Rebels stun Sun Devils in overtime

September 13, 2008

UNLV's Malo Taumua blocked a field goal to lift the Rebels to a 23-20 overtime upset of No. 15 Arizona State on Saturday night. Taumua's block on a 35-yard field goal attempt by <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/weber_thomas00.html">T… Weber</a> came after Kyle Watson kicked a 20-yard field goal on the Rebels' overtime possession. UNLV (2-1) tied it at 20 with 18 seconds left on Omar Clayton's 8-yard touchdown pass to Phillip Payne, who made a leaping one-handed grab. The spectacular play capped a 10-play, 74-yard drive that lasted 2:45, with Clayton 6-of-8 passes for 70 yards. For the Sun Devils (2-1), this was supposed to be a tuneup for next week's long-awaited game against No. 2 Georgia. But they let the Rebels hang around for too long. Arizona State looked safe when <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/carpenter_rudy00.html"… Carpenter</a> hit <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/williams_kyle00.html">… Williams</a> for a 49-yard touchdown pass to put ASU ahead 20-10 early in the third quarter. Late in the second quarter, however, the Rebels fought back. Carpenter threw an interception to UNLV defensive back Beau Orth, who returned it 9 yards to Arizona State 7. Three plays later, Clayton threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Payne, who outleaped cornerback <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bolden_omar00.html">Om… Bolden</a> in the end zone with 33 seconds to play.<separator></separator>The Sun Devils responded with a quick four-play, 33-yard drive capped by Weber's 49-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, giving ASU a 13-10 halftime lead. Arizona State moved the ball easily on its first drive but stalled near the Rebels' goal line. ASU had first-and-goal at the UNLV 9, but gained only 6 yards and had to settle for a 20-yard field goal by Weber. On its next drive, Arizona State gave up back-to-back sacks to a team that had one sack through the first two games. The Rebels tied it at 3-3 on a 44-yard field goal by Watson midway through the second quarter. Clayton completed 19-of-31 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns for UNLV. Carpenter finished 13-of-23 for 242 yards and two touchdowns, and he was intercepted once. The Sun Devils return to action to face No. 2 Georgia on Sunday, September 20 in Tempe, Arizona.