.Maximum Olson, ESPN Team WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Significant 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV created a declaration Sunday in its initial video game without former starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually visiting be only fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 draw Fresno State and also moving to 4-0, UNLV verified it'll be actually a competitor in the Mountain West race regardless of its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 backyards, hurried for 119 gardens and accounted for 4 total goals in his very first start for the Rebels after Sluka chose to leave behind the course on Wednesday over an issue about his NIL settlement." It was actually service as usual," UNLV coach Barry Odom said. "Our company have actually received an extremely fully grown staff. ... Our players, our team have actually got tough management. They understand the purpose that our team're on as well as they received it carried out." Williams, a sixth-year senior and also FCS transmission from Campbell, participated in the Rebels in January and also shed a near competition along with Sluka in fall camp. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 video games at Campbell, leaving as the course's profession innovator in passing gardens and also touchdowns, as well as awaited his option." I assumed he worked, I thought he was actually efficient," Odom mentioned. "I assumed the offending line carried out an incredible task safeguarding him. I presumed the receivers operated excellent routes. I presumed the distance runners managed hard. Our experts played properly as an offense." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels with a season-high 10 catches for 127 lawns and also 2 touchdowns and also mentioned the quarterback improvement was actually "definitely great for our company."" He's merely a terrific quarterback that us, as an outburst, our team may move behind and also only pass his speed," White said.After starting 3 games for UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt and is actually counted on to go into the transmission portal in December. Sluka's papa and also agent have actually alleged he was vocally assured $100,000 by UNLV offensive planner Brennan Marion in the course of his employment but got only $3,000 from the university's NIL collective. UNLV pointed out in a declaration that Sluka's representatives created economic needs for him to keep participating in that it took "a violation of NCAA pay-for-play regulations, in addition to Nevada state legislation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom checked out coming from a ready statement throughout his postgame news conference and carried out not take concerns concerning Sluka. He claimed UNLV adhered to applicable guidelines and also is dedicated to the progression and excellence of every player in the plan." Numerous have conveyed very tough opinions about the occasions of last week without total knowledge of the realities, without full understanding of the celebrations of last week and also without complete knowledge of the regulation in the ever-changing, evolving NIL device," Odom pointed out. "As well as sadly, some have even used this scenario as a platform for their personal schedules. I value everybody's right to a point of view, and also I won't discuss others' opinions or even their motivations for conveying them." White likewise possessed a message for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas gambling establishment conveyed passion in delivering $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the staff, telling the Sin city Review-Journal that doing so would deserve it "to maintain the Rebels' playoff wishes to life."" I will inquire that somebody communicate to the Circa CEO as well as inquire him, keeping that $100,000 that he desired to donate, give it to our O-line please," White said.The Rebels popped a six-game losing touch against Fresno State and obtained the plan's initial 4-0 beginning due to the fact that 1976 along with a sturdy time in every three stages of the activity. Their defense produced 4 interceptions and 4 sacks while allowing merely 30 rushing yards, and their special teams delivered a blocked out punt that White returned for a touchdown in the very first quarter plus a 90-yard kickoff profit goal by Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The triumph maintains UNLV in the race for the increased 12-team University Soccer Playoff and ends a chaotic full week for an athletic division that was concurrently managing the most recent sphere of event adjustment in college athletics.UNLV officially decided to stay in the Mountain range West on Thursday, denying a relocate to the Pac-12 adhering to that league's add-on of Boise Condition, Colorado Condition, Fresno Condition, San Diego Condition as well as Utah Condition for 2026. The seven staying universities in the Hill West consented to a give of legal rights that will definitely bind them to the association by means of 2031-32. After already defeating Significant 12 participants Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV receives another possibility to take down an Electrical power 4 challenger and also reinforce its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it throws 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our people will turn the page actually swiftly," Odom claimed. "I could inform in the locker room we're ready to accomplish that as well as hop on to the following video game.".