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Ohio State's Anderson Russell brings down Illinois quarterback Juice Williams after a gain in the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
JEFF HINCKLEY, McClatchy-Tribune
Ohio State’s Anderson Russell brings down Illinois quarterback Juice Williams after a gain in the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
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Juice Williams always will remember Nov. 10, 2007 as “electrifying.”

That was the day that Illinois marched into The Horseshoe at then-No. 1 Ohio State and shocked the college football world with a 28-21 upset.

There are certainly differences between those Illini, who went to the Rose Bowl, and this season’s team that is fighting for bowl survival as it heads to Ohio State on Saturday.

But the former Illini quarterback recognizes a familiar connecting thread between the teams.

Like Ron Zook then, current coach Tim Beckman is criticized often. The skills of the quarterback — Reilly O’Toole playing in place of injured Wes Lunt — frequently are questioned. The Illini, 281/2-point underdogs, are given almost no chance.

Williams, who currently works as the team’s director of alumni and former player relations, said he will tell the players to use that as fuel.

“It’s very similar in terms of the doubters,” he said. “People say nasty things. I used it as motivation to light a fire for myself. The (criticism) of me not being a pocket passer or being able to hit routes, it motivated me. I dedicated myself to (that) week in particular. I was just locked in all week.”

His memories of that game are as vivid now as they were seven years ago after he threw four touchdown passes and masterfully executed a clock-eating final series to secure victory.

The Buckeyes opened the game showing why they were No. 1, scoring in two plays — a series-opening 65-yard pass and an 11-yard touchdown run from running back Chris “Beenie” Wells.

“Good teams are going to hit you,” Williams said. “They’re going to hit you hard and they’re going to hit you often. It’s about how you respond. My whole thing was just go hit them back in the mouth.”

The Illini scored in three plays to tie the game on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Williams to tight end Michael Hoomanawanui. The teams exchanged first-quarter scores for a 14-14 tie and Illinois took a 28-21 lead into the fourth quarter.

“That was the loudest stadium I’ve played in in the fourth quarter,” Williams said.

The most important series — arguably in Williams’ career — wasn’t a scoring drive. The Illini ran out the the final 8 minutes, 9 seconds with 16 plays.

“Let’s burn as much clock as we can,” he said he thought. “I wasn’t thinking about scoring a touchdown. I wasn’t thinking about a field goal. I was just milking the clock. It’s Ohio State. They’re going to score (if they get the ball back).”

When the Illini faced fourth-and-inches on the Illinois 33-yard line with 6:53 remaining, Zook opted to punt. But Ohio State coach Jim Tressel called a timeout to avoid a penalty for too many players on the field and Williams — spurred on by freshman receiver Brian Gamble — campaigned for a chance.

“‘I know I can get a half an inch,'” Williams told Zook. “He gave me this blank stare with his arms crossed and his finger on his nose, just thinking. He asked (offensive coordinator) Mike Locksley (about it on the headset). Then Zook said, ‘Go get it.'”

But when Zook called a quarterback sneak instead of a handoff to power runner Rashard Mendenhall as Williams expected, Williams had a short-lived crisis in confidence.

“Up to three seconds until I snapped the ball, all the what-ifs popped into my head,” he said. “What if I drop the snap? What if the center gets knocked back? What if I just don’t get it? Then I saw a little gap, a little lane.”

Williams pushed forward for the first down and also converted five third-down conversions on the drive.

When time ran out, Williams said he stood near the 20-yard line and an emotional pipe burst. A Gatorade bath ensued in the locker room. Fans waited for the team’s arrival at the airport.

“It was an incredible experience,” he said. “It was something you dream about as a kid.”

Williams said he hopes his memories can plant belief in the current players.

“Having belief in confidence, it’s true you can move mountains with a bit of faith,” he said.

sryan@tribune.com

Twitter @sryantribune