Texas Football on Justin Willis

[Stallion]

Mike Ford as a Sophmore went into Columbus Ohio and played the pants off All-American Candidate Art Schliester and Top 10 Ohio St. Ohio St.'s defense was completelely baffled by Ford and could never stop him(for those that might want to claim Schiester had a dumped the game due to gambling) BTW Dickerson and James did not play on that team. Chuck Hixson did similar great things as as a Sophmore. I do find it amusing that some of those that were playing up Justin's accomplishments against MUCH MUCH weaker competition now seems to want to take the opposite position. Look let's get this straight-there has not been an SMU player since the Death Penalty that truly ranks with the SMU greats of All-Time.

[PK]

I think a more accurate statement would be that he may be the best QB we have had since the DP. The argument though would be how he might compare head to head with Ramon. A lot of records on the books cannot be taken at face value as there are always circumstances around them that have some bearing on those records. As the old saying goes, there are lies, damn lies and then there are statistics. In other words, records are sometimes misleading ... although there is still some merit for setting a record when tempered within the proper frame of reference.

[kent dorfman]

Thank you Texasscout96. Samurai Stang- I think you misunderstand me. All I'm saying is that while he is a good ballplayer who needs to learn a bit of discipline. He does tote some blame for some bad plays but it is to his credit that we were in a lot of the games we lost last season. It's just that I don't think you can judge him against McIlhenney and others because those guys played on a big stage and had to make plays against better competition.

[Big Hoss]

I think you guys are all making the writer's point is that he is arguably the best young QB. Note the word that I emphasized, it's a derivative of argue. The competition is different now, the college game has shifted to more of a passing game (thus increasing JW's stats), etc. all good points.

Also, maybe the writer should have put more emphasis on the word young, when saying the best young QB? He was a RS sophomore on a very bad team.

Say what you want, but JW being within a couple TDs of breaking the freshman passing TD record in 2006 was pretty incredible to watch. And remember, JW wasn't the only one to take a step back last year, the entire team did.

(And before anyone mentions it, yes I know the freshman TD passing record is even higher now that Sam Bradford broke it this past season.)

[PonySoprano]

Bobby Waters

[Big Hoss]

Bobby Waters

I love his music. Oh wait, that's Muddy Waters.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

Willis needs to mature in a hurry. His leadership grades rival his academic grades.

[Mexmustang]

Lance beat UT as a sophomore, in his first start!

[Stallion]

as a TRUE freshman in his first year and first start

[mrydel]

as a TRUE freshman in his first year and first start

Correct. A glorious day it was.

[PonyLove]

And it was Bevo's birthday.

[redpony]

When it comes to passing QB's I believe that Fred Benners is hard to beat. I believe that his game at Ohio State still holds the record for the longest game in Ohio stadium. The second half of the game he scored 32 points againt a team that had won the Rose Bowl the year before and was also national champion (IIRC). SMU left Columbus with a 32-27 victory that left more than 75000 fans in awe of the Mustang football team.

GO PONIES!!!

[kent dorfman]

I have to say that as a young Pony Fan (class of 06) it is great to hear these stories of the Ponies going into Columbus and putting on a show in front of Buckeye fans. Got a buddy from Columbus. Huge Buckeye fan. I hope one day I can do some legitimate trash talking with him before an SMU-Ohio State game, if that will ever happen again.

[ponyfan84]

Aren't you forgetting someone? Richard Bartel? Or how about Tate Wallis? Chris Phillips? Some great QBs there.

In terms of JWill I agree w/ Mr. Kent Dorfman. He made some key plays but the only reason he shattered the record books is because we had to throw it all game to play catch up, leaving the run game non existent after the first quarter. He's got a hot head and is too much of a show boat. I am hoping he gets his act together and is thrown to WR or leaves. Time for one of JJ's recruits to step in and run this offense and this team.

[mathman]

Before we write off JW, I think it would be wise to see how everything shakes out. He is a talent.