.Max Olson, ESPN Workers WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Big 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the College of NebraskaLAS LAS VEGA-- UNLV made a declaration Saturday in its initial game without past beginning quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually mosting likely to be actually only fine.Rolling to a prevalent 59-14 sway Fresno State as well as moving to 4-0, UNLV confirmed it'll be actually a challenger in the Hill West race regardless of its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 gardens, hurried for 119 backyards and also made up four complete touchdowns in his very first begin for the Rebels after Sluka decided to leave behind the course on Wednesday over a disagreement concerning his NIL settlement." It was company customarily," UNLV train Barry Odom claimed. "Our company have actually got an incredibly mature staff. ... Our gamers, our experts've acquired strong leadership. They comprehend the goal that our company perform as well as they acquired it performed." Williams, a sixth-year elderly and FCS transfer from Campbell, joined the Rebels in January as well as shed a near competitors along with Sluka in loss camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 activities at Campbell, leaving as the program's occupation forerunner in passing yards as well as touchdowns, and also was ready for his possibility." I thought he worked, I believed he was actually dependable," Odom pointed out. "I assumed the annoying line performed a remarkable job protecting him. I presumed the recipients managed excellent options. I assumed the runners ran hard. Our company participated in effectively as an outburst." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 drawbacks for 127 backyards as well as pair of touchdowns as well as mentioned the quarterback modification was actually "absolutely great for our team."" He's only an excellent quarterback that our company, as an offense, we may move at the rear of and also only go by his speed," White said.After beginning three games for UNLV, Sluka chose to redshirt and also is actually expected to get into the transactions gateway in December. Sluka's daddy and also agent have actually alleged he was verbally guaranteed $100,000 by UNLV repulsive coordinator Brennan Marion during the course of his recruitment yet obtained just $3,000 from the school's NIL cumulative. UNLV pointed out in a claim that Sluka's reps created financial demands for him to keep playing that it took "an offense of NCAA pay-for-play guidelines, as well as Nevada state legislation." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedOdom gone through coming from an equipped claim during his postgame press conference and carried out not take questions pertaining to Sluka. He stated UNLV followed relevant policies and is devoted to the development and results of every gamer in the plan." A lot of have conveyed extremely solid viewpoints regarding the activities of recently without full understanding of the simple facts, without total understanding of the events of recently as well as without complete expertise of the rules in the ever-changing, developing NIL system," Odom mentioned. "And regrettably, some have actually even utilized this instance as a system for their personal schedules. I recognize everybody's right to a viewpoint, and I will not comment on others' viewpoints or their inspirations for revealing all of them." White additionally had an information for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Las vega casino site revealed passion in offering $100,000 to keep Sluka on the team, informing the Las Vegas Review-Journal that doing this will be worth it "to keep the Rebels' playoff wishes to life."" I will ask that someone communicate to the Circa chief executive officer as well as inquire him, keeping that $100,000 that he wished to give away, give it to our O-line feel free to," White said.The Rebels popped a six-game losing streak versus Fresno Condition and achieved the program's initial 4-0 start since 1976 along with a solid day in all 3 stages of the game. Their self defense created 4 interceptions as well as 4 sacks while permitting just 30 rushing gardens, as well as their exclusive crews supplied a blocked out punting that White came back for a touchdown in the first one-fourth plus a 90-yard kickoff gain touchdown through Jai'Den Thomas in the 4th quarter.The triumph keeps UNLV in the race for the extended 12-team University Football Playoff and concludes a chaotic week for an athletic team that was actually all at once managing the most recent round of conference realignment in college athletics.UNLV officially made a decision to remain in the Mountain West on Thursday, disapproving a move to the Pac-12 adhering to that game's enhancement of Boise Condition, Colorado Condition, Fresno State, San Diego State and also Utah State for 2026. The seven continuing to be universities in the Mountain West consented to a give of civil liberties that will certainly bind all of them to the association with 2031-32. After currently defeating Huge 12 participants Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV receives one more chance to take down an Electrical power 4 opponent and also reinforce its CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it holds 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our men will flip the web page truly promptly," Odom stated. "I could possibly tell in the locker space our team're ready to perform that and also jump on to the next game.".