Quarterbacks hold keys to Illinois-Purdue matchup

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Illinois quarterback Juice Williams began the season as a much more logical all-conference candidate than Purdue's Joey Elliott.

Williams led the Illini to the Rose Bowl two years ago and was a second-team all-Big Ten pick last season as a junior. Elliott is a first-time starter who his coach admittedly protected early in the season.

Two months into the season, their fortunes have reversed.

Elliott leads the Big Ten in yards passing, passing touchdowns and total offense. He threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns last week in a 26-18 upset win over then-No. 7 Ohio State.

Williams is barely hanging onto his job.

The quarterback situations are a key reason why the buzz around the two teams are much different heading into Saturday's matchup at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Purdue coach Danny Hope said Elliott deserves to be considered for postseason honors.

"If he continues playing like he's playing and he continues building momentum and we win, absolutely, absolutely. He's playing very, very well right now."

Elliott has done it with his arm and improved decision making. He's averaged 296 yards passing the past four weeks for the Boilermakers (2-5, 1-2 Big Ten). He was especially good against Ohio State.

"He was very sure with his throws and very true to his reads and he did a great job of staying in the pocket when he's protected and getting the ball out of his hand in a hurry," Hope said. "He played very well on Saturday and anticipate him continuing to improve. He's a good quarterback and he's getting better by the day."

Hope said the Boilermakers enjoyed the win over Ohio State and the attention it generated, but his team needs to come back to Earth on Saturday. The Boilermakers need to keep winning for a chance to become bowl eligible.

"Obviously, they are still excited, and I hope that it manifests itself in momentum for our football team, but I don't think there's going to be an issue as far as being grounded," he said. "We have two wins, and we need to win again this Saturday."

Elliott could be primed for another big game because Illinois has the worst pass defense in the Big Ten.

Things will be easier for him if Illinois free safety Donsay Hardeman sits out with a stiff neck. He is third on the team with 37 tackles, but Zook is considering holding him out.

A key to Elliott's growth has been receiver Aaron Valentin's emergence as a big-play threat. Valentin has 22 catches for 278 yards and five touchdowns the past three weeks.

Valentin has taken pressure off Keith Smith, a slot receiver who leads the Big Ten in receptions (54) and is second in yards (710). Smith has four consecutive games with at least 100 yards.

Running back Ralph Bolden still is a threat, though he has been slowed in recent weeks. He remains second in the Big Ten in rushing with 92 yards per game.

Illinois (1-5, 0-4) has lost four straight, all by double digits. The offense has scored more than 17 points just once, and that was against Illinois State.

Illinois coach Ron Zook said the players are struggling to handle the losing.

"They're frustrated just like the rest of us," he said. "They want this to turn out the way we all do. They're hanging in there and they're trying to do exactly what we tell them to do and that's all we can do."

Williams might take the fall for the losing streak. Zook has vowed to shake things up to get the team going, and has said he's considering playing backups Eddie McGee and Jacob Charest.

"Just like I said last week, and I'm going to leave it at this, we're going to keep pushing buttons and keep making changes and moves until we get this thing where it has to be," Zook said. "At the end of the week, if we feel like Juice (Williams) gives us the best chance to win he will play."

Williams statistically is one of the best quarterbacks in Illinois history, but his passing and rushing numbers are his worst since his freshman year.

If Williams gets things going, Arrelious Benn likely will play a key role. Benn was an all-conference pick last year with 67 catches and 1,055 yards. This season, he's been held to 22 catches for 271 yards as the passing game has struggled. He caught nine passes for 95 yards last week in the loss to Indiana.

Whichever quarterback plays will need to deal with Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. He was named Walter Camp Football Foundation and Big Ten defensive player of the week after getting three sacks, forcing two fumbles and recovering one against Ohio State.

Despite the hype around Purdue, Hope says the two teams are in similar situations. Purdue had lost five straight by a combined 33 points before knocking off Ohio State.

"We are all in the same boat," he said. "They have a target on them and we have a target on us. Everybody wants to win and needs to win right now. I don't assume they will take us lightly."