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Palmer out with fractured knee

Mark Lambie / El Paso Times

UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer is shown here on September 24 prior to last week's game against Sam Houston State. Times staff

UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer will miss two to six weeks because of a possible fractured left knee, said Jeff Darby, sports information director at UTEP.

News of the injury comes only days after Palmer and the Miners won his debut as starting quarterback on Saturday, defeating division 1-AA Sam Houston State 59-14.

Sophomore quarterback Orlando Cruz, who started the first four games of the season, will start Saturday at SMU, said head coach Gary Nord. Omar Duarte will backup Cruz, and tight end Jon Schaper will be moved from tight end to third-string quarterback, Nord said.

Darby said it's unclear when Palmer's injury occurred, though some suspect it may have happened during the Louisville game.

Palmer, a redshirt freshman and brother of 2003 Heisman Trophy-winner Carson Palmer, was 13-23 for 170 yards with two interceptions in the victory. He had seen action in all of the Miners' first four games - all losses.

I've been trying to post that all day.. but this new board sure hasn't been receptive

That is huge news! How does that affect the defense?
My fear is that despite all Palmer's talents, they might have realized how young he is and trimmed down the offensive packages - meaning we might see more of their offense without Palmer than we would have with him in there.

By the way, here's Palmer's center's bio from the UTEP media guide and server:

13 Orlando Cruz
Quarterback
6-0 -0 210 - SO-1LuHarlingen, Texas (Harlingen South)

Practiced all spring with no contact while recovering from surgery for a torn ACL...2002 (Freshman): Played in seven games, making a start against Rice...tore his ACL against the Owls and was sidelined for the remainder of the season...completed 28 of 58 passes (48.3 percent) for 466 yards and three touchdowns...also threw six interceptions...finished 15 of 19 for 196 yards and a touchdown in his best performance of the season at New Mexico State...his completion percentage versus the Aggies (.789) marked the fifth-best game total in school history...responsible for the longest pass play by a Miner signal-caller in 2002, an 83-yard completion to Terrance Minor at San Jose State...2001: Redshirted...Before UTEP: First team All-District quarterback at Harlingen South High School...four-year varsity letterwinner in football...also lettered in baseball, basketball and track...second team All-District in baseball and basketball...a Texas Scholar...Personal: Parents are Danny and Dolores Cruz...has a brother and a sister...uncle is Sam Garza, UTEP's quarterbacks coach...full name is Orlando Cruz...born 11/6/82 (Brownsville, Texas)...kinesiology major.

This is big - really big. You have to assume that while the UTEP coaches were trying to get Palmer ready for his first start last week, he must have been taking nearly all the snaps in practice. Hopefully Cruz won't be sharp.

It doesn't matter. SMU is going to stuff the run and force UTEP to pass, which UTEP isn't good at, regardless of who is behind the wheel right now.

SMU is going to have success running and throwing the ball against UTEP. I think SMU will actually score in the 30-40 point range, and this will be a blowout. 31 - 3.

If there is a still a ten point line on this game, I would take it in a heartbeat.

I would assume bookies are now saying No Line, because of Palmer's injury.
SMU defense is going to have another great day. Ponies will crack the win column this week!