he could be a spectacular play-maker who was at times overwhelmed by the speed and intricacies of the college game. Those around Williams believe he is much more prepared to lead the offense this season. “The game has really slowed down for him,” Leman said. “Everything flies around when you’re a freshman. He’s making a lot better decisions. He threw three or four times less picks than he did during his first (training) camp. “He’s taking care of the ball better. He knows the ball is precious. He’s dangerous. That’s why our offense is going to be something to be reckoned with.” Summer experience working as a counselor at a camp run by Peyton Manning and his brother, Eli, made Williams more aware of his responsibility as a leader. Illinois vs. Missouri When: 2:30 p.m., today Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis TV: ESPN2 Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7) Last season: Illinois 2-10, Missouri 8-5 Of note: “Arch Rivalry” opener brings together a Missouri team expected to compete for a Big 12 Conference championship and an Illini team expected to take a significant step forward in the third year of coach Ron Zook’s rebuilding effort. Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports. E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
Top of Page | Home | News | Sports | Free Time | Life | Money | Nation/World | Opinion | Blogs/Columns | Archives | Site Map | RSS
Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
|
Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.
Please read the rules before posting comments.
You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.