11/21/2008
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from the Morning Sentinel
LEWISTON -- Here in the corridors of Lewiston High, there is a name everyone knows.
He is the reason a dozen or more carloads will head north on the turnpike Saturday morning to Orono in 30-degree weather to watch a college football game from metal bleachers.
Jared Turcotte of Lewiston is the University of Maine's rushing leader as a 19-year-old redshirt freshman, a remarkable distinction for a state that produces few Division I skill position players, and even fewer who have an impact in their first season.
"We talk about how it's crazy he wore our jersey and went up there and did so much damage so quick," said Spencer Emerson, Turcotte's younger brother and a cornerback for the Blue Devils. "I knew he was going to be good. I didn't think lots-of-touchdowns-as-a-freshman good."
Turcotte's emergence is a key reason Maine (8-3, 5-2 Colonial Athletic Association) will play Saturday for the CAA North Division title against New Hampshire (8-2, 5-2) -- and a possible berth in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Maine has reeled off six straight wins since Oct. 11. Its rushing game is a glaring contributor to that success, averaging 272.5 yards per game during the streak.
Turcotte has rushed for a team-high 582 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 6.5 per carry, and also leads the team in receptions.
To put his season in perspective, it's been more than 15 years since any skill position player from Maine has had this kind of impact.
Steve Knight of Marshwood High led Maine in rushing as a junior in 1993. Before him, Bobby Wilder of Madison put together a solid career at quarterback from 1984-87.
There have been others. And many linemen from Maine have stepped in quickly. But the glory jobs are usually reserved for out-of-staters.
"There's not a long list of skill kids from Maine we've recruited, I can tell you that," Maine coach Jack Cosgrove said. "We're lucky. I think he's a I-A player."
Around Lewiston, there's been a gnawing feeling for some time that if the beast in Turcotte was unleashed, he'd show what he could do. He won the Fitzpatrick Trophy as a senior for Lewiston.
"He's a classy kid, but he's got a different level of anger and intensity," Lewiston coach Bill County said. "On the football field he's vicious. He will rip your head off."
Turcotte was groomed to be a blocking back at Maine. He put on 20 pounds in the offseason last year and weighed in at 238 during preseason. He slipped into his role against James Madison when tailback Jhamal Fluellen was injured.
It was a dicey time for Maine. The coaching staff was forced to adjust the entire offense a game later when quarterback Adam Farkes injured his shoulder.
Backup Michael Brusko doesn't throw as well as Farkes, and without Fluellen, it was unclear how Maine would move the ball.
"I was pretty sure I had the answer," County said.
Turcotte flashed his ability against James Madison, dragging defensive backs as he picked up 6, 7 yards per carry.
"I'm yelling at the TV set to give him the ball," County said. "He really believed in himself. And as he started to get the ball he really began to prove himself."
By game's end he had 82 yards on 11 carries. He had entered that game having no idea he'd get so many chances.
"During the game I was surprised they kept feeding me the ball," Turcotte said. "I was perfectly fine being the fullback, H-back, and not the person who gets all the yards. This is a feeling I don't think anyone could get enough of."
"The Lewiston community is incredibly proud of Jared," said assistant principal Michael Hutchins, a former assistant coach at Maine. "I don't think he even realizes that. Not only did his time come, but Jared has made the most of it."
His former teammates have been talking about him all season, peppering his brother with questions on the bus to road games or before practice.
"When he left here we always figured he'd do good, but not as early or as fast," senior Tyler Lussier said. "He's the hometown guy everyone wants to see win."
And many, like Skip Capone, an assistant coach at Bates College and former head coach at Lewiston, will make the trip Saturday to watch Turcotte.
"I'm not sure if people understand that the things Jared is doing with the football as a 19-year-old redshirt freshman are really quite remarkable," Capone said. "There's still a stigma for skill kids from Maine. Hopefully what Jared's doing will open some more doors."
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