.Max Olson, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Major 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the College of NebraskaLAS LAS VEGA-- UNLV created a claim Sunday in its first activity without former starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually going to be only fine.Rolling to a leading 59-14 gain Fresno State and also relocating to 4-0, UNLV proved it'll be actually an opponent in the Mountain range West competition irrespective of its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 182 backyards, rushed for 119 backyards as well as represented four total goals in his 1st start for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave behind the course on Wednesday over a dispute concerning his NIL remuneration." It was actually company as usual," UNLV trainer Barry Odom stated. "We have actually acquired a really mature crew. ... Our gamers, our team have actually acquired tough leadership. They recognize the mission that our team get on as well as they received it done." Williams, a sixth-year elderly and FCS transmission coming from Campbell, signed up with the Rebels in January and lost a near competitors along with Sluka in loss camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 games at Campbell, leaving behind as the plan's career leader in passing gardens and also touchdowns, and was ready for his opportunity." I thought he was effective, I thought he was actually effective," Odom claimed. "I thought the offending line carried out a remarkable work protecting him. I presumed the receivers operated excellent routes. I assumed the distance runners managed hard. Our team played effectively as an offense." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 drawbacks for 127 gardens and two touchdowns and also claimed the quarterback improvement was "certainly good for our company."" He is actually just a great quarterback that us, as an outburst, our team can rally at the back of as well as just pass his speed," White said.After starting three games for UNLV, Sluka chose to redshirt as well as is actually anticipated to get in the transactions site in December. Sluka's papa and also representative have actually declared he was vocally promised $100,000 through UNLV outrageous coordinator Brennan Marion in the course of his employment but acquired only $3,000 coming from the college's NIL aggregate. UNLV mentioned in a claim that Sluka's agents made monetary requirements for him to maintain playing that it interpreted as "an infraction of NCAA pay-for-play guidelines, in addition to Nevada state regulation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom gone through from a prepared declaration in the course of his postgame press conference as well as did not take questions regarding Sluka. He stated UNLV adhered to appropriate rules and is actually dedicated to the advancement as well as excellence of every player in the course." Lots of have conveyed quite sturdy viewpoints about the celebrations of recently without total knowledge of the facts, without total know-how of the celebrations of recently as well as without total understanding of the rules in the ever-changing, advancing NIL system," Odom stated. "And also sadly, some have actually even utilized this scenario as a platform for their personal programs. I appreciate everyone's right to an opinion, and also I won't talk about others' point of views or their inspirations for conveying them." White also possessed a message for Circa Sports Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Las vega gambling enterprise shared passion in giving $100,000 to always keep Sluka on the group, telling the Sin city Review-Journal that accomplishing this will deserve it "to keep the Rebels' playoff really hopes alive."" I will talk to that someone connect to the Circa CEO and inquire him, with that $100,000 that he intended to give, inflict our O-line feel free to," White said.The Rebels broke a six-game losing streak versus Fresno Condition and accomplished the plan's initial 4-0 beginning given that 1976 along with a sturdy day with all 3 periods of the video game. Their protection produced four interceptions and also 4 sacks while allowing simply 30 hurrying lawns, and also their unique staffs delivered a shut out punt that White came back for a touchdown in the initial fourth plus a 90-yard kickoff profit touchdown through Jai'Den Thomas in the 4th quarter.The success keeps UNLV in the race for the increased 12-team University Regulation football Playoff and concludes a disorderly week for a sports division that was simultaneously taking care of the latest around of association adjustment in college athletics.UNLV officially made a decision to stay in the Mountain range West on Thursday, declining a transfer to the Pac-12 observing that organization's add-on of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego Condition and also Utah State for 2026. The seven continuing to be colleges in the Mountain range West consented to a grant of liberties that are going to bind all of them to the association through 2031-32. After actually beating Huge 12 participants Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV acquires one more chance to take down an Energy 4 opponent and also strengthen its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it holds 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our guys are going to turn the web page truly quickly," Odom mentioned. "I could tell in the closet space our company prepare to do that as well as climb on to the upcoming video game.".