Taking Care of Business -- Healthy Turner Makes Running Back Difference
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The college football journey ends this year. Christian Turner understands that even while refusing to dwell on it. There’s too much to do, too many plays to make and, he hopes, Indiana games to help win.
After six seasons, three teams and more than 1,500 rushing yards, the Hoosier running back knows his college career is almost over.
But not his perspective in making the most of what remains.
“That’s big pressure if you look at it like that,” he says when asked about this being his final season. “I can’t afford to do that. I want to think positive. It is my last season, but if I look at all the negative things about that, it gets too distracting. I can’t allow me to put myself in a bad mental place.”
The 5-11, 205-pound Turner is in a good place heading into Saturday’s game at Maryland (4-0). A knee injury is healed, or at least healed enough for him to play and be productive. He understands what needs to be done.
“Running back is pass protection and being able to run through the gaps,” he says. “That’s the central part of the position.”
Last Saturday against Akron, getting his most playing time as a Hoosier with running back Josh Henderson out with an injury, Turner ran 13 times for 67 yards and a touchdown. He showed impressive speed with his 6-yard TD run and an earlier 17-yard rush.
If he gets an opening, he will maximize it.
He’s rushed for 116 yards this season. His 4.6 yards per carry average is better than Jaylin Lucas (4.4 yards) and Henderson (4.1). He’s only caught one pass, but he’s capable of more moving forward.
“He’s a good player,” offensive coordinator Walt Bell says. “It’s unfortunate that he had a little injury bug, but now he’s as healthy as he can be.
“He’s a hard runner. He’s a really consistent practice player. Does that mean he’s perfect on game day? Nobody is. He’s worked hard to earn the right to play. He’s the guy who will get the lion share of reps.”
Turner joined the program last winter after rushing for nearly 1,400 yards in two seasons at Wake Forest and three at Michigan. He’s well acclimated to learning different offenses, personnel, and coaches.
“I’ve been in college for a while and played for different teams,” he says, “so I’ve had to understand a lot of systems. I’ve had to adapt to each system.”
Quarterback Tayven Jackson can vouch for Turner’s adaptation skills.
“He’s a very good running back,” Jackson says. “He’s going to be in the NFL someday.
“Him being a veteran with a lot of years in college football, that gives me a lot of confidence in run blocks and giving him the ball up the gut.
“He’s phenomenal.”
The injury set Turner back, but didn’t stop him.
“It has been frustrating,” he says. “I rely on my faith and my teammates. They’ve helped keep me up.
“Josh has been one of my biggest supporters. I’m the same with him. We’re really close.”
That closeness helps now that Henderson is hurt.
“We know injuries happen,” Turner says. “Not everything goes the way we want it to. We know we’re blessed, we’re going to fight through things, and we will fight through things. Josh is one of the toughest people I know. It’s a minor setback for him.
“It’s a long season. We need everybody.”
Bell and head coach Tom Allen’s run-first attack still needs to find its rhythm given IU (2-2) only averages 108.8 rushing yards per game. Turner will continue to have a major role.
“I’m here for whatever they need me to do,” he says. “Whatever role they need me to fit, whether it’s a power back or catching the ball on the outside. This is a very diverse offense and anything I can do to help the team, I want to do.”
Running backs coach Craig Johnson – whose resume features plenty of NFL and college experience -- wants a versatile group able to thrive as needed.
“Coach Johnson does a great job of allowing us to know that we have to be ready to fill a role, be ready to do anything the job requires you to do,” Turner says. “He’s a running back guru and a guy I wanted to be around. I can learn a lot from him.”
Learning sometimes comes from frustration. Case in point -- IU’s inability to score a touchdown on four plays from the Akron 4-yard line -- Turner’s two runs gained two yards, Donaven McCulley’s two runs gained one yard.
“I felt I did well,” Turner says about his Akron performance, “but there were things I could improve on. I need to get my pads lower on the goal line. We have to execute on the goal line. Get my pads lower and make the plays that we can.”
Henderson’s status is uncertain for Saturday. He’s rushed for 91 yards and caught six passes for 88 yards.
With Lucas (184 rushing yards) and Trent Howland (23 yards) also in the mix, Bell says IU has four good backs to work with and “there’s not a giant drop off” when any of them play.
“Josh gives us the biggest advantage, not just in the run game, but receiving and pass protection,” Bell says. “He does a phenomenal job with things that aren’t necessarily noticed.”
Turner notices. He does the same things. The goal is to put it all together against Maryland, and beyond.
“We have to take care of business,” he says.