Sept. 13, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
#24 OREGON STATE at UNLVGame Notes (Sept. 12, 2009)
UNLV lost to a ranked opponent at home for the 10th consecutive time. The only time the Rebels, who are now 5-23 all-time vs. ranked teams, downed a ranked opponent at home was on Nov. 10, 1984, when QB Randall Cunningham led the program to a 26-20 victory over No. 20 (UPI) Cal State Fullerton.
Oregon State, which improved to 2-3 vs. UNLV in the all-time series, was making only the fourth visit ever from a Pac-10 Conference team and the first since OSU and Washington State were both in town during the 1991 season. The Rebels fell to 4-10 all-time vs. Pac-10 teams.
With the heart-breaking loss, UNLV (1-1) failed to start a season 2-0 for the 10th consecutive year.
Senior All-America candidate Ryan Wolfe caught nine passes for 91 yards. UNLV's career leader in both categories moved up two spots on the Mountain West Conference all-time list in receptions. His 223 catches moved his past SDSU's Jeff Webb (218 from 2003-05) and tied Wolfe in fourth place overall with Colorado State's David Anderson (223 from 2002-05). Wolfe needs eight more grabs to tie Wyoming's Ryan McGuffey (231 from 2000-03) in third place. SDSU's J.R. Tolver is the record holder with 262 from 1999-2002.
Despite leaving the game with a minor injury in the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Omar Clayton's third-quarter touchdown pass to Rodelin Anthony meant Clayton is now tied for the third in Mountain West history with 11 consecutive games with at least one TD pass. He tied Utah's Lance Rice (2001-02) and is now three such games away from tying former Utes QB Brian Johnson (2007-09). BYU's John Beck is the record holder with 15 games from 2005-06.
Clayton's 170 yards passing gave him 2,895 in 18 career games played at UNLV. That total moved him into 12th place on the school's all-time list and just 42 yards out of 11th and 87 yards out of 10th place (Larry Gentry, 2,982 yards from 1977-80).
With his 3-3 night on PATs, senior PK Kyle Watson tied a school record for consecutive extra points converted. Watson is 45-45 in his career, which matches Dillon Pieffer (2001-02) and Jim Cook (1986-88).
Deante' Purvis' 64-yard kickoff return was the longest by a Rebel since Dominique Dorsey's 87-yarder vs. Northwestern on Sept. 7, 2001.
Rodelin Anthony hauled in a career-best two touchdowns as part of his 57-yard day. His five catches tied a career high.
Mike Clausen came off the bench after Clayton's injury and led the Rebels on two TD drives. He hit Rodelin Anthony from 13 yards out and then Phillip Payne from 10 yards out to give UNLV a 21-20 lead with 4:16 remaining. The two passing scores tied Clausen's career high.
Phillip Payne's six catches (46 yards) tied the sophomore's career high for receptions, set vs. Air Force on Oct. 18, 2008.
UNLV's three quarterback sacks were the most for the team since getting three vs. TCU in Game Nine of last year (Nov. 1, 2008, vs. TCU).
