Juice Williams learning difficult lessons

He leads the Big Ten in passing yards (269.2 per game) and total offense (326 ypg), and his 22 touchdown passes are as many as he threw in his first two seasons combined. In back-to-back weeks, he set single-game records for total offense at Michigan Stadium (431) and Memorial Stadium (503).

But he also has thrown the most interceptions in the Big Ten (15), and Illinois will take a 5-6 record into its game Saturday at Northwestern, where it needs a victory to have a chance to salvage a trip to a minor bowl in what has been a disappointing season.

The Motor City Bowl might not be the Rose Bowl, but Williams would welcome it anyway.

''Whether it's in Detroit or anywhere else, it's still a bowl game,'' he said. ''It's a chance to play a month longer and to continue to try to get better.''

suntimes.com