Like everyone not on a UTEP football scholarship or payroll, Tulane coach Bob Toledo won't know who the Miners are starting at quarterback until a little after 7 Saturday night.
In the meantime, they are getting ready for several alternatives and will adjust at the time.
"We're preparing for (Trevor) Vittatoe and also (James) Thomas," he said. "We'll be prepared for whoever they play. ... There's a reason Trevor is first string and the other guys aren't."
He hasn't seen the other guys in person, but he's seen Vittatoe for the past three years.
"No. 1, he's got a lot of experience," Toledo said. "He's been playing for four years now and has had some unbelievable games. He's primarily a passer, but he also has the ability to run and beat you with his legs as well. He's not a guy who is just going to stand back there, throw the ball and get sacked.
"Just his experience and knowledge of what defenses are trying to do, being in that system for four years now, he's a proven guy."
Good news
Defensive tackle Germard Reed wore a helmet to Thursday's closed practice, indicating he would participate in some capacity.
Grounded
While UTEP struggled to stop the run in both of its losses, Tulane hasn't run the ball well all season. The Green Wave rank 114th in rushing yards (84 per game) and now are dealing with injuries at tailback, as the top two players on the depth chart, Payton Jason and Orleans Darkwa, are questionable.
Jamar Thomas, a true freshman,
is expected to have his red shirt pulled this week.
"Jamar is a good running back," Toledo said. "He's out of University Lab (School) in Baton Rouge. He'll return kickoffs for us, he'll play some running back, and he will help us on other special teams."
The team's leading rusher is Albert Williams, who started three of the first four games before moving down the depth chart.
"I would say that he is the most healthy, let's put it that way," Toledo said. "He would have to be the main guy. ... We have to go in assuming that these two guys (Jason and Darkwa) aren't healthy and aren't going to be able to play too much. If they can, it'll be a bonus for us."
Specialty
UAB neutralized UTEP's kickoff return game by making pooch kicks, which held the Miners to 5 return yards, while still giving them an average starting field position of the 28-yard line after kickoffs. Tulane tried the same strategy against Tulsa without much success.
"Our kickoff coverage team was not good," Toledo said. "We tried to kick it away from their returner and the kicks weren't very good. The coverage for the most part wasn't good."
UTEP, meanwhile, is looking to replace kickoff returner Donovan Kemp, who is out for the year with a knee injury. Marlon McClure will now be the main kickoff returner and Jason Williams would seem likely to move into the No. 2 role.
"I don't know what we're going to do there," Miner coach Mike Price said. "We're anticipating squib kicks, so there may not be many returns."
Big day
Last week, Tulane sophomore quarterback Ryan Griffin threw for 412 yards, the fourth best passing day in school history. His 53 attempts make him the first Tulane player to have more than 50 since Lester Ricard threw 52 against UTEP in 2005.
Griffin's career touchdown high is three, set last year against both UTEP and SMU.
In the meantime, they are getting ready for several alternatives and will adjust at the time.
"We're preparing for (Trevor) Vittatoe and also (James) Thomas," he said. "We'll be prepared for whoever they play. ... There's a reason Trevor is first string and the other guys aren't."
He hasn't seen the other guys in person, but he's seen Vittatoe for the past three years.
"No. 1, he's got a lot of experience," Toledo said. "He's been playing for four years now and has had some unbelievable games. He's primarily a passer, but he also has the ability to run and beat you with his legs as well. He's not a guy who is just going to stand back there, throw the ball and get sacked.
"Just his experience and knowledge of what defenses are trying to do, being in that system for four years now, he's a proven guy."
Good news
Defensive tackle Germard Reed wore a helmet to Thursday's closed practice, indicating he would participate in some capacity.
Grounded
While UTEP struggled to stop the run in both of its losses, Tulane hasn't run the ball well all season. The Green Wave rank 114th in rushing yards (84 per game) and now are dealing with injuries at tailback, as the top two players on the depth chart, Payton Jason and Orleans Darkwa, are questionable.
Jamar Thomas, a true freshman,
is expected to have his red shirt pulled this week.
"Jamar is a good running back," Toledo said. "He's out of University Lab (School) in Baton Rouge. He'll return kickoffs for us, he'll play some running back, and he will help us on other special teams."
The team's leading rusher is Albert Williams, who started three of the first four games before moving down the depth chart.
"I would say that he is the most healthy, let's put it that way," Toledo said. "He would have to be the main guy. ... We have to go in assuming that these two guys (Jason and Darkwa) aren't healthy and aren't going to be able to play too much. If they can, it'll be a bonus for us."
Specialty
UAB neutralized UTEP's kickoff return game by making pooch kicks, which held the Miners to 5 return yards, while still giving them an average starting field position of the 28-yard line after kickoffs. Tulane tried the same strategy against Tulsa without much success.
"Our kickoff coverage team was not good," Toledo said. "We tried to kick it away from their returner and the kicks weren't very good. The coverage for the most part wasn't good."
UTEP, meanwhile, is looking to replace kickoff returner Donovan Kemp, who is out for the year with a knee injury. Marlon McClure will now be the main kickoff returner and Jason Williams would seem likely to move into the No. 2 role.
"I don't know what we're going to do there," Miner coach Mike Price said. "We're anticipating squib kicks, so there may not be many returns."
Big day
Last week, Tulane sophomore quarterback Ryan Griffin threw for 412 yards, the fourth best passing day in school history. His 53 attempts make him the first Tulane player to have more than 50 since Lester Ricard threw 52 against UTEP in 2005.
Griffin's career touchdown high is three, set last year against both UTEP and SMU.
