UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka is leaving the team effective immediately, he announced late Tuesday night. In a statement posted to his Twitter account, Sluka alluded to unmet commitments from UNLV's collective arm as his reason for stepping away.
The announcement comes days before UNLV is set to play in its fourth game, their Mountain West opener with Fresno State (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1). The Rebels, 3-0 with two wins over Big 12 teams, are legitimate contenders for the MW title and a College Football Playoff berth.
"I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing any additional games this season," Sluka said in a statement posted to his Twitter account. "I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled. Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates best of luck this season and hope for the continued success in the program."
Two words in Sluka's statement -- "Despite discussions" -- indicate Sluka likely floated and eventually threatened this move as a possibility, but one imagines UNLV and/or its collective never imagined it would happen Sluka's actually hit "send" on his announcement.
— Matthew Sluka (@MatthewSluka) September 25, 2024
Sluka transferred to UNLV this offseason from Holy Cross, where he was a 3-year starter and a 2-time Walter Payton Award finalist, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman. He left Holy Cross as the school's all-time leader in passing efficiency while also ranking second in career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Sluka has thrown all but two passes to date this season, hitting 21-of-48 throws for 318 yards with six touchdowns and one interception while also leading the team with 39 carries for 253 yards and one touchdown. With him now out of the picture, Barry Odom's team will now turn to either Cameron Friel, a senior who was the Mountain West's freshman of the year in 2021 who was demoted to a backup the past three seasons, or Hajj-Malik Williams, another FCS transfer (Campbell).
UNLV acquired Sluka and Williams last winter after its former starter, Jayden Maiava, cashed in on its 2023 success by transferring to USC, where he is now a backup.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.