.Max Olson, ESPN Team WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Large 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the Educational Institution of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV brought in a claim Saturday in its very first activity without former beginning quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are going to be only fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 gain Fresno Condition as well as transferring to 4-0, UNLV proved it'll be actually a contender in the Mountain West competition regardless of its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 182 yards, rushed for 119 gardens as well as represented 4 complete goals in his initial beginning for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave behind the program on Wednesday over a conflict about his NIL compensation." It was business customarily," UNLV coach Barry Odom stated. "We've got a very fully grown team. ... Our players, our experts've acquired powerful management. They know the purpose that our team're on and also they acquired it done." Williams, a sixth-year senior and also FCS transfer from Campbell, joined the Rebels in January as well as lost a near competition along with Sluka in loss camp. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 games at Campbell, leaving behind as the plan's job leader in passing lawns and touchdowns, and was ready for his opportunity." I thought he was effective, I thought he was actually efficient," Odom stated. "I assumed the objectionable line carried out a remarkable job securing him. I thought the recipients managed excellent paths. I thought the runners managed hard. Our experts played well as an offense." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 drawbacks for 127 gardens as well as 2 goals as well as said the quarterback modification was actually "undoubtedly helpful for our team."" He is actually just a fantastic quarterback that our team, as an outburst, our experts may rally at the back of and also just go by his rate," White said.After starting 3 games for UNLV, Sluka opted to redshirt and also is actually anticipated to get into the transfer portal in December. Sluka's daddy and also agent have alleged he was vocally vowed $100,000 through UNLV objectionable organizer Brennan Marion during his employment but obtained only $3,000 from the institution's NIL collective. UNLV pointed out in a claim that Sluka's agents made monetary needs for him to always keep participating in that it took "an infraction of NCAA pay-for-play regulations, and also Nevada state legislation." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedOdom reviewed from a ready statement during his postgame press conference as well as performed not take questions pertaining to Sluka. He mentioned UNLV abided by relevant rules as well as is committed to the advancement and also success of every gamer in the system." Numerous have actually revealed extremely solid opinions regarding the activities of recently without complete know-how of the facts, without total expertise of the activities of last week and without full know-how of the rules in the ever-changing, advancing NIL body," Odom claimed. "And also sadly, some have actually also used this scenario as a system for their own programs. I appreciate every person's right to a point of view, as well as I won't comment on others' point of views or their motivations for revealing all of them." White also had a notification for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas casino site expressed rate of interest in delivering $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the staff, saying to the Sin city Review-Journal that doing so would certainly deserve it "to keep the Rebels' playoff hopes active."" I would talk to that somebody connect to the Circa chief executive officer as well as ask him, keeping that $100,000 that he desired to donate, give it to our O-line satisfy," White said.The Rebels snapped a six-game losing streak against Fresno State and also accomplished the plan's very first 4-0 begin because 1976 along with a strong time in every 3 phases of the game. Their defense produced 4 interceptions as well as four sacks while permitting only 30 hurrying backyards, and also their unique teams delivered a blocked out punt that White returned for a touchdown in the first quarter plus a 90-yard kickoff gain goal through Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The success keeps UNLV in the race for the extended 12-team University Football Playoff and also ends a disorderly week for an athletic division that was actually all at once coping with the most recent around of association adjustment in college athletics.UNLV formally determined to remain in the Mountain West on Thursday, declining a relocate to the Pac-12 complying with that organization's addition of Boise Condition, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego Condition as well as Utah Condition for 2026. The 7 continuing to be colleges in the Hill West agreed to a give of civil liberties that will certainly tie them to the conference with 2031-32. After already defeating Large 12 members Houston as well as Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV obtains one more option to take down an Electrical power 4 opponent as well as boost its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it holds 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our people will certainly flip the webpage truly promptly," Odom mentioned. "I could possibly inform in the closet area our experts're ready to do that and get on to the following activity.".