UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka said he won't play any more games this season for the undefeated Rebels, citing “certain representations” the program isn't living up to.
Sluka announced his decision in a social media post Tuesday night, adding that he will be redshirting this year.
“I committed to UNLV based on certain statements made to me that were not followed through on after I enrolled,” Sluka posted on X. “Despite conversations, it became clear that these commitments would not be met moving forward. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and look forward to continued success for the program.”
– Matthew Sluka (@MatthewSluka) September 25, 2024
Sluka did not detail the reasons behind his decision, but college athletes now routinely receive payments for their name, image and likeness from third-party companies or organizations called collectives, which cater to athletes from a particular school.
NCAA redshirt rules allow players to retain a year of eligibility if they play four games or fewer in a season. Sluka, who played four seasons (2020-23) at Holy Cross before transferring to UNLV last offseason, still has one more year of eligibility that he could use at another school next season.
NCAA rules do not allow players to play for two schools within the same season.
UNLV is 3-0 for the first time since 1984 and was ranked 53 points overall in the latest Associated Press poll, just 16 points behind No. 25 Boise State. The Rebels, who defeated Kansas on the road in Week 3, also started the season with a win against Houston, leaving them with a 2-0 record against Big 12 teams and raising hopes that 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 score.
Sluka spent the first four years of his college career at FCS program Holy Cross, where he ranks first in career passing efficiency (147.4), second in career rushing yards (3,583), second in career rushing touchdowns (38), fifth in career passing yards (5,916) and fifth in career passing touchdowns (59). He rushed for an NCAA Division I quarterback record 330 yards in a loss to Lafayette in 2023.
Holy Cross made the FCS playoffs in 2021 and 2022 with Sluka as the starter. After a coaching change at Holy Cross (head coach Bob Chesney left to take over at James Madison), Sluka is gone as well.
In UNLV's 23-20 upset win at Kansas on Sept. 13, Sluka led the Rebels on an 18-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Kylin James scoring on fourth down from the 1-yard line with 1:51 left. Sluka rushed for 113 yards in the game.
With Sluka no longer on the field, UNLV will likely turn to veteran transfer Hajj-Malik Williams or veteran Cameron Friel as its starting quarterback. The Rebels, who did not play last weekend, will host Fresno State in their Mountain West Conference opener on Saturday.
UNLV went 9-5 last season and played for the MW championship, but the quarterback who led that team to the program's best season in nearly 40 years, Jayden Maiava, transferred to USC.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
