It's probably fair to say that on many levels the starting quarterbacks for Saturday's rumble at Camp Randall are polar opposites. One is named John, the other Juice. One is a prototypical pocket passer, while the other is a speedster who can make plays with his feet. One is a fifth-year senior, and the other is a true freshman.
During the course of the Big Ten match-up between Illinois and Wisconsin, the trend continued as the two quarterbacks were at opposite sides of the success spectrum all day long.
In the first half, Wisconsin senior quarterback John Stocco was having one of his worst days, with only 59 yards passing and two turnovers that led to Illinois touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Illinois' fab freshman Juice Williams was showing why Illinois fans should be excited for the team's prospects in the future, throwing and running for a combined 173 yards and tossing a touchdown pass, helping Illinois jump out to a 24-10 lead.
"I don't think we played very well in the first half offensively or defensively," cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu said. "I really don't think we were ready to play."
Williams' first half performance wasn't overlooked by the Badgers as the multi-talented quarterback raised the eyebrows of several UW players with his surprisingly cool approach to playing in a hostile environment.
"You'd think a freshman quarterback coming into Camp Randall Stadium would kind of be a little rattled, especially with the crowd noise and playing the kind of opponent we think we are," Ikegwuonu praised. "I was impressed. He made some plays we really didn't think he could make … I really applaud him, he played well."
"He's very good, he's very elusive especially for a freshman," safety Joe Stellmacher said. "He's a player on the rise, and he's going to have a great college career."
But in the second half, the tables turned and the players' fortunes reversed as Stocco once again played poised as a commanding field general, leading Wisconsin to 20 unanswered second-half points and his fifth career fourth-quarter comeback. Stocco completed 11 of 15 passes with two touchdowns tosses, including a 22-yard strike to Andy Crooks to give UW its first lead of the day.
"He's definitely calm, cool, collected," receiver Luke Swan said after the game. "Same old John that he always is. He's just trying to get us to get rolling and get this going."
"You can't faze him, no matter what happens," Bielema said. "I thought it was very interesting to see the game unfold and see how he handled it."
Meanwhile, Williams struggled in the second half throwing a key interception on the first drive of the second half that led to a touchdown and managing to only push Illinois to 80 total yards and zero points.
Stocco taking control and leading his team back from a 21-3 deficit once again illustrated how the fifth-year senior is unflappable in pressure situations — a trait that has caught the eye of not only Wisconsin coaches but those all around the Big Ten as well.
"I thought Stocco played very well," Illinois head coach Ron Zook said. "After the interception for a touchdown in the first quarter he showed everyone how composed he was in the second half, making some big throws and not making many mistakes."
"It's interesting to go up and talk to the (opposing) coaches before the game," Bielema said.
"To this point, every coach that I talk to, the one player that they continue to talk about is and say to me 'Hey, I really like him,' is John Stocco."
Stocco himself was happy, but not overly excited with how his day turned around in the second half, instead insisting that his attitude never fluctuated throughout the game. That sentiment has come to define Stocco and his even-keel demeanor on the field.
"There's going to be times in games where things don't go your way, and sometimes all it takes is one big play to get momentum swinging back your way … so you just can't panic," Stocco said.
