Williams, McGee in this together
CHAMPAIGN -- Several months ago, Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley shored up one aspect of his quarterbacks' lives.
He suggested that Juice Williams and Eddie McGee join a small group of Illini players, coaches and trainers that attends services every Sunday morning at Stone Creek Church in Urbana.
Stone Creek is affiliated with three organizations, including the Barrington-based Willow Creek Association.
"Coach Locksley really put both of us up to it," Williams said. "He got us started (around Easter) and we've been going ever since."
These quarterbacks who pray together stay together throughout the week.
On Sundays (and other days), the true sophomore (Williams) and redshirt freshman (McGee) sit together as they devour videos of their upcoming opponent.
On Mondays (and other days), they take turns snapping the ball to each other after practice so they can get in extra throws and work on their timing with receivers.
But the best evidence of their increasingly collaborative relationship plays out on Saturdays, as McGee takes on a bigger role for the Illini.
While Williams will make his 17th consecutive start in Saturday's nationally televised showdown with No. 24 Michigan (7 p.m., Channel 7), look for McGee and his steadier right arm to play earlier and more often than in the past.
"I'm completely fine with it," Williams said. "Eddie and me talk about it all the time. If there's ever a time I'm kind of cold out there or I don't really have an understanding of what's going on, Eddie's there on the sideline telling me what I'm doing. Or Coach Locksley brings him in and lets him go out there and pretty much settle me down. And (it's) the same way vice versa.
"If he was to go out there and be the starter, if he ever needs some relief or some time just to relax, I'm here for him. There's nothing like any animosity or any anger or anything like that. Whatever's best for this team, that's what I'm all about."
That's music to Locksley's ears, because it's all part of his continual efforts to shore up a critical aspect of his offense's life.
Heading into Saturday's game, Illinois ranks last in the Big Ten and 109th nationally (out of 119 teams) in passing efficiency.
And if the time frame stretches back to the start of the 2006 season, when Williams began his career, Illinois' lack of production through the air becomes even more glaring.
Only Florida International, which didn't become a full-fledged Football Bowl Subdivision team until last year, has a worse pass efficiency rating over the last season-and-a-half.
Illinois has thrown for 2,936 yards and 17 touchdowns over its last 19 games. Texas Tech's Graham Harrell has thrown for 3,151 yards and 31 touchdowns in only seven games this year.
McGee addresses some of these shortcomings because he's more comfortable throwing the ball into tight spots downfield.
"I feel as though I can do it all," McGee said. "Of course, I like to get the ball into my playmakers' hands before I have to do it myself, so I guess I have to say I'm pass first. And then, if all else fails, I can make plays with my feet."
Williams, of course, does a superior job operating Illinois' option attack, which has been crucial to the 5-2 start.
With that in mind, Locksley doesn't expect Williams or McGee to put up numbers anywhere close to Harrell, but he still has standards he'd like them to reach.
Right now, as younger quarterbacks tend to do, the Illini pair throw a lot more proficiently during the week than they do on Saturdays.
Locksley wants to see more of their successful practice exploits carry over to Saturdays -- like the way McGee's 82-yard "Sluggo" pass to Joe Morgan clicked at Iowa before being called back for an illegal formation.
"That's the big key," Locksley said. "I'm starting to see some of it transfer in the game. I talked about the Indiana game, how Juice hit some balls over the middle (to freshman Arrelious Benn) he wasn't always comfortable throwing.
"And he came back and hit a couple slants against Penn State vs. man coverage. Those are throws that he wasn't making.
"And for Eddie to be able to come in off the bench and complete balls with timing and with accuracy, that shows me that we're getting close to where we need to be and just need to continue to take the steps to get it there where it's more consistent."