The Penn State men's rugb y team received two surprises Saturday night. First, its opposition, Philadelphia Whitemarsh RFC, did not show up, forcing the team to play an intrasquad scrimmage.

It got its second when one of its star players suffered a potentially serious injury.

Matt Miller, the Ruggers' All-America eightman, suffered a knee injury in the second half of the Blue-White scrimmage Saturday night in Holuba Hall.

It occurred when Miller landed awkwardly on his left leg.

Team trainers tended to him immediately and he was carried off the field by his teammates.

"His leg hit the ground and it popped out his kneecap," team trainer Miyuki Hattori said.

When asked if the injury was anything serious, head coach Don Ferrell replied, "I sure hope not."

Both Miller and the trainers believe that this may be the result of a recurring knee injury, and Hattori said he felt it could be a sprain.

Miller could be out 2-3 weeks and will get his knee examined by a doctor on Monday.

"Hopefully it's just the recurring injury," said Miller. "It shouldn't be anything too serious."

The Ruggers' next match is March 3 against Kutztown. The three-week break between games could be just enough time for Miller to recover if the injury is just a sprain.

"It's really lucky that we have three weeks," Miller said.

The eightman is an important role to a rugby team.

His job is to control the movement of and begin play after a scrum. He is typically the only forward to run with the ball.

"He tackles well, he plays well, he's the best No. 8 I've ever seen," senior prop R.J. Krempasky said of Miller.

Even if Miller would be unable to play against Kutztown, the Ruggers believe they will be able to adjust.

"No one would be able to fill in his shoes," fullback Luke Roberts said, "but we have enough depth to make up for it."

The depth of the Ruggers showed itself on Saturday. The coaches and players were impressed by the play of both sides of the scrimmage.

"Either team starting tonight could start against anyone and do well," Ferrell said.

The intrasquad scrimmage took place because of what Ferrell called a "scheduling snafu" with Super League club Philadelphia Whitemarsh.

The team was apparently unaware that they had a scrimmage against the Ruggers and therefore canceled the scrimmage.

"It's frustrating," All-America flanker Auggie Manelick said, "but the Blue-White scrimmage will still be worthwhile."

The game provided some of the bench players with a chance to show the coaches what they could do.

Players in position battles squared off against each other to give the coaches a better look at the matchup.

"This scrimmage will be important to all the players looking to prove themselves to the coaches," Manelick said.