UNLV responded to the sudden departure of former starting quarterback Matthew Sluka with a dominant 59-14 victory over Fresno State on Saturday at home.
The 4-0 Rebels remained undefeated as Hajj-Malik Williams passed for three touchdowns and rushed for one more in his first UNLV start since Sluka exited the program for NIL reasons.
Matt Lane @Matty_KCSNHajj-Malik Williams now has more passing yards vs FBS completion in 3.5 quarters than Matt Sluka had all year vs FBS competition for UNLV.
Brett McMurphy @Brett_McMurphyThe Matthew Sluka-less UNLV Rebels leading Fresno State 28-0 13 minutes left in 3rd quarter. Rebels had not scored more than 27 points in a game vs. FBS teams this year w/Sluka
Bryan Fischer @BryanDFischerHajj-Malik Williams is 13-of-16 with 3 TDs replacing Matthew Sluka. UNLV up 38-7 into the 4th quarter and likely ranked in the AP Poll for the first time ever come tomorrow.
Steve Carp @stevecarp56UNLV answered several questions today in its win over Fresno State:<br>1) Matthew Sluka's abrupt departure was not a distraction. Odom and staff did a great job of preparation.<br>2) Hajj-Malik Williams can play.<br>3) The team's best players showed up and led by example.
Sluka announced on Wednesday that he will redshirt the rest of the 2024 season while claiming the Rebels had not fulfilled an alleged promise of $100,000 made before his commitment.
Las Vegas-headquartered resort and casino Circa Sports reportedly offered Sluka $100,000 to stay at UNLV. After the win, Rebels wide receiver Ricky White III urged the company to send the funs to the offensive line around Williams:
Ricky White lll @Only1RWPLEASE <a href="https://t.co/aYsftz96T4">https://t.co/aYsftz96T4</a>
Although Sluka's seven total touchdowns through three starts were a key reason the Rebels headed into the weekend as a CFP hopeful, Williams' ability to extend UNLV's unbeaten streak to four games had fans wondering if the former starter had made a mistake by leaving the program.
John Middlekauff @JohnMiddlekauffWhoever told Sluka and pops to kick rocks is a good business man. UNLV looks like Bama
Garage Gameday Sports @GamedayGarageHAJJ-MALIK. 🔥🏈🔥<br><br>Sluka and his agent be like <a href="https://t.co/dJ1ZTwhYVr">https://t.co/dJ1ZTwhYVr</a> <a href="https://t.co/v8Q5ciQzlW">pic.twitter.com/v8Q5ciQzlW</a>
✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Right Arrow Icon
Proph™️🔮 @SportsProphet__Funniest thing about the entire Sluka leaving UNLV NIL saga:<br><br>The UNLV offense is literally better with Hajj-Malik Williams 💀
Chris McBride @ChrisMcBride_12Seems UNLV is perfectly fine without Sluka.<br><br>Kid couldn't throw, so going to another running QB isn't a big impact.<br><br>That was a huge mistake on his part
Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbachIt would appear that UNLV did not need Matthew Sluka today.
Braden "Brady" Clark @BradenTClarkLol UNLV was just waiting until conference season to play their real QB, weren't they?<br><br>They look significantly better without Sluka.
Jordan Juel @jordanjuelDid UNLV just not pay Sluka because they knew what Hajj-Malik could do and didn't care? They may be much better without him.
Jeremy Kawika @JeremyKawikaWhy on earth was Sluka starting? This new QB throws a much better ball.
Williams' first two drives as the Rebels' starter ended in punts before he ran in the first touchdown of the game midway through the first quarter.
UNLV Football @unlvfootball6 FOR 6!<br><br>Hajj puts us up on the board first 🔥<br><br>📺: FS1 <a href="https://t.co/1cV5TddsRp">pic.twitter.com/1cV5TddsRp</a>
The Rebels climbed out to a 21-point lead on a punt touchdown before Williams threw his first touchdown pass of the night to White in the final minutes of the half.
FOX College Football @CFBONFOXUNLV adds another TD to their tally 😎 <a href="https://twitter.com/unlvfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@unlvfootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/dXKdDgqYjE">pic.twitter.com/dXKdDgqYjE</a>
Williams connected with Kaleo Ballungay on a 17-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, then found White for another passing touchdown in the fourth.
UNLV Football @unlvfootballHAJJ TO KALEO 💰<br><br>Rebs march down the field in 5 plays for the touchdown just two minutes into the second half <a href="https://t.co/NsnrqWeN0J">pic.twitter.com/NsnrqWeN0J</a>
FOX College Football @CFBONFOXThat is now 3 passing TDs for Hajj-Malik Williams today!!! 😤 <a href="https://twitter.com/unlvfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@unlvfootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/CXyvGIvs5O">pic.twitter.com/CXyvGIvs5O</a>
The quarterback ended the night having gone 13-of-16 for 182 yards while adding 119 yards on the ground.
Sluka meanwhile closed out his UNLV career having completed 43.8 percent of his passes for 318 yards, six touchdowns and one interception while adding 253 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Both quarterbacks have showed off their rushing skills during their respective starts, but fans were most impressed by the passing abilities Williams demonstrated during Saturday's win.
Alfred Burkschmidt, MD @BurkschmidtMDIt's almost laughable how much better Hajj-Malik Williams is than Matthew Sluka. Should've been starting all along.
Liam Blutman @Blutman27Hajj just looks SO much more comfortable running this offense than Sluka did in his 3 games<br><br>There is a clear difference
Karlo @Sumdood88Hajj has THREE passing TDs. Sluka could never
Vincent Bonsignore @VinnyBonsignoreUNLV's offense looks so much better with Hajj-Malik<br>Williams at QB. A decidedly better passer than Matthew Sluka.
Game Flow @SportVentsHajj-Malik Williams elevates this UNLV offense so much. This whole situation may have been a blessing in disguise for UNLV FB. Go Rebs!
Williams joined UNLV this spring after five years at Campbell, where he recorded a career-high 2,597 passing yards for the FCS program last season.
It looks like the 24-year-old is now taking full advantage now that Sluka's departure has given him the opportunity to be an FBS starter.
Williams is likely to get the nod for a second straight start as UNLV returns to action on Friday, potentially as an AP ranked team, for a nationally-televised home game against Syracuse.
