When Terrapin quarterback Jordan Steffy told Chris Turner to warm up because he’d injured his thumb early in the third quarter of Saturday’s game against Delaware, the backup was skeptical.
Turner expected to play at some point this season, but he didn’t think it would be so soon.
“I said, ‘All right. I’ll start warming up, but keep rolling. Keep going. You’re being tough,'” Turner said. “[Steffy] did a good job. He was hurt most of the third quarter.”
Wednesday, coach Ralph Friedgen named Turner, who started the Terps’ final eight games last season but lost his spot to Steffy in a preseason competition, as the starting quarterback for Saturday’s game at Middle Tennessee State.
He also revealed Steffy will be out indefinitely with a fractured right thumb.
The injury will require surgery after the season, but Steffy may be able to return in three to four weeks without doing additional damage to the thumb. Surgery right now would end the senior’s season.
Steffy was not available for comment.
“I have a lot of confidence in Chris,” Friedgen said. “It’s not like he’s a rookie now going in there. He’s shown what he can do. What he has to do is do it consistently.”
Three weeks ago, Turner was contemplating transferring after Steffy was named the starter for the Terps’ season-opener against Delaware. After forgettable performances by all three quarterbacks in Saturday’s 14-7 win against the Blue Hens – the game which included Steffy’s injury – Turner is back leading the Terps despite going 1-3 for 11 yards in the game.
“It’s a little bit crazy,” Turner said. “I didn’t see it happening, obviously. As the backup I had to be ready for anything, and here I am now.”
It also leaves the Terps with just three quarterbacks on the roster until Steffy returns.
Junior Josh Portis, who ran the ball on each of his four snaps for 10 yards against Delaware, will also see time against Middle Tennessee. Redshirt freshman Jamarr Robinson is the only other quarterback on the roster, and freshman wide receiver Tony Logan has taken snaps as scout team quarterback.
The injury also allows Portis to take more snaps at practice, which Friedgen said is what the young quarterback needs. Friedgen is mindful that using his dynamic athlete situationally in games risks another injury, but the eighth-year coach said he’ll continue to use him because it gives the team the best chance to be successful.
“He has a chance to develop now and grow,” Friedgen said. “It could be a blessing, which is how Josh approaches it. It’s an opportunity for him to get better, and hopefully he will.”
But Turner, who threw seven touchdowns and seven interceptions last season after taking over the quarterback spot when Steffy was injured against Rutgers, is back in a familiar spot, even if he feels like he hasn’t done anything to earn his job back.
“It’s just tough luck again for Jordan,” Turner said. “I don’t know what else to say.”
The newly-crowned starter said he doesn’t want to think about the past, and he expects Steffy to recover quickly.
Until then his charge is simple: “I just have to be prepared to win games,” Turner said. “I’m not here to just do a decent job. I’m here to win games and have a good record.”
Terp Note: Friedgen said running back Da’Rel Scott should be ready to play after missing Monday’s practice due to a leg infection. Running back Morgan Green, who missed the season-opener with a quadriceps injury, may also see action against Middle Tennessee, according to Friedgen.
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