The 2024 season was off to a great start for the UNLV Rebels. The Mountain West school won its first three games of the season including upset road victories over both Houston (27-7) and Kansas (23-20). Quarterback Matthew Sluka threw for 318 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 253 yards and one score on 39 carries. Entering Week 4, UNLV is approaching a spot in the AP Top 25 — it currently sits at No. 29.
However, UNLV’s season took an unexpected turn Tuesday night. Sluka announced in a social media post that he will not play another game for UNLV and will instead use his redshirt.
“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” Sluka posted on X. “Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”
Before transferring to UNLV, Sluka led Holy Cross to the FCS playoffs in 2021 and 2022. Over four years, Sluka passed for 5,916 yards and rushed for 3,583 yards. With Sluka no longer starring at quarterback, the Rebels are likely to turn to either Hajj-Malik Williams or Cameron Friel.
The team should remain rather competitive, but its schedule still includes a handful of tough games. The Rebels will host Fresno State this weekend and welcome Syracuse to town on October 4. A trip to Corvallis to take on Oregon State in mid-October is followed by a visit from No. 25 Boise State. Last year’s Mountain West runner-up has some work to do.
