.Maximum Olson, ESPN Team WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Large 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the Educational Institution of NebraskaLAS LAS VEGA-- UNLV made a statement Sunday in its 1st game without previous starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are heading to be simply fine.Rolling to a prevalent 59-14 sway Fresno State as well as transferring to 4-0, UNLV showed it'll be a challenger in the Mountain range West competition regardless of its quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 gardens, hurried for 119 lawns and also made up four complete goals in his initial beginning for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave behind the course on Wednesday over a dispute concerning his NIL remuneration." It was actually organization as usual," UNLV train Barry Odom claimed. "Our experts've obtained a very mature crew. ... Our players, our company have actually got powerful leadership. They understand the goal that our company perform as well as they received it performed." Williams, a sixth-year senior as well as FCS transfer from Campbell, signed up with the Rebels in January and shed a near competition with Sluka in loss camping ground. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 games at Campbell, leaving behind as the plan's career innovator in passing backyards as well as touchdowns, and also was ready for his possibility." I believed he worked, I thought he was efficient," Odom stated. "I believed the annoying line carried out a significant work securing him. I presumed the receivers managed terrific courses. I believed the distance runners managed hard. We participated in well as an offense." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 catches for 127 yards and pair of touchdowns and claimed the quarterback adjustment was "certainly good for our team."" He's simply a terrific quarterback that our team, as an outburst, our experts can rally at the rear of as well as simply pass his speed," White said.After beginning 3 games for UNLV, Sluka opted to redshirt as well as is counted on to go into the transactions gateway in December. Sluka's papa and agent have alleged he was actually vocally assured $100,000 by UNLV offending planner Brennan Marion in the course of his recruitment but got merely $3,000 from the institution's NIL cumulative. UNLV pointed out in a declaration that Sluka's agents made economic requirements for him to keep participating in that it interpreted as "an infraction of NCAA pay-for-play regulations, and also Nevada condition legislation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom read from a prepared statement during the course of his postgame news conference and also performed certainly not take questions concerning Sluka. He pointed out UNLV abided by relevant guidelines as well as is actually committed to the growth as well as success of every player in the plan." A lot of have shown really solid point of views about the celebrations of recently without full expertise of the realities, without full understanding of the celebrations of last week and also without total expertise of the rules in the ever-changing, progressing NIL system," Odom mentioned. "As well as sadly, some have actually also used this scenario as a platform for their very own plans. I value every person's right to an opinion, as well as I will not discuss others' opinions or their inspirations for conveying them." White likewise possessed a message for Circa Sports Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Vegas gambling enterprise shared rate of interest in providing $100,000 to maintain Sluka on the crew, informing the Las Vegas Review-Journal that doing so would certainly deserve it "to always keep the Rebels' playoff wishes alive."" I would certainly inquire that somebody connect to the Circa chief executive officer and ask him, with that $100,000 that he wanted to give away, inflict our O-line feel free to," White said.The Rebels snapped a six-game losing touch versus Fresno State and achieved the system's very first 4-0 beginning because 1976 along with a solid day with all three phases of the video game. Their protection created four interceptions as well as 4 sacks while permitting only 30 rushing lawns, and their unique teams delivered a blocked out punting that White returned for a goal in the very first fourth plus a 90-yard first gain touchdown by Jai'Den Thomas in the 4th quarter.The victory keeps UNLV in the competition for the increased 12-team University Football Playoff and also wraps up a disorderly week for an athletic team that was all at once taking care of the most up to date around of conference adjustment in university athletics.UNLV formally determined to stay in the Mountain West on Thursday, refusing a move to the Pac-12 complying with that league's enhancement of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego Condition and also Utah Condition for 2026. The seven staying schools in the Mountain West accepted a give of liberties that will certainly tie them to the association with 2031-32. After currently beating Huge 12 participants Houston and also Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV gets another option to remove an Energy 4 enemy as well as enhance its own CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it organizes 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our individuals will turn the webpage definitely quickly," Odom mentioned. "I could tell in the storage locker space our experts prepare to carry out that as well as jump on to the following game.".