.Max Olson, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Major 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the College of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV made a declaration Saturday in its own first video game without previous starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually going to be only fine.Rolling to a leading 59-14 get Fresno State as well as relocating to 4-0, UNLV confirmed it'll be a challenger in the Mountain West competition despite its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 yards, hurried for 119 gardens and also accounted for four total goals in his first start for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave behind the system on Wednesday over a dispute about his NIL settlement." It was organization as usual," UNLV trainer Barry Odom said. "Our team have actually received a very fully grown team. ... Our gamers, our experts have actually obtained tough management. They recognize the purpose that our team get on and also they got it performed." Williams, a sixth-year elderly and also FCS transfer coming from Campbell, participated in the Rebels in January as well as dropped a near competitors along with Sluka in autumn camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 activities at Campbell, leaving behind as the course's profession forerunner in passing backyards as well as goals, and also was ready for his option." I thought he worked, I presumed he was actually dependable," Odom said. "I assumed the repulsive line did a remarkable work securing him. I thought the recipients managed excellent routes. I presumed the joggers managed hard. Our experts played effectively as an outburst." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels with a season-high 10 catches for 127 lawns as well as two touchdowns and said the quarterback adjustment was actually "most definitely helpful for our team."" He is actually just an excellent quarterback that our team, as an offense, we may rally at the rear of and merely pass his pace," White said.After beginning three games for UNLV, Sluka opted to redshirt and also is actually anticipated to enter the transmission gateway in December. Sluka's father and broker have actually alleged he was verbally vowed $100,000 by UNLV annoying organizer Brennan Marion in the course of his employment yet acquired simply $3,000 coming from the university's NIL collective. UNLV pointed out in a declaration that Sluka's agents made monetary demands for him to always keep participating in that it interpreted as "an offense of NCAA pay-for-play guidelines, and also Nevada state law." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom checked out coming from a prepared claim throughout his postgame press conference as well as did not take inquiries concerning Sluka. He pointed out UNLV complied with applicable regulations and also is actually dedicated to the growth as well as success of every player in the plan." A lot of have actually revealed extremely tough point of views regarding the activities of last week without full expertise of the truths, without total knowledge of the celebrations of last week and without full knowledge of the regulation in the ever-changing, evolving NIL system," Odom pointed out. "As well as regrettably, some have actually even used this circumstance as a platform for their very own plans. I appreciate every person's right to an opinion, and I will not comment on others' opinions or even their inspirations for expressing all of them." White also had a notification for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Las vega casino site revealed enthusiasm in supplying $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the group, informing the Las Vegas Review-Journal that doing this will deserve it "to keep the Rebels' playoff wishes alive."" I will inquire that someone communicate to the Circa chief executive officer and also ask him, keeping that $100,000 that he would like to give away, inflict our O-line please," White said.The Rebels popped a six-game losing streak against Fresno Condition as well as attained the system's very first 4-0 start considering that 1976 with a tough time in all three stages of the activity. Their self defense created four interceptions as well as 4 sacks while permitting merely 30 rushing lawns, and their unique crews supplied a blocked punting that White returned for a touchdown in the very first quarter plus a 90-yard first gain touchdown through Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The victory maintains UNLV in the race for the extended 12-team College Soccer Playoff and concludes a turbulent week for a sports department that was at the same time managing the most recent sphere of conference adjustment in college athletics.UNLV formally decided to continue to be in the Mountain West on Thursday, turning down a move 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 remaining institutions in the Mountain range West accepted a give of rights that are going to bind them to the association by means of 2031-32. After currently beating Large 12 participants Houston and Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV gets one more chance to remove a Power 4 rival as well as boost its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it holds 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our guys are going to turn the webpage actually rapidly," Odom said. "I might say to in the locker area our company're ready to perform that and jump on to the following video game.".