.Max Olson, ESPN Staff 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 own very first video game without past starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually heading to be actually only fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 draw Fresno State and also relocating to 4-0, UNLV verified it'll be actually a competitor in the Hill West race irrespective of its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 backyards, hurried for 119 lawns and represented four total touchdowns in his very first beginning for the Rebels after Sluka chose to leave behind the program on Wednesday over a disagreement about his NIL remuneration." It was actually company customarily," UNLV instructor Barry Odom mentioned. "Our experts've obtained an extremely mature team. ... Our players, our company have actually acquired sturdy leadership. They comprehend the objective that our team're on and also they got it done." Williams, a sixth-year senior as well as FCS transactions coming from Campbell, signed up with the Rebels in January as well as lost a near competition with Sluka in fall camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 activities at Campbell, leaving as the plan's job leader in passing gardens as well as touchdowns, and awaited his option." I believed he worked, I assumed he was reliable," Odom said. "I assumed the outrageous line carried out an enormous job safeguarding him. I presumed the recipients ran excellent paths. I assumed the runners managed hard. Our team played effectively as an offense." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels with a season-high 10 catches for 127 gardens and two touchdowns and said the quarterback modification was actually "certainly helpful for our company."" He's simply a great quarterback that our team, as an offense, our team can move at the rear of and also only pass his rate," White said.After beginning 3 ready UNLV, Sluka opted to redshirt and is counted on to go into the transfer website in December. Sluka's dad and also agent have affirmed he was actually verbally assured $100,000 through UNLV objectionable coordinator Brennan Marion during the course of his employment however obtained just $3,000 coming from the university's NIL collective. UNLV said in a declaration that Sluka's reps made financial needs for him to keep playing that it took "an offense of NCAA pay-for-play regulations, in addition to Nevada state law." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedOdom reviewed from a well prepared claim during his postgame news conference as well as carried out not take inquiries concerning Sluka. He claimed UNLV followed applicable guidelines and is actually devoted to the development and also results of every player in the system." A lot of have shared quite tough point of views about the events of recently without complete know-how of the realities, without full understanding of the activities of recently as well as without complete understanding of the rules in the ever-changing, evolving NIL unit," Odom pointed out. "And unfortunately, some have also utilized this scenario as a platform for their own programs. I value everybody's right to a viewpoint, as well as I won't comment on others' opinions or even their inspirations for sharing them." White additionally possessed a message for Circa Sports Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas online casino revealed enthusiasm in providing $100,000 to always keep Sluka on the team, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal that doing so will deserve it "to maintain the Rebels' playoff hopes alive."" I would ask that somebody communicate to the Circa CEO as well as inquire him, with that said $100,000 that he desired to give, give it to our O-line satisfy," White said.The Rebels broke a six-game losing touch versus Fresno State as well as obtained the program's very first 4-0 begin considering that 1976 along with a powerful time in every three periods of the game. Their protection created 4 interceptions and also 4 sacks while making it possible for simply 30 rushing yards, as well as their exclusive crews supplied a blocked punting that White came back for a goal in the very first quarter plus a 90-yard first profit touchdown by Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The triumph maintains UNLV in the competition for the extended 12-team College Regulation football Playoff and concludes a turbulent full week for an athletic department that was concurrently handling the current round of association adjustment in college athletics.UNLV formally decided to stay in the Mountain West on Thursday, disapproving a relocate to the Pac-12 observing that league's add-on of Boise Condition, Colorado Condition, Fresno State, San Diego Condition and Utah Condition for 2026. The seven continuing to be institutions in the Mountain West agreed to a grant of civil liberties that are going to tie all of them to the conference with 2031-32. After actually beating Big 12 members Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV acquires another opportunity to take down an Electrical power 4 challenger and also strengthen its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it organizes 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our fellas will definitely flip the webpage definitely swiftly," Odom claimed. "I could possibly inform in the closet room our experts prepare to perform that and get on to the next video game.".