Days before Fresno State game, UNLV QB makes startling announcement

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KSEE/KGPE) – When Fresno State (3-1) plays at No. 23 UNLV (3-0) on Saturday, the Bulldogs apparently will be facing a backup quarterback, after the Rebels starting quarterback, Matthew Sluka, announced on social media Tuesday night that he will sit out the rest of this season and use a redshirt year.

It is unclear what his future plans are beyond that, and what exactly led to this decision, but he hinted at a possible reason in his post announcing the decision.

“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” wrote Sluka 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.”

Sluka came to UNLV in the offseason as a graduate transfer, after spending the previous four years at Holy Cross, where he was a two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the outstanding offensive player in FCS football.

Last season, he was voted the Patriot League’s Offensive Player of the Year when he accounted for 2,975 total yards, and threw for 20 touchdowns.

He also set the NCAA Division I record for rush yards in a game by a quarterback with 330 vs. Lafayette.

After winning a three-way quarterback battle in fall camp at UNLV, Sluka led the Rebels to its first 3-0 start since Randall Cunningham was behind center in 1984, and a top 25 national ranking (No. 23 in USA TODAY Coaches Poll this week) for the first time since the program moved to Division 1 in 1978.

On this week’s UNLV depth chart, senior transfer Hajj-Malik Williams and senior Cameron Friel are listed as the backups to Sluka at quarterback.

Williams arrived in time for UNLV spring ball from Campbell University, an FCS school located in Buies Creek, NC.

He spent five years at the FCS school, and left as the Camels’ career passing leader in yards (8,236) and touchdowns (58).

In the UNLV spring game, Williams completed 14-of-22 passes for 227 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Williams has seen action in two games for the Rebels this season. He has yet to throw a pass, but has rushed 10 times for 88 yards.

This is Friel’s fourth year at UNLV. He has 10 career starts behind center, including eight as a true freshman in 2021, when he was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year.

He only appeared in one game last season as a junior, and has appeared in one game this season, having completed his only pass attempt for 30 yards, and rushed four times for 8 yards and a touchdown, in the Rebels blowout win over Utah Tech.

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