UNLV is 3-0 for the first time in 40 years thanks in large part to a pair of wins over teams that reside in the Big 12: Houston and Kansas.
The Rebels are very much in the conversation to earn an automatic berth to the College Football Playoff, but they suffered a blow Tuesday that could derail their historic season.
Starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced late Tuesday night he won’t play another down this season. He’s taking a redshirt year and will sit out because of a reported dispute over stalled payments for a Name, Image, and Likeness deal.
Matthew Sluka Stats
Sluka transferred to UNLV this year after four seasons at Holy Cross, where he racked up 9,499 yards of offense and 97 touchdowns and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award in 2022 and 2023. He leads the Rebels with 253 rushing yards and six passing touchdowns this season.
Sluka has been more of a threat with his legs than his arm at times, but he did lead UNLV in two wins over teams from Power Four conferences and a record-setting offensive performance against Utah Tech.
Those wins have the Rebels in position to earn one of five automatic berths to the CFP that go to the highest-ranked conference champions. Boise State was the only Group of Five team to crack the AP Top 25 this week. The Broncos came in at No. 25. UNLV isn’t far behind after picking up 53 points, which would put the Rebels at No. 29.
Of course there is still plenty of football to be played, including UNLV’s Mountain West opener at home Saturday against Fresno State (3-1, 1-0 Mountain West). The Bulldogs have won three in a row after opening the season with a 30-10 loss to Michigan.
UNLV Betting Line This Week
UNLV is a one-point college football betting odds favorite against Fresno State, and the Over/Under is 48.5 points.
What Happened?
Sluka said in his statement on Twitter/X that promises made to him when he transferred to UNLV were not upheld. He didn’t specify who made the promises or what they were, but Sluka made it clear that someone hasn’t upheld their end of the bargain.
“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” he wrote. “Despite discussions, it became clear these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future.”
Sluka’s father, Bob, said his son has never received payment from an NIL deal that was agreed to back in February, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. Sluka’s NIL agent, Marcus Cromartie, reportedly told ESPN that Sluka was offered $100,000 by an assistant coach before transferring, but all he has received is a $3,000 relocation stipend.
Rob Sine, CEO of Blueprint Sports, which operates UNLV’s collective, reportedly told Yahoo Sports the collective never agreed to a $100,000 deal with Sluka.
College athletes have been able to monetize their name, image, and likeness through endorsement deals, advertisements, and appearances since July 2021.
College football players that haven’t appeared in four games can take a redshirt year and sit out the rest of the season, preserving a year of eligibility. It’s not uncommon for players who are buried on the depth chart to look for greener pastures, but Sluka has to be one of the first starting quarterbacks on a CFP contender to essentially hold out, via the transfer portal, over a reported money dispute.
Where Do The Rebels Turn?
UNLV will probably have to turn to one of two seniors: Cameron Friel or Campbell transfer Hajj-Malik Williams.
Friel was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2021 after posting 1,608 passing yards and six touchdowns, but he has only played in five games the past two seasons. He played in just one contest last year while Jayden Maiava led the Rebels to the Mountain West Championship game. Maiava transferred to USC.
Williams spent the past five seasons at Campbell and left as the program’s career leader in passing yards (8,236) and touchdown passes (58).
