.Max Olson, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Big 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV brought in a statement Saturday in its 1st game without former beginning quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually visiting be actually only fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 sway Fresno Condition and also moving to 4-0, UNLV verified it'll be a challenger in the Hill West race irrespective of its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 gardens, hurried for 119 backyards and made up four complete goals in his 1st start for the Rebels after Sluka chose to leave behind the program on Wednesday over an issue about his NIL compensation." It was actually service as usual," UNLV trainer Barry Odom stated. "Our experts've obtained an extremely fully grown staff. ... Our players, our team've obtained tough management. They know the purpose that we're on and they obtained it done." Williams, a sixth-year elderly and FCS transfer coming from Campbell, participated in the Rebels in January and dropped a close competitors with Sluka in loss camp. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 video games at Campbell, leaving behind as the course's job innovator in passing yards as well as goals, and was ready for his possibility." I believed he was effective, I thought he was actually dependable," Odom pointed out. "I presumed the annoying line did an enormous work securing him. I presumed the receivers ran great options. I assumed the distance runners operated hard. We played properly as an offense." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels with a season-high 10 drawbacks for 127 lawns and also two touchdowns as well as stated the quarterback change was "definitely great for us."" He is actually simply an excellent quarterback that us, as an offense, we may move behind as well as only pass his speed," White said.After beginning three games for UNLV, Sluka chose to redshirt and also is counted on to enter into the transfer gateway in December. Sluka's father as well as representative have affirmed he was actually vocally assured $100,000 through UNLV outrageous organizer Brennan Marion during the course of his recruitment however obtained simply $3,000 from the institution's NIL cumulative. UNLV pointed out in a claim that Sluka's representatives created monetary requirements for him to maintain participating in that it interpreted as "an infraction of NCAA pay-for-play guidelines, in addition to Nevada state legislation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom checked out coming from a ready declaration throughout his postgame press conference and performed certainly not take inquiries relating to Sluka. He pointed out UNLV adhered to suitable guidelines and also is actually devoted to the development and also effectiveness of every gamer in the program." A lot of have expressed quite tough point of views about the activities of last week without full knowledge of the simple facts, without total know-how of the occasions of recently and without complete knowledge of the regulation in the ever-changing, advancing NIL unit," Odom mentioned. "And also unfortunately, some have actually even used this situation as a system for their own agendas. I respect everyone's right to an opinion, and I won't talk about others' opinions or their inspirations for conveying them." White likewise possessed a notification for Circa Sports Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas online casino showed rate of interest in providing $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the team, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal that doing so will cost it "to maintain the Rebels' playoff really hopes alive."" I would talk to that someone connect to the Circa CEO as well as ask him, keeping that $100,000 that he desired to give, inflict our O-line please," White said.The Rebels broke a six-game losing streak against Fresno Condition and also achieved the course's 1st 4-0 beginning given that 1976 with a powerful day with all 3 periods of the video game. Their self defense produced 4 interceptions and also four sacks while permitting simply 30 rushing gardens, as well as their exclusive crews delivered an obstructed punt that White returned for a touchdown in the very first one-fourth plus a 90-yard first gain goal by Jai'Den Thomas in the 4th quarter.The success always keeps UNLV in the race for the expanded 12-team University Regulation football Playoff as well as concludes a chaotic full week for a sports division that was actually simultaneously managing the latest sphere of conference adjustment in college athletics.UNLV officially determined to stay in the Mountain West on Thursday, turning down a move to the Pac-12 observing that league's add-on of Boise Condition, Colorado State, Fresno Condition, San Diego State and also Utah State for 2026. The seven remaining universities in the Mountain West accepted to a give of civil liberties that will certainly bind them to the association with 2031-32. After actually defeating Large 12 members Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV acquires another opportunity to take down a Power 4 rival and also enhance its CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it hosts 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our fellas will flip the web page actually swiftly," Odom mentioned. "I might inform in the storage locker area our team're ready to perform that and climb on to the following game.".