As regents deliberate commission report, Canada has Terps focused on Illinois

COLLEGE PARK — Maryland interim coach Matt Canada said Tuesday that he will take the “same philosophy” into the preparation for Saturday’s home game against Illinois despite potential distractions for his players over the findings of an investigation into allegations of a toxic culture under coach DJ Durkin.

As the University System of Maryland’s Board of Regents were meeting to discuss the findings by a commission looking into the football program Tuesday in Baltimore, Canada said at a regular weekly news conference that there would be no major changes for the team.

“We’re really excited to play against Illinois, ’cause we just lost a game and we didn’t play very well,” Canada said, alluding to last week’s 23-0 loss at then-No. 19 Iowa. “That’s what we’re excited about today. We’re going to deal with today. There’s no way to keep anything in our world [away] right now. We’re not going to tell ’em what to read.

“I think they’ve done a better job than anybody else of sticking together and focusing on what they’re doing and focusing on football, focusing on each other, focusing on mourning the loss of a teammate. I have no doubt, I know we’ll have a great practice today. I’ll put a lot of money on it.”

The regents are expected to release the findings of the commission, formed after allegations of a toxic culture under Durkin surfaced in the wake of offensive lineman Jordan McNair’s death from heatstroke, within a week. Durkin has been on administrative leave for months.

NOTES: Canada said that junior wide receiver DJ Turner, who missed the last two games with a thigh injury, had a “procedure” done and will be out for Illinois and could return for the Nov. 3 home game against Michigan State. Junior running back Jake Funk, who has not played since breaking a hand in practice the week after the season-opening win over then-No. 23 Texas, could return for either the Spartans or a road game against Indiana on Nov. 10 if there are no further setbacks.