He played for the Purdue University Boilermakers and was briefly signed by the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League from May to August 2013.

For football he was coached by Pat Ryan, and led his squad to 14–0 record and Class 5A state championship.

[7] TerBush was not heavily recruited, and was discovered at Joe Tiller's passing camp, the same way Purdue found former Boilermaker great Kyle Orton.

[8] During the 2008 season, his first year, TerBush redshirted to gain a better grasp of the college game and the Purdue playbook.

In 2009, TerBush was a backup to Joey Elliott, and only played in one game, a contest against the Wisconsin Badgers on October 31.

[10][11][12] Terbush was named the starter for the 2011 season opener, after an injury to Rob Henry, and with Robert Marve still nursing an injured ACL.

For the Southeast Missouri State game, Marve returned from his injury and was named TerBush's backup.

[24] The following week TerBush led the Boilermakers into Penn State, where he completed 12 of 25 passes for 162 yards with a touchdown and two very costly interceptions.

Purdue had a promising drive come to an abrupt halt when TerBush's pass was tipped and then intercepted by Nick Sukay.

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.

Despite Marve leading the team to a victory against Ohio State, TerBush would remain the starter against Iowa the following week, needing a win to become bowl eligible.

[32] After the loss to Iowa, Purdue entered the final game of the regular season needing a win, against rival Indiana, to become bowl eligible.

[34] The Boilermakers won the 2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, against Western Michigan, with TerBush completing 8 of 13 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

[35] TerBush entered his senior season looking at splitting playing time once again with Marve, and now the fully recovered Henry.

[37] 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.

[40] The following week, Purdue played Eastern Michigan, and with Marve sidelined with his third ACL tear,[41] TerBush was the unquestioned starter for the first time since the 2011 season opener against Middle Tennessee State.