.Max Olson, ESPN Staff WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Significant 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the College of NebraskaLAS LAS VEGA-- UNLV created a declaration Sunday in its 1st activity without past beginning quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually mosting likely to be actually simply fine.Rolling to a dominant 59-14 win over Fresno State and transferring to 4-0, UNLV proved it'll be actually a contender in the Hill West race irrespective of its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 182 lawns, rushed for 119 lawns and also represented 4 total touchdowns in his 1st beginning for the Rebels after Sluka decided to leave behind the system on Wednesday over a dispute about his NIL compensation." It was actually business customarily," UNLV instructor Barry Odom claimed. "Our experts have actually received an extremely fully grown staff. ... Our players, our company've received sturdy leadership. They recognize the mission that we're on and also they received it performed." Williams, a sixth-year senior and also FCS transfer coming from Campbell, joined the Rebels in January and shed a near competitors along with Sluka in autumn camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 activities at Campbell, leaving behind as the course's occupation innovator in passing yards and touchdowns, and also was ready for his opportunity." I thought he worked, I thought he was reliable," Odom claimed. "I assumed the objectionable line performed an enormous job defending him. I believed the receivers managed terrific courses. I presumed the joggers managed hard. Our company participated in effectively as an offense." UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels with a season-high 10 catches for 127 backyards and also 2 touchdowns and mentioned the quarterback modification was actually "most definitely suitable for our company."" He is actually only an excellent quarterback that our company, as an outburst, our company can rally at the back of and simply go by his pace," White said.After starting 3 games for UNLV, Sluka decided to redshirt and is anticipated to get in the transfer gateway in December. Sluka's daddy and also broker have affirmed he was vocally promised $100,000 through UNLV offending planner Brennan Marion during the course of his recruitment yet acquired simply $3,000 from the university's NIL aggregate. UNLV stated in a claim that Sluka's reps created financial requirements for him to always keep participating in that it interpreted as "a violation of NCAA pay-for-play guidelines, in addition to Nevada condition legislation." Publisher's Picks2 RelatedOdom read through coming from an equipped statement throughout his postgame news conference and also carried out not take inquiries regarding Sluka. He said UNLV abided by appropriate regulations as well as is dedicated to the growth and also results of every player in the system." Lots of have shared incredibly strong viewpoints about the activities of recently without complete understanding of the simple facts, without total know-how of the celebrations of last week as well as without full know-how of the rules in the ever-changing, advancing NIL unit," Odom stated. "And regrettably, some have also utilized this condition as a platform for their own schedules. I recognize everyone's right to a point of view, as well as I will not talk about others' opinions or even their incentives for conveying them." White likewise possessed a notification for Circa Athletics CEO Derek Stevens after the Vegas online casino conveyed interest in giving $100,000 to always keep Sluka on the group, informing the Sin city Review-Journal that accomplishing this would certainly deserve it "to always keep the Rebels' playoff hopes active."" I would talk to that somebody connect to the Circa CEO and also inquire him, with that $100,000 that he wished to give away, inflict our O-line please," White said.The Rebels broke a six-game losing touch versus Fresno State as well as achieved the program's first 4-0 begin due to the fact that 1976 along with a powerful time in all 3 stages of the video game. Their defense created four interceptions as well as 4 sacks while making it possible for simply 30 rushing lawns, and their unique teams provided an obstructed punt that White came back for a touchdown in the initial fourth plus a 90-yard first gain goal by Jai'Den Thomas in the fourth quarter.The triumph keeps UNLV in the race for the grown 12-team College Soccer Playoff and also wraps up a chaotic week for an athletic team that was at the same time taking care of the most up to date round of association adjustment in university athletics.UNLV officially determined to stay in the Mountain West on Thursday, denying a transfer to the Pac-12 following that league's addition of Boise State, Colorado Condition, Fresno Condition, San Diego State and Utah State for 2026. The seven staying institutions in the Mountain range West accepted a give of civil rights that will definitely tie them to the conference with 2031-32. After actually beating Huge 12 participants Houston as well as Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV acquires another possibility to remove a Power 4 enemy and enhance its CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it holds 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our fellas will certainly flip the webpage actually swiftly," Odom mentioned. "I could possibly tell in the storage locker space our experts prepare to accomplish that and also hop on to the upcoming game.".