PonyFans.com

01:39 AM CDT on Thursday, September 21, 2006

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News

UNIVERSITY PARK – SMU quarterback Justin Willis' 18-of-19 performance may have come against I-AA Sam Houston State, but as coach Phil Bennett put it, even if "you're playing against air, playing catch, that's quite a feat."

The record-setting stats in the 45-14 victory came a week after Willis was briefly pulled from the North Texas loss after an interception, and previously winless SMU had mustered nine points in two games.

Willis' 291.2 efficiency rating against Sam Houston shot him from 74th to second in the NCAA passer ratings. He leads C-USA at 177.47 for the season.

That's all well and good. But more important to SMU (1-2) is if the redshirt freshman and the offense's growth will be evident again in Saturday's final nonconference game against Arkansas State (1-1).

"I have all the confidence now," said Willis (6-1, 197). "It's a change. I think we can carry this over and be a much better offense."

Watching from the sidelines late in the first half against North Texas on Sept. 9, Willis said he realized he, not the opposing defenses, had been making the game too fast. He could've stayed in the pocket longer, checking off his reads. He had more time.

Willis spent the weekend watching tape, and it sunk in.

For the next week of practice, Willis forced himself to stand in the pocket.

"I made myself a thrower first," Willis said.

Willis said a drill called Team Pass helped him get the reps he needed. He dropped back and did his reads with the front four coming at him.

For Sam Houston, Willis took taking his time to another level.

"I thought, 'I'm going to take a sack before I run,' " Willis said.

Instead, Willis, who was sacked once, and his receivers showed they could make plays downfield. Willis connected with five receivers for touchdowns and got the tight ends and running backs involved.

"He was really poised, really calm," said redshirt freshman receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who laid out to catch a 30-yard touchdown pass from Willis, his roommate and best friend. "I could see it in his eyes. He was ready."
[Click image for a larger version] GARY PAYNE/DMN
GARY PAYNE/DMN
Before SMU quarterback Justin Willis gained poise dropping back in practice, he felt pressured to run.

Offensive coordinator Rusty Burns said it's a matter of youth growing up. He had held Willis, who hadn't played a game since his senior season at Denton Ryan in 2004, back somewhat in the first two games. But the plan is to continue getting downfield.

Bennett praised Willis' decision-making, SMU's ability to spread the ball around and the offensive line's protection. SMU simplified the blocking scheme last week.

"He's [Willis] going to play better competition this week," Bennett said. "I'm hoping he has the same composure and the same ability to see things."

Willis said he has options. He'll drop back long enough to make the right passes but will use his feet when needed.

"We don't want to lose at home, first off," Willis said. "Second, we don't want to be 1-3 going on the road against a good Tulane team in conference."

E-mail [email protected]

JUSTIN TIME

Justin Willis' six touchdown passes in three games put him in position to become SMU's first quarterback to pass for 10 or more touchdowns since Josh McCown in 1999. His 94.7 percent completion percentage vs. Sam Houston State set a school record and tied the C-USA record. His progression in SMU's first three games:

vs. Texas Tech: 9-of-16 for 69 yards, no touchdowns.

vs. North Texas: 15-of-19 for 112 yards, one interception, one TD.

vs. Sam Houston State: 18-of-19 for 248 yards and five TDs; ran for another TD.

Arkansas State (1-1) vs. SMU (1-2), 7 p.m. Saturday, Ford Stadium (KTCK-AM 1310, KTDK-FM 104.1)