Great DMN column on Willis

[mr. pony]

Gotta give credit when credit is due. Nice job. Front page, above the fold too.
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Monday, August 7, 2006

Willis keeps SMU from a pass-fail course
Dallas Morning News
By Gerry Fraley

UNIVERSITY PARK – On the night before games, SMU football coach Phil Bennett meets with the quarterbacks. They talk about game plans, philosophies and slice-of-life experiences.

The unplanned subject of this particular meeting last fall was Highland Park quarterback Matthew Stafford. Bennett went on and on about the virtues of Stafford until freshman Justin Willis stopped him.

"I know all about him, coach," Willis said. "I've shaken his hand twice."

The handshakes took place on the field, after Willis' Denton Ryan team had beaten Highland Park in high-powered games.

That Ryan with Willis at quarterback went 2-0 against Highland Park with Stafford at quarterback makes a significant statement about SMU.

For the first time in Bennett's five seasons, SMU has a legitimate top-shelf quarterback prospect who could create wins. For the first time in this century, the Mustangs could have a quarterback throw for a measly 10 touchdowns.

Justin Willis The Mustangs do not have to play hide the quarterback.

In Willis, a redshirt freshman, SMU has a quarterback who has performed at the same level as other recent heralded area high school quarterbacks such as Stafford, who probably will play as a freshman at Georgia this season. That is a major upgrade for the Mustangs.

"I think about the players I've played against and what they're doing a lot," Willis said. "I'm glad for Stafford. I tip my hat to him. He's a very good player. People want different things. I really wanted to be here at SMU."

History did not draw Willis. Quarterback has been a long-running shortcoming at SMU.

In the current NCAA landscape, throwing for 10 touchdowns is routine. A total of 82 Division I quarterbacks threw for at least 10 touchdowns last season.

The Mustangs have not had a quarterback pass for at least 10 touchdowns since Josh McCown in 1999, and he negated that with 11 interceptions. The last SMU quarterback with double-digit touchdown throws and single-digit interceptions was Lance McIlhenny in 1983.

During Bennett's tenure, quarterback has been a black hole. His quarterbacks have combined for 39 touchdowns and 58 interceptions in 46 games.

Teams that get little production from quarterback do not win at any level. SMU's offense has not been equipped to score in the 30s, the line that separates bowl teams from those that go home early.

"There's a feeling of ease at quarterback that we haven't had before," Bennett said.

Willis can be a dual-threat quarterback. He runs well and makes up for what he lacks in arm power with extreme accuracy and good judgment.

There is more to a quarterback than physical gifts. Willis carries himself with the assuredness that marks most good quarterbacks. Teammates picked up on his charisma during spring practice, when he earned the starting position and the offense's confidence.

"He showed a high level of play, and when he had something to say, it was the right thing," said Ben Poynter, the road-grader center. "He won over the offensive line and the whole team."

Bennett must temper the enthusiasm with the realization Willis has never taken a snap in a college game. The opener, at the hostile environment of Texas Tech on Sept. 2, will be a big step up from Denton Ryan-Highland Park.

Willis will have help.

The line is experienced. DeMyron Martin is a punishing runner who had four 100-yard games as a freshman last year. The returning receivers combined for 148 receptions last season, and tight end Ryan Kennedy will be a large-target security blanket for a young quarterback.

Willis will determine what happens by how many smart plays he makes and how many mistakes he avoids. The pressure is on him.

"I accept that," Willis said. "I know being a quarterback, you have responsibilities to uphold. I think I can do that for my teammates."

Bennett has fanned talk that SMU could reach a bowl for the first time since 1984. His team has split its last 14 games, and he wants the players to think of bigger things. Their fate rests with a redshirt freshman who rightfully can ask, "Hey, what about me?" when the conversation turns to elite high school quarterbacks.

E-mail [email protected]


WILLIS VS. STAFFORD
Justin Willis went 2-0 as a starting quarterback against Highland Park QB Matthew Stafford, who may start as a true freshman at Georgia. Denton Ryan won, 21-18, in 2004 and 45-21 in 2003. A look at their numbers in those games:

2003
Passing Rushing
Player Com Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD
Willis 12 20 250 4 1 15 55 1
Stafford 13 34 215 2 1 3 -17 0

2004
Passing Rushing
Player Com Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD
Willis 15 29 130 2 0 22 164 1
Stafford 13 27 118 1 2 9 5 0

[McClown27]

Great story by Gerry!!

[CalallenStang]

I think a lot of people owe Fraley an apology; clearly he can write a positive article.

[SMU Football Blog]

He's still an idiot.

[PonyPride]

Outstanding pub!

[Big10Ponyfan]

It may be once in a blue moon when Fraley writes something positive. He is quite possibly the most negative human being on the face of the earth. He's only happy when others are miserable. However, if you've noticed his writings in the past, he has a mancrush on Bennett.

[McClown27]

I think a lot of people owe Fraley an apology; clearly he can write a positive article.

People on this board can rip the DMN & their columnists all they want.

[smu diamond m]

It may be once in a blue moon when Fraley writes something positive. He is quite possibly the most negative human being on the face of the earth. He's only happy when others are miserable. However, if you've noticed his writings in the past, he has a mancrush on Bennett.

The sudden influx of humor caused me to get Dr Pepper on my keyboard. And now my nose itches.

[PK]

I think a lot of people owe Fraley an apology; clearly he can write a positive article.

People on this board can rip the DMN & their columnists all they want.

BTW, it was published on the front page of the sports section.

[PonySnob]

Does this mean that DMN can now no longer be blamed for any recruiting problems that we migh have?

[mr. pony]

[quote="PonySnob"]Does this mean that DMN can now no longer be blamed for any recruiting problems that we migh have? [/quote]

No, we're not there yet. They keep it up for the next decade ... maybe.

[McClown27]

I find it funny that we get one or two decent stories and some of you think the problem is fixed.

[mrydel]

I find it funny that we get one or two decent stories and some of you think the problem is fixed.

They declared the building of one new practice facility and you declared the program doomed.

[McClown27]

They declared the building of one new practice facility and you declared the program doomed.

?

I have always said that facilities are only necessary when a program is properly equipped to compete. With our basketball attendance, media coverage, & recruiting restrictions, I just don't think a facility will help recruiting at all. I have never doubted that the facility will come in handy for the logistical needs that Blog points out.

[Cadillac]

I'm ready to drink the cool-aid on Willis. It looks like he'll be given every chance to succeed here. Hopefully nothing goes horribly awry with the opener being a Big-12 team at home. Once he's over that hump we should have something to look forward to in Denton, a bit of a homecoming for him. That should really get him psyched.

-COS