.Max Olson, ESPN Staff WriterSep 28, 2024, 08:48 PM ETCloseCovers the Huge 12Joined ESPN in 2012Graduate of the University of NebraskaLAS VEGAS-- UNLV made a claim Saturday in its own first activity without former starting quarterback Matthew Sluka: The Rebels are actually heading to be actually simply fine.Rolling to a prevalent 59-14 get Fresno Condition as well as relocating to 4-0, UNLV proved it'll be a contender in the Mountain West race despite its own quarterback change.Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for 182 lawns, rushed for 119 yards and represented 4 overall goals in his first beginning for the Rebels after Sluka opted to leave behind the program on Wednesday over a dispute about his NIL payment." It was actually company as usual," UNLV instructor Barry Odom claimed. "Our experts have actually obtained an extremely mature staff. ... Our gamers, our company have actually acquired solid management. They recognize the objective that our team perform and also they received it carried out." Williams, a sixth-year elderly and FCS transmission coming from Campbell, signed up with the Rebels in January and also shed a near competitors with Sluka in fall camp. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 41 video games at Campbell, leaving as the plan's occupation leader in passing backyards as well as goals, and also awaited his option." I presumed he worked, I believed he was efficient," Odom claimed. "I assumed the outrageous line carried out a remarkable task securing him. I thought the recipients managed excellent routes. I believed the joggers operated hard. We participated in well as an offense." UNLV pass receiver Ricky White III led the Rebels along with a season-high 10 drawbacks for 127 backyards and also pair of goals and also stated the quarterback improvement was "absolutely helpful for us."" He's just a great quarterback that our team, as an outburst, our company may rally at the back of and simply pass his pace," White said.After starting 3 ready UNLV, Sluka chose to redshirt and is actually counted on to get in the transmission site in December. Sluka's daddy and representative have alleged he was actually vocally assured $100,000 through UNLV annoying organizer Brennan Marion during the course of his recruitment yet got just $3,000 coming from the school's NIL aggregate. UNLV pointed out in a claim that Sluka's representatives made monetary demands for him to always keep playing that it interpreted as "a transgression of NCAA pay-for-play policies, and also Nevada state regulation." Editor's Picks2 RelatedOdom checked out from a prepared statement throughout his postgame news conference and performed not take inquiries concerning Sluka. He said UNLV complied with suitable regulations and is committed to the advancement and excellence of every player in the plan." A lot of have actually revealed really sturdy viewpoints concerning the activities of recently without full knowledge of the truths, without total knowledge of the occasions of last week as well as without complete knowledge of the regulation in the ever-changing, growing NIL device," Odom pointed out. "And 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 also I won't discuss others' viewpoints or even their motivations for conveying them." White likewise possessed an information for Circa Athletics Chief Executive Officer Derek Stevens after the Las vega gambling enterprise shared passion in delivering $100,000 to keep Sluka on the staff, saying to the Sin city Review-Journal that doing this would deserve it "to always keep the Rebels' playoff really hopes active."" I will talk to that someone reach out to the Circa CEO and also ask him, with that $100,000 that he would like to give away, give it to our O-line please," White said.The Rebels popped a six-game losing touch versus Fresno State and obtained the program's first 4-0 begin due to the fact that 1976 with a strong day in all 3 periods of the game. Their defense generated 4 interceptions and 4 sacks while making it possible for merely 30 rushing lawns, and their exclusive teams delivered a shut out punting that White came back for a goal in the initial one-fourth plus a 90-yard first return goal by Jai'Den Thomas in the 4th quarter.The victory keeps UNLV in the competition for the broadened 12-team University Regulation football Playoff and ends a chaotic full week for an athletic team that was all at once managing the most recent round of association realignment in college athletics.UNLV officially determined to remain in the Mountain West on Thursday, declining a move to the Pac-12 complying with that league's add-on of Boise Condition, Colorado Condition, Fresno State, San Diego State and also Utah Condition for 2026. The seven continuing to be schools in the Mountain West consented to a give of civil rights that will definitely bind them to the association through 2031-32. After actually beating Big 12 members Houston and Kansas in nonconference play, UNLV gets another chance to remove an Energy 4 challenger and also enhance its CFP ru00e9sumu00e9 when it holds 3-1 Syracuse on Friday." Our individuals will turn the webpage truly quickly," Odom claimed. "I could tell in the closet room our experts're ready to do that and climb on to the upcoming video game.".