Badgers defense proves too much for Rebels QB

For Mike Clausen, there will be better days.

Given the UNLV junior quarterback's struggles Saturday, it's hard to imagine him enduring worse outings than the one he suffered in the Rebels' 41-21 loss to No. 12 Wisconsin in front of 31,107 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Clausen beat out Omar Clayton for the starting job during fall camp, becoming the sixth quarterback to open the season for UNLV in the last seven years. He threw for 23 yards on 4-for-10 passing, getting sacked three times by the Badgers' speedy defense before being pulled in the third quarter.

First-year coach Bobby Hauck tried to put the 6-foot-2-inch, left-hander in low-risk situations. But with UNLV unable to effectively run the ball, Clausen became easy prey for Wisconsin's swift, athletic defensive line and linebackers, who were all over him before he could throw or improvise.

"They came in with numbers at us, and you knew what to expect," Clausen said. "Whatever they came with, we didn't respond to it."

When Clausen got time, he made good decisions, such as the one with 1:08 to go before halftime, when he connected with Phillip Payne for a 16-yard touchdown to make it 17-14.

The scoring play came after Will Chandler's 82-yard fumble return for UNLV, which thwarted what almost certainly would have been a Wisconsin scoring drive. Nick Toon pulled in a pass from Scott Tolzien and was headed for the end zone before being separated from the ball by Deante Purvis at the UNLV 2.

Still, Clausen's halftime numbers were pedestrian -- 3 of 8 for 16 yards and the touchdown to Payne, to go along with three sacks. He also was on the field for only 6:19 in the opening 30 minutes, so he wasn't able to find his rhythm.

Clausen's second half wasn't much better. On UNLV's third play from scrimmage, needing 12 yards to maintain possession, he connected with Michael Johnson in the left flat. But Johnson was hit, fumbling at the Rebels 20, and Wisconsin's Aaron Henry scooped up the loose ball and scored to put the Badgers up 24-14. On the next series, Clausen threw one up for grabs on third-and-6 that should have been intercepted.

That was the end of Clausen's night as Clayton replaced him midway through the third with the Rebels trailing 27-14.

Clayton fared slightly better. After misfiring on his first five attempts, he finished 6 of 16 for 82 yards and a touchdown, a 9-yard pass to Irshad Stolden early in the fourth quarter. He also ran nine times for 59 yards.

"We said we'd play Omar some," Hauck said. "He came in and did some nice things. We'll go back and look at the tape and see who starts next week."

Hauck said he doesn't expect the switch to adversely effect Clausen, and the QB concurred.

"Me and Omar battled all through (fall) camp," Clausen said. "He can play at any time, and when he comes in, I support him, just like he supports me when I'm out there."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2913.