.Max Olson, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Large 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the Educational Institution of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV made a statement Sunday in its own initial activity without former starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are visiting be just fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 draw Fresno Condition as well as transferring to 4-0, UNLV showed it'll be actually a contender in the Mountain West race despite its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 gardens, hurried for 119 backyards as well as represented 4 complete touchdowns in his first begin for the Rebels after Sluka chose to leave the program on Wednesday over a disagreement regarding his NIL remuneration." It was business customarily," UNLV train Barry Odom mentioned. "Our company've got a really fully grown crew. ... Our players, our experts've acquired sturdy leadership. They know the objective that our company're on as well as they obtained it performed." Williams, a sixth-year senior as well as FCS move coming from Campbell, joined the Rebels in January and lost a close competition along with Sluka in autumn camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 video games at Campbell, leaving as the plan's job forerunner in passing lawns and also goals, and also was ready for his possibility." I presumed he worked, I assumed he was actually efficient," Odom pointed out. "I believed the outrageous line performed an incredible project safeguarding him. I presumed the recipients operated terrific routes. I thought the runners managed hard. Our team played effectively as an outburst." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 catches for 127 backyards as well as 2 goals as well as claimed the quarterback improvement was actually "most definitely good for us."" He is actually just a fantastic quarterback that us, as an outburst, our team may move at the back of and also just pass his speed," White said.After starting three games for UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt as well as is counted on to enter into the move website in December. Sluka's daddy and also broker have actually alleged he was actually vocally vowed $100,000 by UNLV offensive planner Brennan Marion during his employment but acquired only $3,000 coming from the college's NIL aggregate. UNLV pointed out in a statement that Sluka's representatives created economic demands for him to maintain participating in that it took "a transgression of NCAA pay-for-play guidelines, as well as Nevada condition regulation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom reviewed from a well prepared declaration during his postgame press conference as well as performed not take questions concerning Sluka. He mentioned UNLV abided by relevant regulations and is devoted to the progression and also results of every player in the plan." Several have revealed extremely strong point of views concerning the activities of recently without full knowledge of the truths, without full know-how of the events of last week and also without full understanding of the regulation in the ever-changing, growing NIL system," Odom said. "And also unfortunately, some have also utilized this instance as a system for their very own programs. I respect every person's right to a point of view, and I will not comment on others' opinions or even their motivations for revealing all of them." White also had a message for Circa Sports Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Las vega gambling establishment conveyed rate of interest in providing $100,000 to keep Sluka on the staff, informing the Sin city Review-Journal that doing so would certainly deserve it "to always keep the Rebels' playoff wishes to life."" I would ask that someone communicate to the Circa CEO and also inquire him, keeping that $100,000 that he wished to give away, give it to our O-line satisfy," White said.The Rebels broke a six-game losing streak versus Fresno State and obtained the course's 1st 4-0 begin due to the fact that 1976 with a tough time in all three phases of the game. Their protection generated 4 interceptions and 4 sacks while making it possible for only 30 rushing yards, and their exclusive crews provided an obstructed punting that White returned for a touchdown in the first one-fourth plus a 90-yard first gain goal by Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The success always keeps UNLV in the race for the extended 12-team College Football Playoff and also concludes a chaotic full week for an athletic division that was actually at the same time taking care of the latest sphere of event adjustment in college athletics.UNLV officially made a decision to stay in the Mountain West on Thursday, declining a move to the Pac-12 following that game's addition of Boise Condition, Colorado Condition, Fresno State, San Diego State and also Utah State for 2026. The 7 staying colleges in the Mountain West accepted a give of legal rights that will certainly bind all of them to the association via 2031-32. After currently defeating Large 12 members Houston as well as Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV acquires another option to remove a Power 4 enemy as well as reinforce its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it throws 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our fellas will flip the webpage truly rapidly," Odom mentioned. "I can tell in the storage locker space our company're ready to accomplish that and climb on to the following video game.".