.Maximum Olson, ESPN Staff WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Big 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV made a statement Sunday in its own first game without past starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are visiting be just fine.Rolling to a leading 59-14 sway Fresno Condition and also transferring to 4-0, UNLV verified it'll be a competitor in the Hill West race regardless of its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 gardens, rushed for 119 lawns and accounted for 4 overall goals in his first start for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave behind the plan on Wednesday over a disagreement about his NIL payment." It was actually service customarily," UNLV coach Barry Odom stated. "Our company've got a quite fully grown team. ... Our players, our experts have actually obtained powerful management. They recognize the mission that our experts're on and also they received it done." Williams, a sixth-year senior and FCS transfer from Campbell, signed up with the Rebels in January and also lost a near competitors along with Sluka in autumn camp. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 activities at Campbell, leaving as the course's occupation forerunner in passing gardens and touchdowns, as well as awaited his option." I thought he was effective, I presumed he was actually efficient," Odom said. "I thought the offensive line carried out an incredible task securing him. I presumed the receivers managed fantastic courses. I believed the distance runners ran hard. Our experts participated in properly as an outburst." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels with a season-high 10 catches for 127 backyards and 2 touchdowns as well as claimed the quarterback improvement was actually "absolutely great for our company."" He is actually merely a terrific quarterback that us, as an offense, our experts can rally behind and also merely go by his pace," White said.After beginning three games for UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt and is expected to enter the transactions site in December. Sluka's father and also agent have declared he was actually vocally assured $100,000 by UNLV objectionable organizer Brennan Marion during his recruitment however received only $3,000 coming from the school's NIL cumulative. UNLV mentioned in a statement that Sluka's reps created financial demands for him to always keep participating in that it took "a violation of NCAA pay-for-play regulations, and also Nevada condition rule." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedOdom gone through from a prepared statement in the course of his postgame press conference and did not take questions concerning Sluka. He stated UNLV observed appropriate policies and also is devoted to the development and also excellence of every player in the plan." Several have actually revealed extremely tough opinions concerning the activities of recently without total knowledge of the truths, without complete expertise of the occasions of last week and also without complete expertise of the rules in the ever-changing, evolving NIL body," Odom mentioned. "As well as regrettably, some have actually even utilized this instance as a platform for their personal agendas. I appreciate everyone's right to an opinion, as well as I will not talk about others' point of views or even their motivations for revealing them." White also had an information for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas gambling establishment revealed interest in providing $100,000 to always keep Sluka on the group, telling the Sin city Review-Journal that doing this will be worth it "to always keep the Rebels' playoff wishes to life."" I would talk to that a person connect to the Circa CEO as well as inquire him, with that said $100,000 that he intended to contribute, inflict our O-line satisfy," White said.The Rebels broke a six-game losing touch against Fresno Condition and attained the plan's 1st 4-0 start given that 1976 along with a sturdy time in each 3 stages of the game. Their self defense created 4 interceptions and also 4 sacks while making it possible for only 30 rushing yards, as well as their special groups delivered an obstructed punt that White returned for a goal in the 1st one-fourth plus a 90-yard kickoff return goal by Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The triumph always keeps UNLV in the race for the extended 12-team University Regulation football Playoff and wraps up a turbulent week for an athletic team that was actually concurrently taking care of the current round of conference adjustment in university athletics.UNLV officially decided to continue to be in the Mountain range West on Thursday, turning down a relocate to the Pac-12 adhering to that organization's enhancement of Boise State, Colorado Condition, Fresno Condition, San Diego Condition and Utah Condition for 2026. The 7 staying colleges in the Mountain West agreed to a give of civil liberties that will tie all of them to the association via 2031-32. After presently defeating Big 12 participants Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV acquires one more possibility to take down an Electrical power 4 opponent and also reinforce its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it organizes 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our people will certainly flip the page truly quickly," Odom stated. "I can say to in the locker area our team prepare to accomplish that and also climb on to the upcoming video game.".