University of North Carolina Athletics
Turner To Return vs. Virginia Tech
October 2, 2014 | Football
By Emily Fedewa, GoHeels.com
North Carolina faces a dangerous Virginia Tech team this weekend, one that has already knocked off Ohio State in Columbus and is looking to avoid an 0-2 start in conference action. If the Tar Heels are to earn a victory over Virginia Tech at sold out Kenan Stadium, they will have to improve on last week's performance at Clemson.
"I think it's going to be a big game for us," quarterback Marquise Williams said. "I'm excited just to get back home, get that family atmosphere back in the air and get this W because I know I'm tired of losing. I've got to hope these guys are too."
For Williams, a big reason for that excitement is the return of veteran offensive lineman Landon Turner, who sat out against ECU and Clemson with a sprained MCL. Turner is Carolina's most experienced lineman with 19 career starts.
While the injury forced him to miss two crucial road games, he didn't let that affect him. Instead, he put his emotions aside and took on a new role from the sideline, helping the coaches as well as the young players who were on the field in his absence improve - and he thinks that was the perfect place for him last week.
"It was an opportunity to kind of study the game from a different lens and I think I grew from it, for sure," Turner said. "It was tough. I hate being out and I love this game, but at the same time, it was a blessing for me because now I can appreciate the game a lot more, and I definitely don't take it for granted."
While he's glad he got that experience to study the action from a different vantage point against Clemson, Turner is more than ready to get back on the field on Saturday against the Hokies.
The offensive guard, who was once heavily recruited by Virginia Tech, is from Harrisonburg, Va., just a couple hours from Blacksburg, and he is always excited to play a team from his home state.
It won't be easy, though. Turner will need to steady a young offensive line and help it improve its discipline and physicality to get a win at home this weekend.
"We've got to play physical. We've got to be disciplined in our assignments," Turner said. "(Virginia Tech's) got a good, tough defense...and they've been successful so far this year. I think the key for us is just to do our jobs and be physical in the run game."
But those keys to success could be derailed if UNC continues to be plagued by penalties as it has been in recent years. Last year, Carolina finished the season with 96 penalties, and it has already racked up 38 in its first four games of the 2014 season.
Head coach Larry Fedora has brought in ACC officials for almost every practice to help with that because he understands the importance of continuing to progress - and that includes minimizing penalties so that the Tar Heels don't defeat themselves.
"Our guys understand the point of emphasis," Fedora said. "We've had (ACC officials) out here and we continue to hold our guys accountable for what they're doing. Hopefully we'll play smarter on Saturday."
