Today was a great day for UNLV football as they blew out their conference rival Fresno State 59-14. The headline of former starting quarrterback Matthew Sluka quitting the team because he tried to leverage UNLV out of more NIL money took the college football world by storm.
We let the Dawgs out pic.twitter.com/6xe6fQa0rM
— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) September 28, 2024
Head Football Coach Barry Odom has build a very strong culture at UNLV that isn’t going to be broken by just one player. The Rebels made that message abundantly clear with the Rebels inspired play on Saturday.
Hajj-Malik Williams showed everyone that not only can he handle the responsibility of being QB1. But also shows that he can possibly be the best fit for the offense overall. Williams threw for 182 yards, rushed for 119 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns in his first start for the Rebels.
“It was business as usual,” UNLV coach Barry Odom said. “We’ve got a very mature team. Our players, we’ve got strong leadership. They understand the mission that we’re on and they got it done.”
“Many have expressed very strong opinions about the events of last week without full knowledge of the facts, without full knowledge of the events of last week and without full knowledge of the rules in the ever-changing, evolving NIL system,” Odom said. “And regrettably, some have even used this circumstance as a platform for their own agendas. I respect everyone’s right to an opinion, and I won’t comment on others’ opinions or their motivations for expressing them.”
Ricky White III comes alive
Williams was able to connect with All-American wide receiver Ricky White III for a season high 10 catches and for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
“Definitely good for us.” “He’s just a great quarterback that us, as an offense, we can rally behind and just go by his pace,” White said.
The Rebels ended a six-game losing streak against Fresno State and achieved the program’s first 4-0 start since 1976. This season is becoming more historic by the week. Without a doubt the Rebels are looking to continue their unbeaten streak and look forward to another rise in the polls.
Fan reactions
Social media has responded to the success of Hajj-Malik Williams and they are a true believer in him. Definitely the college football world is behind Williams.
It’s almost laughable how much better Hajj-Malik Williams is than Matthew Sluka. Should’ve been starting all along.
— Alfred Burkschmidt, MD (@BurkschmidtMD) September 28, 2024
The UNLV Rebels got better this week pic.twitter.com/OvaYmbscFg
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) September 28, 2024
Why wasn't Hajj the starter this whole time?
— Karlo (@Sumdood88) September 28, 2024
The UNLV Rebels got better this week pic.twitter.com/OvaYmbscFg
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) September 28, 2024
Great day for UNLV and a great day to #BEaREBEL
— Game Flow (@SportVents) September 28, 2024
Sluka who https://t.co/cZD3tKBZjY pic.twitter.com/uIBFxLLEvo
— instructorDuke (@InstructorDuke) September 28, 2024
HAJJ-MALIK. ????????????
Sluka and his agent be like https://t.co/dJ1ZTwhYVr pic.twitter.com/v8Q5ciQzlW
— Garage Gameday Sports (@GamedayGarage) September 28, 2024
UNLV’s offense looks so much better with Hajj-Malik
Williams at QB. A decidedly better passer than Matthew Sluka.— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) September 28, 2024
It would appear that UNLV did not need Matthew Sluka today.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 28, 2024
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
