.Max Olson, ESPN Team WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Significant 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the Educational Institution of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV made a declaration Saturday in its very first video game without past starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually going to be actually simply fine.Rolling to a leading 59-14 draw Fresno Condition as well as transferring to 4-0, UNLV proved it'll be a contender in the Mountain West race no matter its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 yards, hurried for 119 gardens as well as accounted for 4 complete goals in his initial start for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave behind the course on Wednesday over an issue regarding his NIL payment." It was company customarily," UNLV coach Barry Odom said. "We have actually acquired an incredibly mature team. ... Our players, our team have actually acquired solid leadership. They understand the mission that we get on as well as they got it done." Williams, a sixth-year elderly and FCS transactions from Campbell, joined the Rebels in January and also dropped a near competition along with Sluka in autumn camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 video games at Campbell, leaving as the program's occupation leader in passing gardens as well as goals, and was ready for his chance." I assumed he was effective, I assumed he was dependable," Odom mentioned. "I thought the annoying line carried out an enormous work safeguarding him. I presumed the receivers ran fantastic courses. I presumed the runners operated hard. Our team participated in properly as an outburst." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 catches for 127 backyards and pair of touchdowns as well as pointed out the quarterback modification was actually "most definitely good for us."" He is actually only a great quarterback that our company, as an outburst, our experts may move behind as well as only go by his speed," White said.After starting 3 ready UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt as well as is counted on to get in the move website in December. Sluka's father and representative have affirmed he was actually verbally promised $100,000 by UNLV objectionable coordinator Brennan Marion during the course of his recruitment but got only $3,000 coming from the college's NIL cumulative. UNLV stated in a declaration that Sluka's agents created financial needs for him to maintain playing that it interpreted as "a transgression of NCAA pay-for-play guidelines, as well as Nevada condition regulation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom read through from an equipped statement in the course of his postgame press conference as well as carried out not take questions regarding Sluka. He stated UNLV abided by applicable rules and also is actually devoted to the growth and effectiveness of every player in the program." Numerous have expressed quite powerful point of views regarding the occasions of last week without full expertise of the truths, without total understanding of the activities of recently and also without complete knowledge of the regulation in the ever-changing, growing NIL device," Odom said. "And also sadly, some have also used this circumstance as a system for their own agendas. I respect every person's right to a point of view, as well as I won't discuss others' point of views or even their inspirations for showing them." White additionally possessed an information for Circa Athletics CEO Derek Stevens after the Vegas casino site showed passion in providing $100,000 to keep Sluka on the crew, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal that doing so will be worth it "to always keep the Rebels' playoff hopes active."" I would certainly talk to that somebody communicate to the Circa chief executive officer and inquire him, keeping that $100,000 that he desired to give away, give it to our O-line satisfy," White said.The Rebels popped a six-game losing streak versus Fresno Condition as well as obtained the program's initial 4-0 start given that 1976 with a powerful time with all three phases of the video game. Their protection produced 4 interceptions and 4 sacks while making it possible for only 30 rushing backyards, and their exclusive crews delivered a shut out punting that White came back for a goal in the initial one-fourth plus a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown by Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The victory maintains UNLV in the race for the broadened 12-team College Soccer Playoff as well as wraps up a disorderly full week for an athletic department that was concurrently dealing with the most up to date sphere of association adjustment in college athletics.UNLV formally made a decision to continue to be in the Mountain range West on Thursday, declining a transfer to the Pac-12 observing that game's addition of Boise Condition, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego Condition and also Utah Condition for 2026. The 7 remaining institutions in the Mountain range West accepted to a grant of rights that are going to bind them to the conference with 2031-32. After presently defeating Significant 12 members Houston as well as Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV gets another opportunity to remove an Energy 4 opponent and also strengthen its CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it organizes 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our guys will definitely flip the webpage truly quickly," Odom mentioned. "I could inform in the closet room our experts prepare to accomplish that and jump on to the following activity.".