.Max Olson, ESPN Team WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Huge 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the College of NebraskaLAS LAS VEGA-- UNLV made a claim Saturday in its own very first activity without former starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are mosting likely to be actually just fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 sway Fresno Condition and also moving to 4-0, UNLV proved it'll be a competitor in the Hill West race no matter its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 yards, hurried for 119 gardens and made up four complete goals in his initial beginning for the Rebels after Sluka decided to leave behind the course on Wednesday over a conflict concerning his NIL payment." It was business customarily," UNLV coach Barry Odom pointed out. "Our team've acquired a very fully grown group. ... Our gamers, our company have actually acquired powerful leadership. They recognize the purpose that our team perform and also they received it done." Williams, a sixth-year elderly and also FCS transactions from Campbell, participated in the Rebels in January and also shed a close competition along with Sluka in fall camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 activities at Campbell, leaving as the system's profession innovator in passing gardens as well as goals, as well as awaited his option." I believed he worked, I presumed he was effective," Odom said. "I thought the offending line carried out a significant task protecting him. I assumed the recipients operated excellent routes. I thought the distance runners operated hard. Our company participated in effectively as an outburst." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 catches for 127 backyards and also pair of touchdowns as well as mentioned the quarterback improvement was actually "definitely helpful for our company."" He is actually just a wonderful quarterback that us, as an outburst, our company can move at the back of as well as only pass his pace," White said.After starting three games for UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt as well as is counted on to enter into the transfer website in December. Sluka's father and broker have affirmed he was vocally guaranteed $100,000 by UNLV objectionable planner Brennan Marion during his recruitment however obtained just $3,000 from the institution's NIL collective. UNLV said in a claim that Sluka's agents created monetary needs for him to always keep playing that it took "a violation of NCAA pay-for-play policies, along with Nevada condition legislation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom checked out from a prepared statement during his postgame news conference and also carried out not take inquiries regarding Sluka. He pointed out UNLV observed appropriate regulations and also is actually committed to the development and also excellence of every gamer in the course." Many have actually shown really sturdy point of views about the events of recently without full expertise of the simple facts, without total know-how of the celebrations of last week as well as without full expertise of the regulation in the ever-changing, progressing NIL device," Odom claimed. "As well as unfortunately, some have actually even utilized this circumstance as a platform for their very own schedules. I value every person's right to a point of view, as well as I will not discuss others' point of views or even their incentives for sharing them." White also possessed a message for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas casino site revealed rate of interest in supplying $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the staff, saying to the Sin city Review-Journal that accomplishing this would certainly deserve it "to maintain the Rebels' playoff hopes to life."" I will talk to that someone reach out to the Circa chief executive officer and also ask him, with that said $100,000 that he would like to give, inflict our O-line feel free to," White said.The Rebels popped a six-game losing streak versus Fresno State and obtained the program's 1st 4-0 start due to the fact that 1976 along with a tough time in all 3 phases of the activity. Their self defense produced 4 interceptions as well as 4 sacks while enabling simply 30 rushing yards, as well as their unique crews provided an obstructed punt that White returned for a goal in the very first quarter plus a 90-yard first gain touchdown through Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The victory keeps UNLV in the competition for the extended 12-team College Football Playoff as well as concludes a turbulent full week for a sports division that was actually all at once coping with the current round of conference adjustment in university athletics.UNLV officially made a decision to stay in the Mountain West on Thursday, disapproving a move to the Pac-12 complying with that league's addition of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State as well as Utah State for 2026. The seven remaining schools in the Hill West accepted a give of rights that are going to bind them to the event via 2031-32. After presently defeating Huge 12 participants Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV gets one more chance to take down a Power 4 opponent as well as boost its CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it throws 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our individuals will flip the page definitely promptly," Odom claimed. "I could tell in the closet space our company prepare to carry out that as well as climb on to the upcoming game.".