Turner gets a vote of confidence

Friedgen insists the senior will play large role vs. Duke

Two days after saying he may soon play inexperienced quarterbacks to groom them for next season, Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen softened his stance on the quarterback situation Tuesday, promising that senior starter Chris Turner will play a large role in Saturday's game at Duke.

During his weekly Tuesday news conference, Friedgen attempted to clarify comments he made Sunday, when he talked about the need to start "making plans for the future" if losses should continue to mount for a team that has a 2-5 record and only one victory over a division I-A team.

Both Turner, a team captain who is in his third season as the starter, and backup Jamarr Robinson, a sophomore who has never thrown a pass in a college game, are expected to play against the Blue Devils on Saturday. Friedgen said he planned to talk with Turner about his initial comments that he felt Turner may have misconstrued.

"We're going to do what we have to do to win games," Friedgen said Tuesday. "We're focusing on Duke. We are not disenchanted with Chris. If we don't start doing better, I think it is a thing where you have to look at next year. But right now, I'm focusing on beating Duke. Chris is a very big, important part of that, but so is Jamarr."

Turner was not made available to reporters at Tuesday's news conference, though he is expected to speak to reporters after practice Wednesday.

Senior center Phil Costa gave Turner a vote of confidence, saying that Maryland has the best chance to win games with Turner at quarterback.

"In my mind, there should be no quarterback change," Costa said. "Stick with Chris."

Turner has completed 57.8 percent of his passes, with nine touchdown passes and eight interceptions. He ranks sixth in the ACC in passing yards per game (235.9).

"From the outside, it might look like he is doing a terrible job," wide receiver Torrey Smith said. "When he is confident and protected he is one of the better quarterbacks out there."

The issue all season has been protection. An inexperienced offensive line has failed to create adequate holes for the Terrapins' running backs and keep Turner standing. Maryland ranks 115th nationally in sacks allowed (3.29 per game).

Throughout the season, Turner has been forced to make quick passes because he has had little time to remain in the pocket. In the past month, Turner has also battled nagging injuries, although he has not talked publicly about the nature of his ailments.

"A lot of quarterbacks don't get up after being hit like that," Smith said. "When stuff goes wrong, it is about a lot of stuff that doesn't have to do with him."