UNLV wins season opener, 27-17

Sam Morris

UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton throws during the season opener against Utah State on Aug. 30 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Through eight games this season, Clayton has accounted for 1,849 yards through the air, 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He currently ranks 27th in the nation in passer efficiency.

By Sun Staff (contact)

Published Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008 | 7:04 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008 | 10:11 p.m.

FIRST QUARTER:

-- UNLV is defending the north goal in the first quarter with strong winds tonight at Sam Boyd Stadium.

-- Utah State punts the ball after going three-and-out on its first drive.

-- Utah State is getting the ball back at 12:53 at its own 33 after UNLV had little success on offense.

-- UNLV gets a turnover and starts the drive in Utah State territory. After a timeout, the Rebels came out with a 3rd and 8 on the Utah State 9. Omar Clayton threw to Ryan Wolfe for a touchdown to cap a 47-yard drive at 6:23 in the first.

Score: UNLV 7, Utah State 0

-- A run from freshman running back Ryan Turbin initially was called a touchdown, but Turbin lost control of the ball near the goal line. UNLV coach Mike Sanford challenged the play and the officials reversed the call, giving the Aggies a 1st and goal inside the 1. After two more plays, the Aggies are looking at a 4th and goal inside the 1.

SECOND QUARTER:

-- At 4th and goal inside the 1, Turbin gets into the end zone at 14:56 to tie the game.

Score: UNLV 7, Utah State 7

-- On 3rd and 7, Omar Clayton throws to wide receiver Phillip Payne -- a true freshman from Las Vegas who went to Western High -- for a touchdown to end a 79-yard drive at 8:32 in the second.

Score: UNLV 14, Utah State 7

-- Utah State has to punt the ball. The Rebels are back on offense.

-- Freshman quarterback Mike Clausen is on the field for the Rebels. He picked up his first completion in Division I football for a first down.

-- The Rebels are punting to Utah State with 1:48 in the half.

-- Rebels defensive back Lorenzo Bursey Jr. picks off Utah State at 1:06.

-- With 12 seconds left facing a 4th and 1, UNLV sent kicker Kyle Watson onto the field. Watson connected on a 20-yard kick.

Halftime score: UNLV 17, Utah State 7

THIRD QUARTER:

-- UNLV couldn't take advantage of good field position to start the second half and has to punt to Utah State.

-- Utah State punts to UNLV. The Rebels down the ball at the 25.

-- Clayton gets his third touchdown pass of the night, and his second to Wolfe. Wolfe runs into the end zone to end a 74-yard drive.

Score: UNLV 24, Utah State 7

The Aggies get a 42-yard Peter Caldwell field goal at the 6:00 mark to pull within two touchdowns of the Rebels.

Score: UNLV 24, Utah State 10

-- UNLV is forced to punt. The Aggies take over with 3:06 in the third.

-- The Aggies' Caldwell punts the ball on 4th and 3 with 18 seconds in the quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER:

-- UNLV goes three-and-out and has to punt again with 14:11 in the game.

-- The Aggies go for it on 4th and 1 near midfield, but the pass is incomplete. The Rebels take over on downs.

-- The Rebels give the ball back to Utah State on a 4th and 6 after a punt.

-- Utah State punts to UNLV. The Rebels return the ball 18 yards to start near midfield.

-- UNLV kicker Ben Jaekle hits a 42-yard field goal with 6:54 in the game.

Score: UNLV 27, Utah State 10

-- Utah State pulls within 10 points with 2:16 on the clock after Diondre Borel completes a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nnamdi Gwacham.

Score: UNLV 27, Utah State 17

FINAL SCORE: UNLV 27, Utah State 17

Visit lasvegassun.com Sunday for expanded coverage of the game.