Turner the Burner: Everyone knows the nickname.

It has run in USA Today, seen on ESPN and is part of a complete marketing scheme to help garner NIU senior running back Michael Turner the Heisman Trophy Award.

Well, Turner might not be burning as bright if it weren’t for DeKalb Daily Chronicle sports writer Bob Regan, an NIU alumnus.

Regan, who has covered NIU for the past 15 years, dating back to his days as the sports editor at the Northern Star, is the one responsible for creating the nickname Turner the Burner. Regan didn’t copyright the nickname and doesn’t want any revenue from it. He said it was just something he did for fun.

Turner, the nation’s top returning rusher, doesn’t like the nickname, but it has taken off and Regan is to thank for helping catapult it into the national spotlight.

Northern Star: How did you come up with the nickname Turner the Burner?

Bob Regan: I was writing the season preview two seasons ago before he was even the starter, and I got done writing a little about Thomas Hammock (2002 graduate). A quality backup to Thomas was Michael Turner. I saw that he had good breakaway speed. It was almost as if he had another gear to go into.

I was thinking of a name, and that’s when I saw he turned on the afterburners, and that’s when I saw a little rhyme there. Eventually, it was something that we had in the headlines by midseason after he took over for Thomas Hammock. Mike Korcek (Sports Information Director) wanted to pick up on that, and he called me and asked if everything was cool there. I said that was fine.

NS: How did it catch on so quickly?

BR: It kind of has a nice little ring to it and plus, you can play with something like that. And obviously Northern did that with the hot sauce and the T-shirts and the hats.

NS: Are you offended that he doesn’t like the nickname?

BR: You never are really sure if someone doesn’t like the nickname or not. It doesn’t really matter [to me].

NS: What do you think are his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy?

BR: The Heisman is certainly a dark horse. It is supposed to go to the best collegiate athlete every year. But people know it’s usually going to go to a major program and a program that wins, but because of that, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll get the Heisman. A lot of that is going to go on how he is perceived nationally. It’s still a directional school until Northern proves otherwise.

NS: If you could start a team and had the first pick, who would you take of all the running backs you’ve seen at NIU?

BR: Judging by last year’s performance, I would say it would be Michael Turner. I also liked Thomas Hammock. I would take both of those guys together. They both run with a lot of heart. Plus, it seems like they both enjoy doing what they are doing.

NS: Have his Heisman hopes been boosted or flattened after the first two games?

BR: Neither. I don’t think you can measure the Heisman by two games. It is measured by an athlete’s performance during the entire season. Everyone is about a 24-hour opinion these days, and people need to be patient and let things play out.

NS: Will Turner and NIU win at Alabama on Saturday?

BR: The line as of Monday is 13 1/2 and I think it’s going to be a competitive game. I think Alabama will most likely win but will come away with a respect for Northern Illinois.