UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka said he will not play any more games for the undefeated Rebels this season, citing “certain assurances” that the program has not kept.
Sluka announced his decision in a social media post late Tuesday night, adding that he will take advantage of his redshirt this year.
“I chose UNLV based on certain promises that were made to me, but were not kept after I enrolled,” Sluka posted on X. “Despite discussions, it became clear that those promises 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.”
— Matthew Sluka (@MatthewSluka) 25 September 2024
Sluka did not detail the reasons for his decision, but college athletes are now routinely paid for their name, image and likeness by companies or third-party organizations called collectives that manage the athletes of a particular school.
The NCAA’s redshirt rules allow players to retain a year of eligibility if they play four or fewer games in a season. Sluka, who played four seasons (2020-23) at Holy Cross before transferring to UNLV last offseason, has another year of eligibility that he could use next season at another school.
NCAA rules do not allow players to play for two schools in the same season.
UNLV is 3-0 for the first time since 1984 and received a total of 53 points in the latest Associated Press poll, just 16 points behind No. 25 Boise State. The Rebels, who beat Kansas on the road in Week 3, also began the season with a win over Houston, giving them a 2-0 record against Big 12 teams and raising hopes they could compete for a spot in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
Sluka has completed 21 of 48 passes for 318 yards and six touchdowns with one interception this season, his first with the Rebels. The senior transfer has also rushed 39 times for 286 yards and one touchdown.
Sluka spent the first four years of his college career at FCS program Holy Cross, where he ranks first in passing efficiency (147.4), second in rushing yards (3,583), second in rushing touchdowns (38), fifth in passing yards (5,916), and fifth in passing touchdowns (59). He rushed for an NCAA Division I quarterback record 330 yards in a 2023 loss to Lafayette.
Holy Cross reached the FCS playoffs in 2021 and 2022 with Sluka as the starter. After a coaching change at Holy Cross – head coach Bob Chesney left the team to take over at James Madison – Sluka also moved on.
In UNLV’s 23-20 upset win at Kansas on Sept. 13, Sluka led the Rebels on an 18-play, 75-yard run that ended with Kylin James scoring on fourth down from the 1-yard line with 1:51 left. Sluka rushed for 113 yards in that game.
With Sluka now out of the running, UNLV will likely rely on either senior transfer Hajj-Malik Williams or senior Cameron Friel as its starting quarterback. The Rebels, who had a bye weekend last year, host Fresno State in their Mountain West Conference opener on Saturday.
UNLV finished 9-5 last season and played for the Mountain West Conference championship, but the quarterback who led the team to the program’s best season in nearly 40 years, Jayden Maiava, transferred to USC.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
