Turner questionable for Virginia Tech game

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner is questionable for Saturday's Virginia Tech game with an MCL injury to his left knee, Coach Ralph Friedgen said in Sunday's teleconference.

Turner was knocked out of Saturday's loss to N.C. State with just under five minutes to play in the first half. No MRI was conducted on Chris on Sunday. Friedgen said he will wait as long as he has to before deciding on Turner's availability for Saturday.

"There is a chance [he could play], but we will have to see," Friedgen said.

If Turner cannot play, Friedgen will likely start backup Jamarr Robinson, who saw his first extended action Saturday in the 38-31 loss to N.C. State. Friedgen has not ruled out using freshman Danny O'Brien at some point during the next three games.

Friedgen said he liked the way Robinson competed Saturday. He said Robinson made a few mistakes but some of the best things he did were with his feet. "He got better the longer he was in there," Friedgen said.

Regarding the ACL injury to defensive lineman Isaiah Ross, Friedgen said he talked to Ross about the injury. "He heard his knee pop when he was engaged with a blocker and went down in pain," Friedgen said. "I saw the offensive lineman hitting him while on the ground. I thought he had gotten hurt at that time. Talking to Isaiah, he did not get hurt at that time."

But Friedgen said what occurred may have been worse because "the kid was in pain and the guy was working him over."

Friedgen had said that the N.C. State player should have been ejected. It was unclear which N.C. State player was involved with Ross on the ground.

Friedgen liked that his defense forced three turnovers, which he felt were caused because of the pressure applied to quarterback Russell Wilson. He thought Turner played well after the interception to start the game.

Asked about Turner's spirits, Friedgen said, "I don't think anyone is up right now."

"We are playing for pride right now," Friedgen said. "Go out and have fun and play as hard as we possibly can. if we can win, we get a lot of momentum for next season. The biggest mistake we can make right now is to give in to it."

Friedgen expects three physical games the rest of the season against Virginia Tech, Florida State and Boston College.

By Eric Prisbell  |  November 8, 2009; 4:47 PM ET  | Category:  Football
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