The Day After: Clayton turning into Mr. Efficiency

By Ryan Greene

Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 | 2:44 a.m.

While the legend of UNLV freshman receiver Phillip Payne seemingly continues to grow each week, it's easy to forget just who is on the other end.

In fact, it's one of the nation's most efficient quarterbacks. Need proof? Check the numbers.

Through four games, Rebel sophomore QB Omar Clayton is 70-of-111 for 777 yards, nine touchdown passes and - the most impressive stat of all - zero interceptions.

Along with North Texas' Giovani Vizza, Wake Forest's Riley Skinner, Duke's Thaddeus Lewis and Georgia's Matthew Stafford, he's one of five FBS quarterbacks who have yet to throw a pick while attempting at least 100 throws so far this year.

"I've been very impressed with how he's played and how efficient he's been," said UNLV coach Mike Sanford. "I'm very pleased, but ever since he's got the job, he's been really good. He's been a different guy since he was named the starting quarterback. He knows where to go with the football."

Clayton's quarterback rating of 148.62 ranks 30th in the nation, which may not sound all that impressive, but it is considering the freshman numbers he entered this season building off of. He's already attempted 16 more passes this year than he did in seven games a year ago (three of which he started), and his passer rating is nearly 30 points higher as a sophomore.

Opposing defenses may start taking more notice. Saturday night, in a 34-31 overtime win against Iowa State, Clayton proved to be a legitimate weapon, completing 15 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for another in the first quarter.

(Sidenote: Of course, it would be irresponsible to include the fact that on an overthrown pass down the seam to Payne in the first half, ISU's Brandon Hunley dropped an open would-be interception)

Sanford said a big part of what's making everything work right now is that Clayton is just working within what the defense is offering. In recent weeks, that's been throws over the middle, mostly to Ryan Wolfe (who has 29 grabs this season, tied for ninth in the FBS ranks). Payne has also made sure to point out that on the fade patterns-turned touchdowns, which have accounted for five scores so far this season, most of the credit should be going to Clayton, who has consistently made the correct decision in terms of which shoulder to throw the ball to.

This is nice, and all. But what happens when Clayton throws a pick this year? You know, has to return to the sidelines after turning the ball over? Sanford isn't too worried about it, and with good reason.

"I feel like he's had adversity within games up to now and handled it well," he said. "You look at the Utah game, look at parts of the game (against ISU). Really in reality, the game against Arizona State there was some adversity in there.

"It makes me worry less that he's gonna have a meltdown."

Notes: The Rebels did not receive any votes in the two Top-25 polls released Sunday evening. One could argue that a win over Nevada-Reno might draw at least a couple of tallies. Three Mountain West Teams - BYU, Utah and TCU - landed in each poll ... The Rebels potential participation in one of college football's 4,368 bowl games is gaining some mention. ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach and Bruce Feldman each included the Rebels in their Week Four bowl projections. Schlabach placed UNLV in the New Mexico Bowl, facing Louisiana Tech. Feldman put UNLV in the Poinsettia Bowl against UConn (It's worth pointing out that a Poinsettia Bowl official was on hand to take in Saturday's game at Sam Boyd Stadium.