By Joel Flom
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 2, 1997

Human shield

Photo courtesy of San Diego State University Arizona Daily Wildcat San Diego State offensive tackle Kyle Turley gets ready at the hike to protect the quarterback. Turley has allowed only 5 1/2 sacks out of 823 pass plays.

Winning the lottery.

Getting struck by lightning.

Beating San Diego State's offensive tackle Kyle Turley for a sack.

It just doesn't happen that often.

During his sophomore and junior seasons, the senior has allowed only five and a half sacks. During that span, the Aztecs have called 823 pass plays. Do the math. The odds of a defensive player blowing by Turley are not good.

He remembers all five and a half. The thought does not make him too happy.

"Some of them were just mental mistakes," Turley said. "I take a lot of pride in having sackless games. When you see that the quarterback is about to get nailed, and he is looking the other way, you get this feeling in your stomach. It's indescribable."

So, instead of getting that sick feeling, Turley protects the quarterback like a bear protects her cub. Nobody comes between them.

Growing up

Some people change after high school. Some people really change. And then there's Turley.

"I use to be this 180 pound, blonde-haired, lanky kid that always hung out at the beach," Turley said. "I grew up skateboarding and surfing."

Turley, who has no relation to Arizona's offensive lineman Ryan Turley, has done a little growing since then. He now stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs in at 305 pounds. He has added 75 pounds since his arrival to SDSU.

"Once I arrived, I knew that I had to get bigger," Turley said. "It is just something that has gradually happened."

He has improved his strength too. Turley bench presses 405 pounds and does a 355-pound power clean, the best on the team.

Still a kid at heart, however, Turley said he still takes his skateboard out for a spin here and there. Just stay out of his way.

Postseason Award Power

His strength and speed has made him a top draft prospect, along with a Lombardi Award finalist and an All-America Candidate.

"He is an awesome football player," defensive line coach Marty Long said. "He should be in the NFL. I am serious."

Instead of bolting early, Turley returned for his final year, in part to pick up some hardware along with winning the Western Athletic Conference.

"I am coming back to show that you can go to San Diego State and still be a first team All-American," Turley said.

"Its an honor," Turley said about being up for these awards. "I just accept these awards as appreciation for my hard work."

Last season, Turley was named first team All-WAC and was named to the second team as a sophomore. During his sophomore year, he was also recognized as the most-improved player on the squad by the coaching staff.

Turley has also gained praise from his opponents.

"Its going to be real tough for us to put any pressure on the quarterback this week," UA linebacker Chester Burnett said.

Late Bloomer

If you were not familiar with his background, you would assume that Turley was the kind of kid that had the pigskin under his arm hours after being born. The neighborhood kid that was always playing ball in the street.

"I did not play football until my senior year of high school," Turley said. "Wrestling was my first love. I didn't want to give up my summers."

In reality, he started playing football so he could have some stories.

"I went out my senior year because I wanted to be able to tell my kids that I played high school football. I never saw any of this coming."

Despite it being his first season, Turley was named an all-league first teamer. He was also heavily recruited by Fresno State and Iowa State.

Just like Arizona, the Aztecs are off to a 1-3 start. The three losses equal the total amount that SDSU had all of last year. The slow start has taken a toll on Turley and his teammates.

"Its been tough," Turley said. "We are not used to losing like this."

The attitude in the locker room has not been a chipper one.

"We have had setbacks. We are at a low."