Beasley, Hicks power UNLV past Clemson 37–28 in Pop-Tarts Bowl
Orlando, FL -- Big performances from tight end
Jae Beasley II and freshman running back
Josh Hicks carried #16 UNLV to a comeback 37–28 victory over #20 Clemson in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Thursday at Camping World Stadium.
While sophomore quarterback
Treston McMillan earned Player of the Game honors after throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns, the Rebels’ offense was driven by breakout performances from Beasley and Hicks, who repeatedly made big plays as UNLV erased a double-digit deficit in the second half.
Beasley turned in the best game of his career, finishing with 12 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns, becoming McMillan’s most reliable target all afternoon. His first score came early in the second quarter when McMillan found him for a 2-yard touchdown that extended UNLV’s early lead to 14–0.
Clemson, however, responded with a strong stretch before halftime. Heisman trophy winning Quarterback
Christopher Vizzina threw two touchdown passes and running back
David Eziomume added another score as the Tigers rallied with 21 unanswered points to take a lead into the locker room.
The Tigers pushed the lead to 28–14 early in the third quarter when Eziomume broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run, putting UNLV in danger of falling behind for good.
Instead, the Rebels responded with their best stretch of the afternoon.
Running back
Richard Rusnak cut into the deficit with a 6-yard touchdown run, setting the stage for Beasley’s second trip to the end zone. With just seconds remaining in the third quarter, McMillan hit the tight end again — this time on a 9-yard touchdown pass — tying the game at 28–28 and completing Beasley’s breakout performance.
While Beasley dominated through the air, Hicks took over on the ground.
The true freshman piled up 141 rushing yards, with the majority coming in the second half as Kamran Williams was sidelined with an injury. UNLV leaned on the run game to wear down Clemson’s defense.
The Rebels seized control early in the fourth quarter when their defense forced a safety, giving UNLV a 30–28 lead.
Moments later, Hicks delivered the biggest play of the game.
Taking a hand off with a crease up the middle, the freshman burst through the line and raced 34 yards for a touchdown, stretching the Rebels’ lead and putting Clemson in a two-score hole.
The Tigers threatened late but could not find another breakthrough as UNLV’s defense held firm down the stretch.
What began as an offensive shootout ultimately turned on timely plays by the Rebels’ emerging play makers. Beasley dominated the middle of the field with a career day, while Hicks’ powerful second-half running helped close out the victory.
Together, their breakout performances lifted UNLV to a signature postseason win and sent the Rebels into the off-season with momentum after knocking off a ranked Clemson team.
PASSING LEADER
T. McMillan -- 31/43, 315 yds, 3 TD, 9 att, 20 yds
RUSHING LEADER
J. Hicks -- 15 att, 141 yds, 1 TD
RECEIVING LEADER
J. Beasley II -- 12 rec, 135 yds, 2 TD
PASSING LEADER
C. Vizzina -- 22/31, 229 yds, 2 TD, 3 att, 29 yds
RUSHING LEADER
D. Eziomume -- 4 att, 87 yds, 2 TD
RECEIVING LEADER
D. James -- 4 rec, 56 yds
