.Max Olson, ESPN Workers WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Major 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV brought in a statement Saturday in its own 1st video game without past starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually visiting be actually only fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 gain Fresno State as well as transferring to 4-0, UNLV confirmed it'll be a challenger in the Mountain West race irrespective of its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 182 backyards, rushed for 119 yards as well as made up four total goals in his first start for the Rebels after Sluka decided to leave behind the program on Wednesday over a dispute regarding his NIL compensation." It was actually business customarily," UNLV instructor Barry Odom mentioned. "Our company have actually acquired an incredibly mature crew. ... Our gamers, our team have actually got tough leadership. They comprehend the purpose that we're on as well as they acquired it done." Williams, a sixth-year senior and also FCS move from Campbell, joined the Rebels in January and dropped a close competition with Sluka in autumn camp. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 activities at Campbell, leaving behind as the course's profession forerunner in passing yards and touchdowns, and also was ready for his opportunity." I presumed he worked, I assumed he was reliable," Odom pointed out. "I thought the objectionable line carried out a remarkable task protecting him. I assumed the recipients operated great paths. I thought the runners ran hard. Our company played properly as an outburst." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 catches for 127 gardens and also pair of touchdowns and pointed out the quarterback modification was actually "definitely great for our company."" He's just a wonderful quarterback that us, as an offense, our team can rally at the back of as well as just pass his rate," White said.After beginning three ready UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt as well as is actually counted on to get in the transactions website in December. Sluka's papa as well as broker have actually affirmed he was actually verbally vowed $100,000 through UNLV outrageous coordinator Brennan Marion during the course of his employment yet got simply $3,000 coming from the school's NIL aggregate. UNLV said in a declaration that Sluka's agents created economic requirements for him to maintain participating in that it interpreted as "a violation of NCAA pay-for-play rules, in addition to Nevada state law." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedOdom gone through from a ready statement during his postgame news conference and performed certainly not take questions concerning Sluka. He mentioned UNLV adhered to appropriate guidelines as well as is dedicated to the advancement and effectiveness of every player in the system." Several have actually revealed quite powerful viewpoints regarding the celebrations of recently without complete know-how of the simple facts, without total know-how of the occasions of recently and without total know-how of the rules in the ever-changing, developing NIL system," Odom said. "And also regrettably, some have actually even used this condition as a system for their very own schedules. I value everyone's right to a viewpoint, and I will not discuss others' opinions or even their motivations for conveying them." White additionally had a notification for Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens after the Las vega gambling enterprise conveyed interest in using $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the team, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal that doing so would cost it "to keep the Rebels' playoff wishes active."" I will inquire that somebody communicate to the Circa CEO as well as inquire him, with that said $100,000 that he intended to contribute, give it to our O-line satisfy," White said.The Rebels snapped a six-game losing touch against Fresno State as well as achieved the system's very first 4-0 beginning because 1976 with a strong time in all 3 stages of the activity. Their self defense produced four interceptions and 4 sacks while enabling only 30 hurrying yards, as well as their exclusive staffs provided a blocked punt that White came back for a touchdown in the initial fourth plus a 90-yard kickoff profit touchdown by Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The triumph maintains UNLV in the race for the expanded 12-team University Regulation football Playoff and concludes a chaotic full week for an athletic team that was actually concurrently coping with the most up to date around of conference realignment in university athletics.UNLV formally made a decision to remain in the Mountain range West on Thursday, rejecting a relocate to the Pac-12 adhering to that league's enhancement of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego Condition as well as Utah Condition for 2026. The seven continuing to be colleges in the Mountain range West agreed to a grant of legal rights that will certainly tie them to the conference through 2031-32. After currently defeating Big 12 members Houston and Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV receives one more possibility to take down a Power 4 opponent and reinforce its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it organizes 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our people will definitely flip the webpage really swiftly," Odom stated. "I can say to in the closet room our experts're ready to carry out that and get on to the next game.".