.Max Olson, ESPN Staff WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Huge 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the Educational Institution of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV created a statement Sunday in its own very first video game without previous starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are visiting be just fine.Rolling to a leading 59-14 win over Fresno State as well as transferring to 4-0, UNLV proved it'll be an opponent in the Mountain range West race despite its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 182 backyards, rushed for 119 backyards and also accounted for 4 total touchdowns in his 1st begin for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave the course on Wednesday over a dispute regarding his NIL settlement." It was actually service customarily," UNLV coach Barry Odom pointed out. "Our experts have actually received a very fully grown staff. ... Our gamers, our experts have actually obtained sturdy leadership. They comprehend the goal that we perform and also they got it performed." Williams, a sixth-year elderly as well as FCS transfer from Campbell, signed up with the Rebels in January and also dropped a near competition along with Sluka in loss camp. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 games at Campbell, leaving behind as the program's job leader in passing lawns as well as touchdowns, and also was ready for his chance." I assumed he worked, I assumed he was actually dependable," Odom stated. "I thought the annoying line carried out a remarkable job defending him. I presumed the receivers ran great routes. I assumed the joggers ran hard. Our experts participated in properly 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 goals and claimed the quarterback change was "definitely helpful for our company."" He is actually just a wonderful quarterback that our company, as an outburst, our experts may move behind as well as only go by his pace," White said.After starting three ready UNLV, Sluka chose to redshirt as well as is actually expected to get in the transactions site in December. Sluka's father as well as representative have declared he was vocally assured $100,000 through UNLV offensive coordinator Brennan Marion in the course of his recruitment but got merely $3,000 coming from the university's NIL collective. UNLV mentioned in a claim that Sluka's reps created monetary requirements for him to keep participating in that it interpreted as "an infraction of NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state rule." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom reviewed from a prepared claim during the course of his postgame news conference and performed certainly not take inquiries pertaining to Sluka. He stated UNLV abided by applicable policies as well as is actually committed to the development as well as effectiveness of every player in the system." Several have revealed very tough point of views regarding the activities of recently without complete know-how of the truths, without full understanding of the celebrations of recently as well as without full knowledge of the regulation in the ever-changing, progressing NIL body," Odom claimed. "And sadly, some have also used this condition as a system for their personal programs. I respect everybody's right to an opinion, as well as I won't talk about others' opinions or their motivations for conveying all of them." White likewise had a notification for Circa Sports Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas online casino revealed interest in offering $100,000 to keep Sluka on the crew, saying to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that accomplishing this would certainly be worth it "to keep the Rebels' playoff wishes to life."" I will inquire that somebody communicate to the Circa CEO and ask him, with that $100,000 that he wished to give, inflict our O-line please," White said.The Rebels broke a six-game losing streak versus Fresno Condition as well as obtained the system's initial 4-0 begin because 1976 with a tough time in all 3 periods of the video game. Their defense generated 4 interceptions and 4 sacks while permitting merely 30 hurrying lawns, and also their unique teams provided a shut out punt that White returned for a goal in the very first quarter plus a 90-yard first profit goal by Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The triumph always keeps UNLV in the race for the grown 12-team College Football Playoff and also ends a chaotic full week for a sports department that was concurrently handling the most recent around of event realignment in university athletics.UNLV formally chose to remain in the Mountain West on Thursday, turning down a move to the Pac-12 complying with that organization's enhancement of Boise Condition, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State for 2026. The 7 remaining universities in the Mountain West accepted to a grant of rights that will definitely bind them to the event via 2031-32. After already beating Large 12 participants Houston as well as Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV obtains another opportunity to take down an Energy 4 enemy and reinforce its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it hosts 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our men are going to turn the web page truly promptly," Odom stated. "I could tell in the storage locker space our company're ready to perform that as well as jump on to the following game.".