Clayton to start at QB on Saturday

UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton, who has been hampered with a bruised right knee, will start against Hawaii, football coach Mike Sanford said today.

The Rebels play Hawaii at 8 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Clayton was injured in this past Saturday's 23-21 loss to Oregon State. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

Mike Clausen relieved Clayton, and nearly led the Rebels to victory. He is expected to play against the Warriors as well, continuing the coaches' plan of working Clausen in during games to make sure he's ready if needed.

Also, Jason Beauchamp (sprained right ankle) will start. He usually moves back and forth between end and linebacker, and will be at end most of this game. Because of Hawaii's wide-open run-and-shoot offense, the Rebels will be in nickel and dime defenses often, which puts Beauchamp on the line.

Whether guard Sean Tesoro, who sprained his right ankle in practice Wednesday, will be a game-day decision. Jason Heath will get the call if Tesoro can't go.