LAS VEGAS — It's a play UNLV inevitably runs when it needs a touchdown.

Omar Clayton just throws the ball up in the vicinity of 6-foot-3 wide receiver Phillip Payne and hopes the sophomore can come down with the ball.

He usually does.

"We practice it all the time," Payne said. "Me and Omar basically know where we're going to be and at what time."

Even if Hawai'i hadn't seen the play on game film, it no doubt saw the Rebels run it earlier in the game.

It went for a touchdown in the third quarter, and then worked again on the game-winning score with 36 seconds left in the Rebels' 34-33 victory.

Hawai'i coach Greg McMackin said he was well aware of UNLV's propensity to throw the fade pass to Payne.

"That guy does a great job," McMackin said. "He did it against Oregon State (last week). He just goes up and they throw him an alley-oop."

Still, the Warriors left 5-foot-9 junior cornerback Tank Hopkins in single coverage on Payne on the decisive play.

"Yeah, it's a mismatch," McMackin admitted. "But we had a full-out blitz and hit him (Clayton) the two (plays) before."

Clayton had been sacked on the previous play by defensive end Jake Heun, forcing the Rebels into a second-and-goal play from the 15-yard line.

The Warriors again tried to bring pressure, but Clayton got the throw off before the rush got to him.

"Maybe we went to the well one too many times, but we were trying to get him," McMackin said.

The coach added that Hopkins was in good position to make the play.

"He was there and (Payne) just outplayed him," McMackin said. "The receiver just went up and got the ball. He's a great receiver."

Clayton said he was surprised at the way Hawai'i defended on the play.

"I was a little surprised they didn't have the safety over," said the junior quarterback, who threw for a career-high 340 yards. "A lot of teams in the red zone like to put the safety over to double-team Phillip, but they didn't. So, I saw an opportunity to put the ball up to him and he did what he does."

Payne said he and Clayton didn't switch to the play at the line because they recognized single coverage. It just so happened that the coaches called the right play at the right time.

"They just have faith in me and Omar and we try to do it the best we can," Payne said. "I'm just glad I get to make a play when I can."

Payne finished with eight catches for 94 yards and the two scores.