Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Three defensive lineman likely out
UTEP head coach Mike Price confirmed what most Miner fans dreaded Monday: The Miners will likely be without three deffensive linemen Friday in the Conference USA opener against the University of Houston.
Starters Zach West and Joe Ward and fellow junior Ricky Van probably all will miss the Miners' home opener against the Cougars after suffering knee and ankle injuries in a 34-17 victory at New Mexico State on Sept. 3.
Also, senior cornerback Sir James Delgardo, who has struggled to recover from offseason knee surgery, will miss his second game Friday.
Price said the starting defensive line Friday is expected to be Reggie Miles (right end), Justin Hanel (right tackle), Chris Mineo (left tackle) and Alex Obomese (left end). Obomese didn't practice last week, also with knee and ankle problems, but worked out Monday after two days off.
The starting four are expected to play considerably more Friday, which could test their endurance. Other contributing linemen include junior Justin Watson, senior Tevita Fefita and freshman James Olalekan, who had been a redshirt before the massive injuries sustained by the line against NMSU.
Meanwhile, Price said Delgardo's knee still was not at full strength.
"He didn't make it," Price said. "He was tested on Sunday, and he's got to be within 20 percent or 40 percent, and he was about six percent. He's getting better, just not quite fast enough."
Junior Josh Ferguson again is expected to start in place of Delgardo at right cornerback.
Punt returns: Ferguson will alternate again with junior Johnnie Lee Higgins and senior Tyler Ebell on punt returns.
"It depends on how fresh they are, but that's the order we'll go with," Price said. "I feel comfortable with all three."
Three defensive lineman likely out
UTEP head coach Mike Price confirmed what most Miner fans dreaded Monday: The Miners will likely be without three deffensive linemen Friday in the Conference USA opener against the University of Houston.
Starters Zach West and Joe Ward and fellow junior Ricky Van probably all will miss the Miners' home opener against the Cougars after suffering knee and ankle injuries in a 34-17 victory at New Mexico State on Sept. 3.
Also, senior cornerback Sir James Delgardo, who has struggled to recover from offseason knee surgery, will miss his second game Friday.
Price said the starting defensive line Friday is expected to be Reggie Miles (right end), Justin Hanel (right tackle), Chris Mineo (left tackle) and Alex Obomese (left end). Obomese didn't practice last week, also with knee and ankle problems, but worked out Monday after two days off.
The starting four are expected to play considerably more Friday, which could test their endurance. Other contributing linemen include junior Justin Watson, senior Tevita Fefita and freshman James Olalekan, who had been a redshirt before the massive injuries sustained by the line against NMSU.
Meanwhile, Price said Delgardo's knee still was not at full strength.
"He didn't make it," Price said. "He was tested on Sunday, and he's got to be within 20 percent or 40 percent, and he was about six percent. He's getting better, just not quite fast enough."
Junior Josh Ferguson again is expected to start in place of Delgardo at right cornerback.
Punt returns: Ferguson will alternate again with junior Johnnie Lee Higgins and senior Tyler Ebell on punt returns.
"It depends on how fresh they are, but that's the order we'll go with," Price said. "I feel comfortable with all three."
