Adam Fried/The Diamondback
On three of Chris Turner’s four turnovers Saturday, a Rutgers defender was barreling down on him. Each time, the blow seemed to be harder — first he was knocked over on a deep pass, then chopped down on the throwing arm and finally pummeled by an unblocked safety.
The senior Terrapin quarterback finished the day with the worst on-paper performance of his career. Three interceptions, two fumbles — one was recovered by teammate Justin Gilbert — and a 34-13 loss.
After the game, Turner fielded questions from reporters with the appearance of a beaten man. The normally even-keeled quarterback said he felt, “like I let my team down in a lot of ways,” putting much of the onus of responsibility for the poor offensive showing on his own shoulders.
No where in sight was the unheralded kid from California with the broad grin who carried the Terps in an upset win against then-No. 10 Rutgers on Sept. 29, 2007, the last time the teams met. But a five-turnover team performance can even darken the mood of the player once dubbed “Sunshine.”
With three days for bruises, both mental and physical, to heal, Turner returned to the Gossett Team House dining room to confront reporters. And with roughly 25 media outlets suffocating him with microphones and voice recorders, Turner was, well, Chris Turner. Just as he popped back up after each hit Saturday, the fifth-year senior and team captain quickly responded to concerns about the turnover and confidence issues his team has had to deal with in its worst start to a season since 1997.
“That’s something that I like because that shows me and my teammates that he’s a winner,” wide receiver Adrian Cannon said. “He’s a tough guy. He’s been taking some hits for us every week. And he’s been getting up, still producing.”
Turner will not be confused with the most gifted quarterbacks in the nation. And his 11-13 record as a starter has inspired much of a vocal fanbase to question how far he can take the Terps (1-3). But Turner has proven to be a clutch performer and accurate passer, and as of right now, he remains the only known commodity under center on the Terps’ roster.
Reviewing tape of the Rutgers game, Turner said his errors were “correctable,” adding, “I can’t see myself making [those mistakes] again.”
One of the primary issues highlighted by film was Turner’s decision making under pressure. A young offensive line has let up 14 sacks in the first four games this season, as compared to 28 in 13 games last season.
Offensive coordinator James Franklin praised Turner in training camp and the early season for his ability to feel out opposing blitzes and make smart decisions. But Franklin spoke to Turner recently about what he felt were significant changes in the quarterback’s game.
“I think it’s natural — as human beings, there’s a self-preservation [instinct],” Franklin said. “So instead of just dropping back and going through your progressions and doing the things you’re trained to do, we saw it last year at Virginia, we saw it last year against Florida State. Chris is a tough guy. And he’ll stand in there and do the things he has to do.
“But I’ve been talking to all the quarterbacks about this — they’ve got to be tough suckers. They’ve got to be so mentally and physically tough that they’re going to do their job despite the odds. They’re going to follow their training, despite the odds.”
Turner admits there were times when he should have simply held onto the ball instead of throwing while getting hit. And he and Franklin both noted there were open receivers Turner simply did not see as a result of getting rid of the ball in a hurry.
On his second interception of the game, Turner took a full-force blindside blow as he released on a deep ball to Cannon. The wobbly aftermath was an easy interception for Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty, who was draped in between Cannon and Turner. On the other side of the field, wide receiver Ronnie Tyler had broken free and was wide open down the field, Franklin said.
In an effort to improve, Turner has been working more in practice on decision making under pressure.
“Do I have guys who are going to tackle me when I have the ball? No,” said Turner, who added he was completely healthy after the game. “But you can simulate it pretty well. If you have guys coming at you, you just focus on getting rid of the ball. It should be like second nature.”
This Saturday, Clemson comes to Byrd Stadium. The Tigers have a vaunted pass rush, and the odds are stacked against the Terps, who have yet to beat an FBS opponent this season.
But on a team filled with question marks, it appears Turner — and any form of a quarterback controversy — is not one.
ajoseph@umdbk.com
