.Maximum Olson, ESPN Team WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Large 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the Educational Institution of NebraskaLAS LAS VEGA-- UNLV created a declaration Sunday in its first video game without past beginning quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually heading to be just fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 draw Fresno State and relocating to 4-0, UNLV confirmed it'll be actually a contender in the Mountain range West race regardless of its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 182 backyards, rushed for 119 backyards as well as represented 4 total goals in his 1st start for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave the program on Wednesday over a disagreement regarding his NIL remuneration." It was actually service customarily," UNLV coach Barry Odom pointed out. "Our experts have actually obtained an extremely fully grown group. ... Our players, our experts've received strong leadership. They recognize the mission that our team perform and they received it carried out." Williams, a sixth-year elderly and also FCS transfer from Campbell, participated in the Rebels in January and also shed a close competition with Sluka in fall camp. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 games at Campbell, leaving behind as the course's job leader in passing gardens and also goals, and awaited his opportunity." I thought he worked, I presumed he was actually efficient," Odom said. "I presumed the annoying line did a remarkable work safeguarding him. I presumed the receivers managed fantastic routes. I presumed the runners managed hard. We played well as an outburst." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels with a season-high 10 catches for 127 backyards and also two touchdowns and mentioned the quarterback adjustment was actually "definitely suitable for us."" He's merely a great quarterback that us, as an outburst, our company can rally behind and just go by his pace," White said.After starting 3 games for UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt and also is counted on to get into the move gateway in December. Sluka's papa as well as broker have actually alleged he was vocally promised $100,000 through UNLV offending planner Brennan Marion throughout his recruitment however obtained only $3,000 from the school's NIL aggregate. UNLV claimed in a declaration that Sluka's agents made monetary needs for him to keep playing that it took "an offense of NCAA pay-for-play policies, along with Nevada condition rule." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedOdom read from an equipped claim in the course of his postgame press conference and carried out not take inquiries regarding Sluka. He mentioned UNLV adhered to appropriate regulations and is actually dedicated to the growth and success of every player in the program." A lot of have conveyed quite strong opinions concerning the occasions of recently without full understanding of the truths, without total knowledge of the occasions of last week and also without full understanding of the rules in the ever-changing, evolving NIL system," Odom stated. "As well as sadly, some have even utilized this circumstance as a system for their very own agendas. I value every person's right to a viewpoint, and I will not talk about others' viewpoints or their motivations for expressing them." White also possessed an information for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas online casino shared passion in providing $100,000 to always keep Sluka on the crew, informing the Sin city Review-Journal that doing so will deserve it "to always keep the Rebels' playoff wishes alive."" I would certainly inquire that a person connect to the Circa chief executive officer as well as inquire him, keeping that $100,000 that he desired to contribute, inflict our O-line satisfy," White said.The Rebels popped a six-game losing touch versus Fresno Condition and accomplished the program's 1st 4-0 beginning since 1976 along with a powerful time in every 3 stages of the game. Their protection made four interceptions and also 4 sacks while enabling merely 30 rushing lawns, and also their exclusive teams delivered a blocked punting that White came back for a goal in the initial fourth plus a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown through Jai'Den Thomas in the 4th quarter.The triumph always keeps UNLV in the race for the broadened 12-team University Soccer Playoff and ends a turbulent week for an athletic department that was actually concurrently managing the latest round of conference adjustment in college athletics.UNLV formally chose to stay in the Mountain range West on Thursday, rejecting a transfer to the Pac-12 complying with that game's add-on of Boise Condition, Colorado Condition, Fresno Condition, San Diego Condition and Utah Condition for 2026. The 7 continuing to be universities in the Mountain range West accepted a grant of liberties that are going to tie all of them to the association through 2031-32. After presently beating Big 12 participants Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV acquires one more chance to remove an Electrical power 4 opponent as well as enhance its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it hosts 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our individuals are going to flip the web page really promptly," Odom claimed. "I can say to in the closet area our company're ready to accomplish that and jump on to the upcoming activity.".