Caleb Stephen TerBush
(born January 5, 1990) is a former
American football
American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team with ...
quarterback
The quarterback (commonly abbreviated "QB"), colloquially known as the "signal caller", is a position in gridiron football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive platoon and mostly line up directly behind the offensive line. In modern Ame ...
. He played for the
Purdue University
Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money ...
Boilermakers
A boilermaker is a tradesperson who fabricates steel, iron, or copper into boilers and other large containers intended to hold hot gas or liquid, as well as maintains and repairs boilers and boiler systems.Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Dep ...
and was briefly signed by the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division, and play t ...
of the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...
from May to August 2013.
High school career
TerBush went to
Metamora Township High School
Metamora Township High School (often referred to as MTHS) is a public high school located in Metamora, Illinois, United States, with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. The school's athletic teams compete in the Mid-Illini Conference.< ...
in
Metamora, Illinois
Metamora is a village in Metamora Township, Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,636 at the 2010 census. Metamora is a growing suburb of Peoria and is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geograp ...
. There he was a three sport athlete. For football he was coached by Pat Ryan, and led his squad to 14–0 record and Class 5A state championship. After the season, he was named first team all-area and all-conference, and special mention all-state after passing for 1,575 yards and 16 touchdowns with just three interceptions, while rushing for 859 yards with 16 touchdowns. As a result, he was selected team co-
Most Valuable Player
In team sports, a most valuable player award, abbreviated 'MVP award', is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particu ...
. As a freshman and junior, he played as a
wide receiver. As a college recruit, he was listed as a three-star prospect ranked as the #32 quarterback nationally by
Scout.com
Scout Media is an integrated sports publishing company that produces Internet content covering hundreds of professional and college teams across America. The company was founded in 2001 and was acquired by Fox Sports in 2005. In 2013, Fox Sports ...
, and ranked as #6 player in
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
by
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting in the United States. The network was started in 1998 and employs more than 300 personnel.
History
Rivals.com was founded in 1998 by Jim Heckma ...
.
TerBush committed to
Purdue University
Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money ...
on September 29, 2007. TerBush was not heavily recruited, and was discovered at
Joe Tiller
Joseph Henry Tiller (December 7, 1942 – September 30, 2017) was an American football player and coach. He was the head coach at the University of Wyoming from 1991 to 1996 and Purdue University from 1997 to 2008, with a career record of know ...
's passing camp, the same way Purdue found former Boilermaker great
Kyle Orton
Kyle Raymond Orton (born November 14, 1982) is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for Purdue, where he started four straight bowl games. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Dr ...
.
College career
2008–2010 seasons
During the 2008 season, his first year, TerBush
redshirted
Redshirt, in United States college athletics, is a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen their period of eligibility. Typically, a student's athletic eligibility in a given sport is four seasons, aligning with the ...
to gain a better grasp of the college game and the Purdue playbook.
In 2009, TerBush was a backup to
Joey Elliott
Joseph Preston Elliott (born August 2, 1986) is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, BC Lions and Ottawa Redblacks of the Cana ...
, and only played in one game, a contest against the
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are the athletic teams representing the University of Wisconsin–Madison (University of Wisconsin). They compete as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level (Football Bowl Subdivisi ...
on October 31. He completed four of ten passes for 22 yards. He also received team's Newcomer Award - Offense for spring practice in 2009.
As a sophomore, TerBush missed all of the 2010 season with academic problems.
2011 season
Terbush was named the starter for the
2011
File:2011 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: a protester partaking in Occupy Wall Street heralds the beginning of the Occupy movement; protests against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who was killed that October; a young man celebrate ...
season opener, after an injury to
Rob Henry, and with
Robert Marve
Robert Eugene Marve (born February 10, 1989) is a former American football quarterback who played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). As a high school player, Marve was named Mr. Football Award (Florida), Florida' ...
still nursing an injured
ACL. He led the Boilermakers to a 27–24 victory over
Middle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU or MT) is a public university in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Founded in 1911 as a normal school, the university consists of eight undergraduate colleges as well as a college of graduate studies, together of ...
in his first career start. In the game, he was 19-of-33 passing for 219 yards (a career-high). He also had a career-high, two touchdown passes in the game, while throwing one interception. Against
Rice
Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima
''Oryza glaberrima'', commonly known as African rice, is one of the two domesticated rice species. It was first domesticated and grown i ...
, TerBush threw for 183 yards along with a touchdown pass, while also running for 68 yards and another score. The Boilermakers lost the game 24–22, as TerBush suffered his first loss as a collegiate starting quarterback. For the
Southeast Missouri State game, Marve returned from his injury and was named TerBush's backup. TerBush completed 14 of 17 passes in the game for 143, as the Boilermakers won 59–0. Against
Notre Dame, TerBush completed 10 of 15 passes for 101 yards, as well as a touchdown pass and an interception. TerBush started the game, but there was also significant playing time for Marve. The following week against
Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
, he made his first career
Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference (stylized B1G, formerly the Western Conference and the Big Nine Conference) is the oldest Division I collegiate athletic conference in the United States. Founded as the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representati ...
start. The Boilermakers went on to win the game 45-17 with TerBush and Marve splitting time again. For the game he completed 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.
The following week TerBush led the Boilermakers into
Penn State #Redirect Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campu ...
, where he completed 12 of 25 passes for 162 yards with a touchdown and two very costly interceptions. TerBush had the Boilermakers in a position to tie the game in the third quarter, when he hit O.J. Ross with a 14-yard touchdown pass to make the game 13-12. The extra point was missed, spoiling Purdue's momentum. Purdue had a promising drive come to an abrupt halt when TerBush's pass was tipped and then intercepted by Nick Sukay. TerBush went on to lead Purdue to another scoring drive to make it 20–18 with 8:08 left in the fourth quarter, but a late attempt to make a comeback was foiled when he threw another interception with 1:59 remaining. The Boilermakers lost 23–18. On October 22, TerBush passed for 178 yards and tied a career-high with two touchdown passes to lead Purdue to a 21-14 upset victory over No. 23
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
. The following week, TerBush completed 9 of 13 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, while splitting time with Marve. It was the first time in his career that he led the team in rushing yards for a game. Purdue lost the game 36–14 to the 17th-ranked
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines comprise 29 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except women's water polo, which competes in the NCAA inter-divisio ...
, in
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the largest stadium in the United States and the Western Hemisphere, the third largest stadium in the world, and the ...
. On November 5, TerBush led the Boilermakers into
Camp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium is an outdoor stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Wisconsin. It has been the home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team in rudimentary form since 1895 ...
to face the No. 19
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are the athletic teams representing the University of Wisconsin–Madison (University of Wisconsin). They compete as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level (Football Bowl Subdivisi ...
. After Wisconsin got an early lead, TerBush led the Purdue offense down the field using three plays, capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass to Crosby Wright, to tie the game. The game had all the makings of a shootout from the end of the first quarter, with the score 14–10 in favor of Wisconsin, but the Purdue offense was slowed after that with TerBush throwing two interceptions. He was later pulled in favor of Robert Marve, who did not have much success either. TerBush ended the game completing 10 of 19 passes for 103 yards.
TerBush started the
Ohio State
The Ohio State University, commonly called Ohio State or OSU, is a public land-grant research university in Columbus, Ohio. A member of the University System of Ohio, it has been ranked by major institutional rankings among the best public ...
game, and quickly got Purdue up 10–0. After two consecutive drives that ended in Purdue punts, he was benched in favor of Marve. With Marve's first drive, he led the team on an 88-yard touchdown drive. In the second half, Marve started, but the offense came out flat and TerBush was brought back in. After two drives, and no points, Marve was put in again. TerBush ended the game completing 15 for 24 for 140 yards. Purdue went on to win the game 26–23 in overtime with Marve scoring the game-winning touchdown. Despite Marve leading the team to a victory against Ohio State, TerBush would remain the starter against
Iowa
Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the ...
the following week, needing a win to become bowl eligible. TerBush would keep the team in game in the first half, throwing a touchdown to Gabe Holmes and keeping the Boilermakers within seven points at halftime. After starting the second half slowly, he was replaced by Marve. The Boilermakers went on to lose the game 31–21. After the loss to Iowa, Purdue entered the final game of the regular season needing a win, against
rival
A rivalry is the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each participant o ...
Indiana
Indiana () is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th s ...
, to become bowl eligible. TerBush led seven Purdue scoring drives, completing 16 of 25 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown pass, leading to a 33–25 victory. With the win, TerBush became the first Purdue quarterback the team to a record of .500 or better since
Curtis Painter
Curtis Jeffrey Painter (born June 24, 1985) is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
High school caree ...
did it in
2007
File:2007 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Steve Jobs unveils Apple's first iPhone; TAM Airlines Flight 3054 overruns a runway and crashes into a gas station, killing almost 200 people; Former Pakistani Prime Minister of Pakistan, Pr ...
. The Boilermakers won the
2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, against
Western Michigan
West Michigan and Western Michigan are terms for an arbitrary region in the U.S. state of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Most narrowly it refers to the Grand Rapids- Muskegon-Holland area, and more broadly to most of the region along the Lower Pen ...
, with TerBush completing 8 of 13 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. With the win, TerBush helped clinched the school's first winning record since 2007.
2012 season
During spring practice, TerBush was named a captain for the
2012 season. TerBush entered his senior season looking at splitting playing time once again with Marve, and now the fully recovered Henry. With TerBush working mostly with the first team, he was expected to start the first game of the year, until it was announced (one hour prior to gametime) that he had been suspended and Marve was the starting quarterback. Marve responded by having the best game of his Boilermaker career, throwing for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns, in a 48-6 win over
Eastern Kentucky
Eastern may refer to:
Transportation
*China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai
* Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways
* Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991
* Eastern Air ...
. TerBush returned to his starting role the following week against rival, Notre Dame. TerBush played the entire first quarter for the Boilermakers, but since the Boilermakers were head scoreless, Marve replaced TerBush at quarterback in the second quarter.
[ ] Marve moved the ball for Purdue, leading them on two scoring drives resulting in 10 points.
Marve had Purdue close to scoring again in the 4th quarter, when he was sacked and re-injured his knee.
TerBush came in during the drive and threw the game tying score to Antavian Edison.
Purdue would lose on the next drive as Notre Dame made a game-winning field goal.
The following week, Purdue played
Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan University (EMU, Eastern Michigan or simply Eastern), is a public research university in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School, the school was the fourth normal school established in the United Sta ...
, and with Marve sidelined with his third ACL tear, TerBush was the unquestioned starter for the first time since the 2011 season opener against Middle Tennessee State. TerBush played the first three quarters of the game, until the Purdue took a large enough lead that Henry could get substantial playing time. TerBush finished the game with 2 passing touchdowns, and added another score on a 2-yard rush in the 2nd quarter.
Statistics
Through the end of the 2012 season, TerBush's statistics are as follows:
TerBush has a 10-11 win–loss ratio for his career as the starting quarterback at Purdue.
Professional career
Prior to the
2013 NFL Draft
The 2013 NFL Draft was the 78th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft, which is officially called the "NFL Player Selection Meeting", was held at Radio City Music Hall in ...
, TerBush was projected to be undrafted by NFLDraftScout.com. He was rated as the 44th-best quarterback in the draft.
He was not invited to the
NFL Scouting Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is a week-long showcase occurring every February at Lucas Oil Stadium (and formerly at the RCA Dome until 2008) in Indianapolis, where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Footb ...
, he posted the following numbers during his Purdue pro-day workouts:
After going undrafted in the
2013 NFL Draft
The 2013 NFL Draft was the 78th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft, which is officially called the "NFL Player Selection Meeting", was held at Radio City Music Hall in ...
, TerBuh received a tryout with the
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in , the Steel ...
, but failed to make the roster.
On May 13, 2013, TerBush signed with the
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division, and play t ...
. On August 25, 2013, he was cut by the Cardinals.
Coaching career
TerBush now serves as the quarterbacks coach at
Metamora Township High School
Metamora Township High School (often referred to as MTHS) is a public high school located in Metamora, Illinois, United States, with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. The school's athletic teams compete in the Mid-Illini Conference.< ...
.
Personal
TerBush's major at
Purdue University
Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money ...
was
sociology
Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of Interpersonal ties, social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of Empirical ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Terbush, Caleb
1990 births
Living people
American football quarterbacks
Purdue Boilermakers football players
High school football coaches in Illinois
People from Woodford County, Illinois
Players of American football from Illinois