Re-Turner

By Gus Bode

Craig Turner has a simple philosophy when it comes to doing his job.

“I come out and give everything – go balls to the wall, pardon my French,” said Turner, a return specialist and cornerback.

His attitude paid huge dividends in the form of 233 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in SIU’s 27-24 loss Saturday to Western Kentucky. Turner, a junior from Boutte, La., studying physical education, gained more yards on seven returns (233) than the Salukis’ offense mustered in 43 offensive plays (200).

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Turner’s efforts earned him Gateway Football Conference special teams Player of the Week honor and a selection as a I-AA.org National All-Star.

His big day moved him up in SIU’s record book, as well.

Turner’s 812 career punt return yards shattered a record set in 1968 by Doug Hollinger. His 60 career punt returns rank him second in that category, 15 returns behind Reggie Fowler (SIU 1994-1997). Turner’s 290 punt return yards in 2006 rank him fifth on the single season list, 18 yards behind his total of 308 in 2005.

His punt return touchdown in the second quarter of the WKU game, which put the Salukis up 21-7, was classic Craig Turner.

He eschewed the fair catch, even with a would-be tackler bearing down on him. Turner took the hit, horsed his way out of the tackle and turned on the jets. Once he had a chance to move forward, Turner sprinted from one sideline to the other for an 83-yard score – second in SIU history to his 85-yarder versus Youngstown State in 2005.

“He’s a great special teams return guy,” head coach Jerry Kill said. “That’s why he was an All-American last year.”

And it looks like Turner, a running back in 2005, could surpass the return numbers he totaled in his sophomore campaign. Turner finished 10th in the nation with a 14.7 yards-per-punt return average and was named a first-team, all-Gateway Football Conference selection as a return specialist.

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Turner’s 649 all-purpose yards – which combine rushing, receiving and return yards – rank second on the Salukis to All-American running back Arkee Whitlock’s 1,062.

Call him an instant field position – a Weeble who wobbles but won’t fall down, whether he has to spin, leap or lower his pads. He gets tackled but not on the first hit, as was the case in SIU’s 48-16 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 23.

Turner had eight total returns for 176 yards, including a punt return in which he took a tackle head on, ran through it and spun out of another, all while dancing on a tightrope down the sideline.

After the game, junior quarterback Nick Hill shook his head when asked about Turner’s performance and style.

“I can’t do it, and I’m not going to tell him what to do, but man, he takes some shots sometimes, but it seems like he never goes down,” Hill said.

Turner had two returns of more than 40 yards, including a 42-yarder where he got his jersey ripped off at the SIU 42-yard line.

Simply put, the 5-foot-10-inch, 195-pound package of speed and fearlessness never thinks he cannot make a play. He stays on his feet and does not shy away from contact, even though he knows it is coming.

“Oh yeah, every game I look for the big hit,” Turner said. “It sounds kind of crazy, actually, but somebody has to bring it; somebody has to bring the big hit.”

But one thing Turner rarely does is wave his right arm for a fair catch, no matter how much pressure comes his way.

“No, he doesn’t. I like that,” senior defensive end Lorenzo Wims said.

Wims called Turner a playmaker, an athlete who inspires confidence even when he puts himself in harm’s way.

His fearlessness in the face of a potential knockout blow keeps his coaches and teammates wondering about his sanity.

“Sometimes (Kill) asks me what I’m thinking, what goes through my head,” Turner said. “He said if he played he doesn’t think he could do that. But he has confidence in me, and that’s the big thing.”

And Turner has confidence in his own abilities. He said he does not wave for fair catches because he knows what he can do.

“If I see an opportunity where I can make a play or I can make something out of nothing, then that’s why I take it,” Turner said.

But the threat of a tooth-rattling hit is always present. Turner said he does not care about the consequences of standing in there and fielding punts other returners would think twice about fielding.

“It’s not going to stop me, and it’s not going to change my flow,” Turner said. “I’m not going to adjust my swagger. It’s all going to be the same, so if somebody makes the big hit, hats off to them, but I’m coming back anyway, and the next time they’ll have to bring it harder.”

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