UTEP'S QB

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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.