Rebels’ Johnson catches on

SALT LAKE CITY -- When UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton needed to convert a third down, he often didn't look to wide receiver Phillip Payne, a player accustomed to making big plays.

Clayton instead turned to wide receiver Michael Johnson for some key completions. The junior led the Rebels with seven receptions for 94 yards in Saturday's 38-10 loss at Utah, converting four third downs.

"Today, I had a decent game; next week it could be anybody else," Johnson said. "But that's not the whole goal. The goal is to win, so the stats really don't mean anything."

Opposing defenses figure to focus on Payne this season, possibly leaving Johnson with more opportunities.

He had plenty against the Utes.

"He was able to get open in man coverage," Clayton said. "He's a really good receiver. Phillip is our No. 1 guy. But, at the same time, anybody else can come out and have a good game, and I feel like Michael was able to do that."

■ GETTING THE CALL -- Clayton ran the first-team offense in practice during the week, so it was likely he would start against the Utes.

Then he played well enough to stay on the field, leaving Mike Clausen on the sideline. Clausen started the Rebels' season-opening 41-21 loss to Wisconsin.

Against Utah, Clayton completed 18 of 37 passes for 217 yards to move past Jason Thomas into fifth place on UNLV's career passing list with 5,041 yards.

But Clayton said he didn't know if he was ensured the starting spot when the Rebels play at Idaho on Saturday, saying that decision is up to coach Bobby Hauck and offensive coordinator Rob Phenicie.

"I never worried about that," Clayton said. "My job is to play and my job is to practice and my job is to play football and lead this team. That's what I'm going to do whether I'm starting or not."

■ LAST CALL -- UNLV drove to 2-yard line with about five minutes left and to the 1 in the final seconds and failed to score either time.

On the last attempt, which occurred with two seconds left, the Rebels lined up for a field goal but called a fake, with kicker Nolan Kohorst getting stuffed up the middle for a 1-yard loss.

Hauck defended the call, asking, "Why not try something? Nothing else worked."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at
manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.