.Max Olson, ESPN Team WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Big 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of NebraskaLAS LAS VEGA-- UNLV created a claim Sunday in its own initial video game without past starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually heading to be actually merely fine.Rolling to a prevalent 59-14 sway Fresno State and also relocating to 4-0, UNLV showed it'll be a challenger in the Hill West race despite its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 gardens, rushed for 119 gardens and also accounted for 4 overall goals in his very first start for the Rebels after Sluka decided to leave the course on Wednesday over a disagreement about his NIL payment." It was business customarily," UNLV train Barry Odom claimed. "Our team've got a very fully grown crew. ... Our gamers, our team've got strong management. They comprehend the objective that we perform and also they acquired it carried out." Williams, a sixth-year elderly as well as FCS transfer coming from Campbell, joined the Rebels in January as well as lost a close competitors along with Sluka in loss camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 video games at Campbell, leaving behind as the program's career forerunner in passing lawns as well as goals, and also awaited his opportunity." I thought he worked, I believed he was reliable," Odom said. "I presumed the outrageous line did a remarkable project guarding him. I presumed the receivers ran terrific paths. I believed the runners managed hard. We participated in well as an outburst." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels with a season-high 10 catches for 127 yards and two goals as well as said the quarterback improvement was actually "most definitely helpful for us."" He's just a terrific quarterback that us, as an offense, we can move at the rear of and also just pass his rate," White said.After starting three games for UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt and is anticipated to get in the transmission site in December. Sluka's dad and broker have affirmed he was vocally promised $100,000 by UNLV annoying coordinator Brennan Marion during the course of his employment but obtained only $3,000 coming from the university's NIL aggregate. UNLV mentioned in a statement that Sluka's reps made economic demands for him to keep playing that it took "an infraction of NCAA pay-for-play regulations, and also Nevada state regulation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom read through coming from a prepared declaration during his postgame news conference and also performed certainly not take inquiries relating to Sluka. He pointed out UNLV complied with relevant policies as well as is actually committed to the advancement and excellence of every gamer in the system." A lot of have shared really powerful viewpoints about the occasions of last week without total expertise of the truths, without complete know-how of the celebrations of recently as well as without complete understanding of the regulation in the ever-changing, developing NIL device," Odom pointed out. "And also regrettably, some have actually even used this situation as a system for their own programs. I recognize everyone's right to a point of view, and I won't comment on others' opinions or even their motivations for conveying all of them." White additionally had a notification for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas gambling enterprise conveyed rate of interest in giving $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the team, informing the Sin city Review-Journal that doing this would deserve it "to always keep the Rebels' playoff wishes active."" I would certainly inquire that somebody reach out to the Circa CEO as well as inquire him, with that said $100,000 that he desired to contribute, inflict our O-line feel free to," White said.The Rebels popped a six-game losing touch versus Fresno State as well as attained the system's initial 4-0 begin considering that 1976 along with a solid day in every three phases of the video game. Their self defense produced 4 interceptions and 4 sacks while allowing just 30 hurrying gardens, as well as their unique groups delivered a shut out punting that White came back for a goal in the initial fourth plus a 90-yard first yield touchdown through Jai'Den Thomas in the 4th quarter.The triumph keeps UNLV in the competition for the increased 12-team University Regulation football Playoff and also concludes a chaotic week for a sports team that was actually simultaneously coping with the current sphere of association realignment in university athletics.UNLV formally determined to continue to be in the Hill West on Thursday, denying a move to the Pac-12 complying with that game's addition of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State as well as Utah Condition for 2026. The 7 continuing to be institutions in the Mountain range West accepted to a give of rights that will tie all of them to the event by means of 2031-32. After already beating Significant 12 members Houston and Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV obtains another possibility to remove an Electrical power 4 rival and also enhance its CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it organizes 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our individuals are going to flip the page really promptly," Odom said. "I could inform in the closet room we prepare to perform that as well as hop on to the upcoming video game.".