Rebels let Beavers off hook

It shouldn’t have.

UNLV cornerback Deante Purvis’ pass interference penalty breathed life into an Oregon State drive that was all but dead.

The Beavers took advantage by driving to the Rebels’ 16-yard line, where Justin Kahut made a 33-yard field goal with 7 seconds left to hand UNLV a heartbreaking 23-21 loss.

The Rebels (1-1), who host Hawaii next Saturday, probably will spend the rest of the weekend bemoaning their blown chance to upset 7-point favorite Oregon State (2-0) at Sam Boyd Stadium.

“We have to be able to come back, and our team has to stay together,” coach Mike Sanford said. “We have to come back and come up with a great game plan and prepare to beat Hawaii.”

That might be easier said than done. Victory was there for the taking as the Rebels, thanks mostly to end/linebacker Jason Beauchamp’s 10-yard sack, pushed Oregon State back to its 15, where it had third-and-26.

Then nickel back Terrance Lee blitzed, hitting Beavers quarterback Sean Canfield as he released the ball. The ball fell for an incomplete pass, but Purvis was called for interference.

An argument could be made that the ball was uncatchable and no flag should have been thrown, but Purvis could have taken the decision out of the officials’ hands by staying away from wide receiver Damola Adeniji.

“I just made a bad play,” Purvis said. “If you want to criticize the referee, you can put it on me.”

UNLV’s defense, which otherwise played well, still could have kept the Beavers out of field-goal range. But Oregon State picked up three more first downs.

UNLV had rallied after trailing 20-7 in the fourth quarter after backup quarterback Mike Clausen replaced Omar Clayton, who injured a knee.

The early indication was that Clayton’s knee should be OK. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 170 yards, with a touchdown and interception.

Clausen led two touchdown drives, completing scoring passes to wide receiver Rodelin Anthony and Phillip Payne. The last one, a 10-yard fade to Payne, put UNLV ahead 21-20 with 4:16 left.

“Mike Clausen came in and did a tremendous job coming off the bench,” Sanford said. “That is the reason we played him in the first game, so he could come in and everybody wouldn’t miss a beat with him.”

Clausen, who completed 6 of 9 passes for 58 yards, wasn’t in the mood to celebrate his performance.

“It’s not a good feeling in the locker room knowing what could’ve been tonight,” Clausen said. “I think it definitely drives us to prepare better and be ready for next week.”

UNLV struggled to run, gaining just 82 yards. Tailback Channing Trotter led with 35 yards on 11 carries.

Oregon State star tailback Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. He also caught 10 passes for 65 yards.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.