Matthew Sluka Trolled by CFB Fans as Hajj-Malik Williams, UNLV Blow Out Fresno State
September 28, 2024
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
