Five weeks ago Michael Turner wasn’t even the number one tailback for the NIU football team. Today he is atop the nation.

Going into the sixth week of NIU football, Turner is the leading rusher in Division IA with 742 yards. And judging by what he says, he’s not content to rest on his laurels.

“I believe I can keep it up,” the 5-foot-10, 223-pound Turner said. “If we practice and execute well and everybody does their job, success will come.”

At the start of the season, the notion of Turner being the nation’s leading ground gainer was unthinkable.

In the Huskies’ season opener against Wake Forest on Aug. 29, Turner ran for a quiet 32 yards on eight carries. He watched mostly from the sideline as No. 1 tailback Thomas Hammock stole the show with 172 yards and two touchdowns.

There was nothing to indicate otherwise that Turner wouldn’t have to settle for another season of serving second fiddle to two-time All-MAC performer Hammock.

That all changed before the Huskies took the field for their next game at South Florida. Hammock was sidelined with an undetermined heart condition and Turner was thrust into the role of top dog.

“I had mixed feelings about that,” Turner said. “It was kind of hard not having Thomas out there with me. But I just have to put that to the side and take advantage of what God gave me.”

Turner wasn’t given much against the Bulls as they brought NIU’s running game to a halt, holding Turner to 66 yards on 29 carries. The North Chicago native hasn’t gained less than 160 yards since.

t all started in NIU’s controversial loss to Wisconsin Sept. 14, when Turner piled up 160 yards and crossed the goal line twice. He’s run for a combined 485 yards in NIU’s last two games against Western Illinois and Kent State.

Hammock has not been surprised by Turner’s yardage totals.

“I’ve expected it because I was expecting myself to do the same thing,” Hammock said. “I feel he’s just as good as I am.”

Turner was one of the lone bright spots in the loss to the Leathernecks. He showed his breakaway speed (4.35 in the 40-yard dash) by breaking through WIU’s secondary for touchdown runs of 82 and 65 yards. He finished the day with 282 yards, the fourth-highest total in NIU history.

No. 32 picked up right where he left off Saturday against Kent State, collecting 203 more yards on 40 carries.

Turner’s resistance to hurry things has played a big role in his being able to rack up yardage.

“I’m a patient runner,” Turner said. “I like to let the offensive linemen make their blocks before I outrun them.

“The line’s getting stronger. We’re gaining experience and we’re growing as a team.”

With Turner’s success and the passing game’s struggles, Turner’s running room might dwindle as defenses could start stacking the line of scrimmage more often.

From what coach Joe Novak says, Turner shouldn’t have to worry about his carries dwindling as well.

“We expect that,” Novak said of teams stacking the line. “We’ve seen some of it and we expect to see some more. But we’re always going to run. The strength of our team is our ability to run.”

That ability has produced Turner’s dream season, one which he is having as much trouble believing as a Las Vegas oddsmaker would.

“It’s hard to believe,” Turner said of leading the nation in rushing. “In two or three weeks, all of a sudden I’m No.1. At first I wasn’t even starting, so I’m just taking advantage of being the No.1 running back and it’s paying off.”

It should continue paying off if Turner is listening to what he hears from Hammock, who must now mentor Turner from the sideline.

“I give him the same advice I’ve always given him,” Hammock said. “Just continue working hard and don’t take anything for granted. You just never know when it’s your last time to play. Just play every play like it’s your last and really enjoy the moment.”