.Max Olson, ESPN Workers WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Major 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of NebraskaLAS LAS VEGA-- UNLV brought in a claim Sunday in its own 1st video game without past starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually mosting likely to be actually merely fine.Rolling to a leading 59-14 sway Fresno State as well as relocating to 4-0, UNLV confirmed it'll be actually an opponent in the Hill West race regardless of its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 182 lawns, hurried for 119 lawns and also made up four total touchdowns in his 1st start for the Rebels after Sluka chose to leave the course on Wednesday over an issue concerning his NIL payment." It was actually company as usual," UNLV instructor Barry Odom mentioned. "Our team have actually acquired an extremely mature crew. ... Our gamers, our company have actually obtained sturdy leadership. They understand the mission that our company're on as well as they acquired it carried out." Williams, a sixth-year senior and also FCS transmission from Campbell, participated in the Rebels in January and lost a near competitors with Sluka in autumn camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 video games at Campbell, leaving behind as the program's occupation forerunner in passing lawns and touchdowns, as well as was ready for his opportunity." I assumed he was effective, I assumed he was actually dependable," Odom stated. "I presumed the repulsive line carried out a remarkable task safeguarding him. I believed the recipients ran excellent options. I presumed the distance runners ran hard. Our experts played well as an outburst." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 catches for 127 gardens as well as two touchdowns and claimed the quarterback modification was "certainly suitable for us."" He is actually just a fantastic quarterback that our company, as an offense, we may rally at the back of as well as simply go by his rate," White said.After beginning three ready UNLV, Sluka chose to redshirt and is anticipated to go into the move gateway in December. Sluka's papa and representative have actually affirmed he was vocally promised $100,000 through UNLV objectionable organizer Brennan Marion during the course of his recruitment however got simply $3,000 coming from the university's NIL aggregate. UNLV said in a declaration that Sluka's representatives made economic demands for him to maintain playing that it took "a transgression of NCAA pay-for-play rules, and also Nevada condition regulation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom checked out coming from a ready statement in the course of his postgame news conference as well as did not take concerns regarding Sluka. He mentioned UNLV abided by applicable policies as well as is dedicated to the development as well as success of every player in the plan." Lots of have actually expressed quite sturdy opinions about the activities of recently without total knowledge of the simple facts, without complete know-how of the occasions of last week and without full knowledge of the regulation in the ever-changing, progressing NIL body," Odom said. "And also regrettably, some have actually even utilized this instance as a platform for their personal schedules. I value everybody's right to a viewpoint, and I won't comment on others' point of views or even their incentives for sharing all of them." White likewise had an information for Circa Athletics CEO Derek Stevens after the Vegas gambling establishment showed interest in delivering $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the team, saying to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that accomplishing this would certainly deserve it "to maintain the Rebels' playoff hopes to life."" I would certainly talk to that somebody communicate to the Circa chief executive officer and inquire him, keeping that $100,000 that he would like to give, give it to our O-line please," White said.The Rebels broke a six-game losing streak against Fresno State and also attained the system's first 4-0 begin since 1976 with a sturdy time in all three periods of the activity. Their protection produced 4 interceptions as well as 4 sacks while allowing merely 30 hurrying backyards, and also their exclusive teams provided a shut out punting that White came back for a goal in the first fourth plus a 90-yard first gain touchdown through Jai'Den Thomas in the 4th quarter.The triumph always keeps UNLV in the race for the expanded 12-team College Regulation football Playoff as well as wraps up a turbulent week for a sports division that was actually concurrently taking care of the most up to date sphere of conference adjustment in college athletics.UNLV officially made a decision to stay in the Mountain West on Thursday, turning down a relocate to the Pac-12 adhering to that organization's add-on of Boise Condition, Colorado State, Fresno Condition, San Diego State and also Utah State for 2026. The 7 continuing to be schools in the Mountain West accepted a grant of legal rights that are going to tie all of them to the conference with 2031-32. After presently defeating Huge 12 members Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV gets another opportunity to take down an Electrical power 4 rival and also enhance its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it organizes 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our people are going to turn the webpage definitely promptly," Odom said. "I might say to in the closet room our company prepare to carry out that and jump on to the next video game.".