2008 Woodie Awards
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TechnographPlayers to watch: Illinois vs. Minnesota
Posted: 1/14/08 Section: TDT
Illinois: #7 Juice Williams
Position: Quarterback
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Chicago
Height: 6-feet-2
Weight: 223 lbs.
Williams got a chance to play the entire game last weekend against Ball State and looks to have found his rhythm behind center. The Chicago native has done more damage with his feet than with his arm this season, running for 435 yards and four touchdowns, including two last week. Williams became the first Illini quarterback to run for more than 1,000 yards in four seasons. Against a Minnesota defense that has been vulnerable to both the rushing and passing game, Williams could have the opportunity for a big day on the ground and through the air.
Minnesota: #23 Dominique Barber
Position: Free safety
Class: Senior
Hometown: Plymouth, Minn.
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 210 lbs
Barber comes from a long lineage of great football players. His dad, Marion Jr., was a former NFL and All-Big Ten running back for the Gophers and his brother, Marion III, played running back for the Gophers from 2001-04 and currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys. Dominique, however, plays on the defensive side of the ball and leads the Gophers in tackles this season with 79. Last season he was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection by the media. His three fumble recoveries is tops on the team and his 41-yard fumble return for a touchdown last week against Michigan was the Gophers' only score against the Wolverines.
Position: Quarterback
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Chicago
Height: 6-feet-2
Weight: 223 lbs.
Williams got a chance to play the entire game last weekend against Ball State and looks to have found his rhythm behind center. The Chicago native has done more damage with his feet than with his arm this season, running for 435 yards and four touchdowns, including two last week. Williams became the first Illini quarterback to run for more than 1,000 yards in four seasons. Against a Minnesota defense that has been vulnerable to both the rushing and passing game, Williams could have the opportunity for a big day on the ground and through the air.
Minnesota: #23 Dominique Barber
Position: Free safety
Class: Senior
Hometown: Plymouth, Minn.
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 210 lbs
Barber comes from a long lineage of great football players. His dad, Marion Jr., was a former NFL and All-Big Ten running back for the Gophers and his brother, Marion III, played running back for the Gophers from 2001-04 and currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys. Dominique, however, plays on the defensive side of the ball and leads the Gophers in tackles this season with 79. Last season he was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection by the media. His three fumble recoveries is tops on the team and his 41-yard fumble return for a touchdown last week against Michigan was the Gophers' only score against the Wolverines.
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