Texas-El Paso 59, Sam Houston St. 14

Updated: September 28, 2003, 1:01 AM ET

EL PASO, Texas -- Jordan Palmer, the younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, threw two touchdown passes and rushed for a score in his first collegiate start as Texas-El Paso beat Division I-AA Sam Houston State 59-14 Saturday night.

Palmer, a redshirt freshman, completed 13 of 23 passes for 170 yards and threw two interceptions. On his first play from scrimmage, Palmer completed a 45-yard pass to Chris Marrow. Jimmy Smith scored on a 2-yard run to put UTEP up 7-0.

Marrow, who caught both of Palmer's touchdown passes, led the Miners (1-4) with four receptions for 73 yards.

Palmer scored on a 1-yard sneak with 3:29 left in the second period to make it 21-0.

Thomas Howard then score on a 56-yard interception return to give UTEP as 28-0 halftime lead.

Howard Jackson led UTEP with 160 yards rushing on 24 carries and a touchdown.

Sam Houston (1-3) turned the ball over six times, and UTEP scored on an interception return and a fumble recovery.

Stevie Smith led Sam Houston State with 96 yards and a TD on 13 carries.

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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