Beavers survive war in the wind.

Byline: The Register-Guard

LAS VEGAS - Oregon State barely survived itself Saturday night.

After a slew of misplays that allowed UNLV to overcome a 13-point deficit with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, the Beavers escaped Sam Boyd Stadium with a 23-21 victory when Justin Kahut kicked a 33-yard field goal into a driving wind with seven seconds left in the game.

"I felt really comfortable, confident I could make it," said Kahut, who had earlier missed a field goal and an extra point. "I'm so thankful (the coaches) gave me the opportunity."

It was similar to a situation last season at Arizona, when a missed point after by Kahut was overcome with a game-ending field goal as the Beavers rallied past the Wildcats.

"That is a major league kick in a tough wind a especially after those two misses," OSU coach Mike Riley said.

The winning drive was kept alive when UNLV was called for pass interference after an OSU incomplete pass on a third-and-26 play with less than three minutes left, giving the Beavers a first down at their own 30-yard line.

Canfield, who completed 25-of-31 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, later hooked up with former South Eugene standout Damola Adeniji for a 13-yard gain on third down when the Beavers needed eight yards, and then passed 23 yards to Jordan Bishop and 13 yards to Quizz Rodgers to set up the winning kick.

The Beavers are thus 2-0 for the first time in five seasons as they won their road opener for the first time since 2002 and set up a matchup next Saturday at Reser Stadium with 23rd-ranked Cincinnati.

Despite twice taking 13-point leads in the second half, the Beavers had to come from behind after UNLV backup quarterback Mike Clausen passed 10 yards to Phillip Payne for a touchdown with 4:16 left and the Rebels successfully converted the point after for a 21-20 lead.

OSU twice was penalized for illegal substitutions in the fourth quarter, and the Beavers squandered critical seconds on a final drive before using their final timeouts on consecutive plays before Kahut's attempt.

Beyond that, a defense that came up with two early turnovers couldn't stop the Rebels in key situations throughout the second half.

And the offense that scored on three consecutive drives then added nothing on the Beavers' next three drives before a penalty and Canfield's passing on the final drive set up the winning kick.

Rodgers rushed 26 times for 166 yards and a touchdown for the Beavers, including gains of 45 and 46 yards on OSU touchdown drives in the third quarter.

He also caught 10 passes for 65 yards.

Oregon State 23, UNLV 21

Oregon St. 0 6 14 3 -23

UNLV 0 0 7 14 -21

Second Quarter

OrSt-Camp 1 pass from Canfield (kick failed), 1:04.

Third Quarter

OrSt-Jac.Rodgers 2 run (Kahut kick), 13:07.

UNLV-Anthony 19 pass from Clayton (Watson kick), 10:42.

OrSt-Jam.Rodgers 4 pass from Canfield (Kahut kick), 7:17.

Fourth Quarter

UNLV-Anthony 13 pass from Clausen (Waterman kick), 10:53.

UNLV-Payne 10 pass from Clausen (Watson kick), 4:16.

OrSt-FG Kahut 33, :07.

A-25,967.

OSU UNLV

First downs 20 19

Rushes-yards 35-184 25-82

Passing 198 228

Comp-Att-Int 25-31-0 24-35-1

Return Yards 0 0

Punts-Avg. 4-43.3 3-33.3

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-1

Penalties-Yards 8-56 4-41

Time of Possession 33:03 26:57

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - Oregon St., Jac.Rodgers 26-166, Stevenson 2-28, Jam.Rodgers 3-16, Canfield 4-(minus 26). UNLV, Trotter 11-35, Clausen 4-25, Johnson 4-16, Brogdon 1-9, Clayton 5-(minus 3).

PASSING - Oregon St., Canfield 25-31-0-198. UNLV, Clayton 18-26-1-170, Clausen 6-9-0-58.

RECEIVING - Oregon St., Jac.Rodgers 10-65, Jam.Rodgers 6-48, Bishop 5-43, Adeniji 2-26, Kjos 1-15, Camp 1-1. UNLV, Wolfe 9-91, Payne 6-46, Anthony 5-57, Trotter 2-12, Barefield 1-13.