Being the gunner on a punt team and preaching the Gospel seem like different worlds.

But here's Scott Turner, flying down the football field looking to bust heads each Sunday. And there's Turner speaking to youths and spreading the word.

After three years with the Washington Redskins, Turner was released during training camp and signed with San Diego a week before the season opener. Since he left Illinois – 1994 was his last season – Turner has balanced religion with football.

"I don't put my faith in man and these games," Turner said. "My faith is in God and Jesus Christ, and I have a firm foundation to stand on."

The 26-year-old Turner, who plays special teams and nickel defense for the Chargers, began speaking to youth groups during his Illini days. Turner and wife Robin operate the Speak A Word ministry, and he plans an "evangelistic-type ministry" after football.

"I do a lot of speaking to youths and banquets and church functions," Turner said. "A lot of it is motivational speaking. I think that's definitely part of my calling."

Faith keeps him from worrying about his NFL future. Special teams have been his home since turning pro, but Turner believes he will land a starting cornerback job sometime soon.

There was no room with the Redskins, who already had Darrell Green and added Chris Dishman during Turner's tenure.

"To be honest, it was a battle for me from Day 1," Turner said. "I had a lot of playing time when I was there. But it was an uphill battle."

So he left Capitol Hill for the West Coast. The weather's much nicer for the Texas native, and he likes the organization, a 4-6 team rebuilding around rookie quarterback Ryan Leaf.

Turner, Washington's seventh-round draft pick in 1995, has been a small part of the plan, using his sprinter speed to take on kick returners. On punt coverage, he's the guy getting double teamed and battered.

"It's a war with no rules," Turner said of his special teams position. "That's a position where you have to have a certain mind-set. They pull you and hold you and hit you out of bounds, and the refs don't call it.

"You're not going to win most of the time. But it's rewarding when you hit someone."

Turner has six tackles – three more than punter Darren Bennett – this season. He posted two stops in last week's 14-13 win over Baltimore.

That gave him 70 career tackles along with three interceptions and one fumble return for a touchdown in four seasons. He will have more opportunities because the Chargers rank behind only Philadelphia and the New York Giants in total punts.

Turner expects bigger things. But he's not sweating it out.

"I have gotten some great opportunities here," he said. "I've been blessed."

Ex-Illini of the week

His only missed tackle made all the highlights as Ben Coates steamrolled him, but Buffalo's Henry Jones had a decent week, making five stops in the Bills' 13-10 win against New England. Buffalo (6-4), a game behind the Jets for the AFC East lead, held the Patriots to 206 total yards.

Brian Dietz is a News-Gazette staff writer.