Tiger defense aims to stop Illini

Illinois features two dual-threats in Williams and Benn.

By Sean Leahy

Published Sept. 4, 2009

Missouri beat Illinois in last year's Arch Rivalry Game, but the Tiger's defense doesn't exactly have fond memories of the victory.

The Fighting Illini burned the Missouri secondary and racked up 42 points. Now-senior quarterback Juice Williams threw for 451 yards and five touchdowns.

Although Missouri's spread attack was in full in force during the game (scoring 52 points), it took a couple late takeaways by the Tigers to finally seal the victory.

What's the plan for 2009? Senior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said it's to prevent history from repeating itself.

"We definitely don't want to let Juice get out there and tear us apart the way he did last year," Weatherspoon said. "We're using what happened last year as motivation and we're excited to go out there and play him this weekend."

Williams' versatility is something that concerned Missouri defensive coordinator Dave Steckel.

"I really respect Juice," Steckel said. "When you have a quarterback who can throw and run, now you have a whole lot more things you have to defend."

Williams ended 2008 with 3,173 yards passing and 719 rushing yards, making him Illinois' leader in both categories.

Weatherspoon identified Missouri's main problem defending Williams last season was his ability to get passes over the Tiger secondary.

"He put it over-the-top of our defensive backs all day," Weatherspoon said. "We definitely can't have that this year. That's been our main focus in camp, staying on top of receivers because they didn't hit many underneath routes."

Part of this responsibility will fall onto the shoulders of some new faces in Missouri's secondary. Junior cornerback Carl Gettis returns as a starter from 2008 but will be joined by first-year starters junior cornerback Kevin Rutland, senior strong safety Hardy Ricks and sophomore free safety Kenji Jackson.

When it comes to a quarterback who can go mobile if the need arises, senior nose tackle Jaron Baston acknowledged the need to keep Williams behind the line of scrimmage.

"I think, playing on the defensive line, we have the toughest job and that's to get to him and sack him," Baston said. "We need to do a great job of keeping him in the pocket and containing him."

The Illinois offensive attack doesn't begin and end with Williams.

Junior wide receiver Arrelious Benn has found his way onto some preseason award watch lists with his flashing speed and catching ability. Another dual-threat, Benn led Illinois in receiving yards in 2008 with 1,055 and combined for 512 more yards in punt and kickoff returns.

In last year's game against Missouri, Benn caught for 92 yards but no touchdowns.

The last two games between Illinois and Missouri have been shootouts with an averaged combined score of 84 points.

Baston said even if Missouri were returning the centerpieces of its prolific offense, the defense would still have some heavy responsibility.

"The defense, we have to step up," Baston said. "Even if we had Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin back this year, we still would have to step up."

As for Weatherspoon, the senior is looking to continue his success in the Edward Jones Dome. Weatherspoon returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown to wrap up Missouri's victory in last year's contest.

"I have been pretty lucky in the dome, so hopefully we can keep that going," Weatherspoon said.

When it comes to getting on the field and stopping the Illini attack, Steckel said Weatherspoon and Baston would be looked to as leaders.

"They have experience, they are our captains," Steckel said. "So they have to lead us and I think they will."