How UNLV ended up being the unlikely center of the college football

• Max Olson Close Max Olson ESPN Staff Writer Covers the Huge 12 Signed up with ESPN in 2012 Graduate of

• the University of Nebraska Kyle Bonagura Close Kyle Bonagura ESPN Staff Author Covers college football.Joined ESPN in 2014. Gone To Washington State University.Oct 2

  , 2024, 07:00 AM

  ET LAS VEGAS– Erick Harper covered his head football coach in a hug.

• The UNLV athletic director satisfied Barry Odom at

the objective line inside Allegiant Stadium and accepted for one long moment Saturday afternoon before strolling off the field together.They had just reached brand-new heights in the apparently endless roller-coaster ride they were on, a 59-14 blowout win over Fresno State in which the Rebels

were dominant in every way. Still, they looked more tired than exhilarated. “You take a look at each other like, ‘It’s been a difficult week, however I take pride in how you handled today. I’m proud of how you’ve led this team,’ “Harper stated.”There’s more for us out

there.”Recently, UNLV ended up being the not likely center of the college football universe as it navigated 2 distinct scenarios, both of which could assist shape the future of the sport. Harper arrived at a defining decision for the university, turning down overtures from the rebuilding Pac-12 to remain in the Mountain West. This played out as Odom dealt with his beginning quarterback giving up the group over NIL settlement and a public back and forth about what might or might not have actually been promised. Erick Harper welcomed Barry Odom after Saturday’s game. Max Olson On their own, either situation would have been testing for an athletic department.”It’s been great in the sense that we wished to be on the nationwide scene,”Harper stated.”We got there, we just didn’t understand it ‘d all be in one week.”Ultimately, the school landed somewhere it feels comfy. The football team moved into the AP Top 25 on Sunday for the first time in program history, and a Mountain West title– with a prospective berth in the broadened, 12-team College Football Playoff– is a sensible objective.The Rebels are trying to go places they have actually never ever been in the past– including a Power 4 autonomy conference– and with that comes brand-new difficulties and a more extreme spotlight.”Regrettably, it’s not constantly going to be warm and 75, “Odom stated.”There are things that occur and you work together, you find

a way to continue to move the program and the athletic department forward. I know our management is strong and, you know, sadly, there’s no experience like sitting in the chair.”WHEN NEWS BROKE on Sept. 11 that four Mountain West schools– Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State– were leaving for the Pac-12, Harper had no caution. He discovered the news on social media and was miffed why UNLV had been omitted from the process.”Right away, it was,’ Where ‘d that originate from?'”Harper stated.”

Tell me what choices were made to include those four and not us? And I’m not stating we would’ve leapt in on the first wave, do not get me incorrect.” The next 48 hours didn’t offer much clearness. During a news conference announcing the relocations the next day, San Diego State president Adela de la Torre was inquired about UNLV’s omission and said metrics used by the Pac-12 objectively figured out the “finest four “to be selected.Editor’s Picks 2 Related” I resemble,”What are the metrics?'”Harper said. “Based on what I comprehend, we are

a Research study 1 institution. We’ve got some current success in football performance. We sit in a top-40 market. We have donor support, we have neighborhood assistance. We remain in the sports and entertainment capital of the world. Explain to me how some of those other schools can compare?” If we try to check out

in between the lines, the

message I got is we’re unsatisfactory. I’m sorry, however I do believe we are.” After the Pac-12 added the 4 Mountain West schools, its main focus moved to the American Athletic Conference, with the hope to siphon a few of its top schools– with Memphis as the top priority– to create a best-of-the-rest football conference outside the Power 4. As those discussions occurred, Mountain West commissioner

Gloria Nevarez worked to support her conference’s remaining membership, knowing the likelihood of the Pac-12 circling around back. After Memphis, Tulane, UTSA and South Florida all released declarations last Monday reaffirming their commitment to the AAC, the Pac-12’s focus shifted back to the Mountain West.On that same day, the Mountain West started gathering signed dedications from member schools to stay in the conference, consisting of one from UNLV. Nevertheless, those were asserted on all 8 remaining schools agreeing to stay. When Utah State decided to leap to the Pac-12 that night, all bets were off. UNLV pulled back from its promise to the Mountain West and reconsidered a move to the Pac-12. Harper and UNLV president Keith Whitfield remained in near-constant contact by phone or personally– mostly in Harper’s office, where he had piles of handwritten notes, typed notes and other documents they would use to inform their choice.”Neither one of us has been through this before, but we wished to make certain that we were on the exact same page,”Harper said.One challenging part of the procedure, Harper stated, was that any choice was going to be made mainly based upon forecasts. The Pac-12 couldn’t provide a financial assurance about distribution without a media rights offer. The Mountain West doesn’t have a deal beyond the 2025-26 school year, either. It was safe to presume the distributions would eventually be better due to the fact that of the Pac-12’s more powerful lineup of schools, but it’s uncertain by how much.With the five departing schools expected to pay about $18 million each in exit charges, the Mountain West found itself in a position to where it might utilize those funds to

incentivize UNLV– and others– to stay.But as all of this was being figured out, UNLV found itself thrust into the nationwide spotlight for a various factor. Matthew Sluka left the UNLV football program recently. Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire LAST MONDAY, MATTHEW SLUKA was UNLV’s beginning quarterback. On Tuesday, he was missing from practice. By Wednesday, he was gone.The finish transfer quarterback from Holy Cross had an additional season of eligibility following a decorated four-year run in the Patriot League and moved across the nation to dip into the FBS level. His dad and agent both declare he was verbally guaranteed$100,000 by offensive planner Brennan Marion throughout his recruitment. The issue? They never ever got that arrangement in writing with UNLV’s NIL collective or leadership.After receiving just$3,000 from the cumulative for a neighborhood event, Sluka’s agent, Marcus Cromartie, connected in late August to discuss the quarterback’s deal. His father, Bob Sluka, said payments kept getting postponed. When it ended up being clear the cash wasn’t coming, Matthew Sluka opted to redshirt for the remainder of the season and transfer in December. From Sluka’s viewpoint, this wasn’t about demanding more money after a 3-0 start, it was about getting what he thought he was initially owed. “We have no concept what the hell took place,” Bob Sluka told ESPN. “No one can describe this. Why would you let your starting quarterback leave of the building?”Previous Holy Cross coach Bob Chesney informed reporters Monday that Sluka rejected more cash from Power 4 programs this spring– in the series of $350,000 to$

600,000– out of commitment to his dedication to UNLV.”Whatever occurred there, I can’t necessarily speak to, but I can guarantee you that it has nothing to do with money,”said Chesney, who’s now leading James Madison. “Perhaps trust and [keeping your] word and things of that nature.”UNLV officials have actually stated bit publicly about their side of the story. In a declaration last Wednesday, the school stated Sluka’s “representatives made financial needs upon the University and its NIL cumulative in order to continue playing.”The school added that it viewed those demands for payment as impermissible pay-for-play and didn’t react to “indicated hazards. “Harper said all football-related NIL transactions

go through Odom, not assistant coaches, and he’s confident the school has actually managed the concern properly. “We have actually done our due diligence and we proceed,”Harper said.”I wish Sluka the best.” Last Wednesday morning, a representative for Circa Resort and Gambling Establishment CEO Derek Stevens called UNLV to ask if he could cover the$ 100,000 to keep Sluka on the team and keep the program’s CFP hopes alive. By then, it was too late.But Odom sensed they were going to be simply great. Sluka’s unexpected exit was an unmatched twist to an appealing season, however players weren’t panicking. “I thought our Tuesday practice was the very best one we’ve had all year,”Odom said.”I thought our Wednesday was even much better than that.” Barry Odom is confident in the direction his football group is heading. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images BY THE TIME the Sluka mess had actually primarily been handled, Harper and Whitfield had actually inched closer to, again, devoting to a future in the Mountain West.There were useful

conversations with the Pac-12 over the previous 2 days, however the financial plan crafted

by Mountain West chief monetary officer Gary Walenga supplied short-term monetary assurances in a way that UNLV felt it would not have by exiting.UNLV anticipates to receive a swelling sum payment of between $10 to 14 million from the Mountain West in 2025,

with additional payments between$1.5 to $1.8 million every year starting in July 2026. Remaining likewise suggested UNLV would avoid being on the hook for the $18 million exit fee(

less what is thought to have actually been an approximately$6 million portion the Pac-12 would have covered. )Several market sources were puzzled by the decision, citing a belief that the eventual space between the Pac-12 and Mountain West media offers will likely be big enough to settle in the long run.On top of that, there’s what this signals about the school’s ambition.By choosing to line up with the Mountain West, UNLV has grouped itself with schools that have actually not invested in football on the level of their peers in the western part of the nation. At nearly every point in adjustment over the past a number of years, schools have attempted to move to conferences with stronger competitors. UNLV is an outlier, material to stay faithful to a league that lost 5 of its finest brand names within a matter of weeks.As part of the release revealing its decision Thursday, UNLV said it “will also have the flexibility to explore future subscription in a self-governing”Power Four’conference without charge must the chance become available. “While this is technically real, the idea that UNLV will generate interest from a Power 4 conference in the next couple of years is a long shot, at best, and recommending that possibility played a role in staying in the Mountain West is unconvincing.Harper was undeterred by some of the unfavorable reaction that arrived when UNLV revealed it would remain Thursday.”The shots we handled social media for not simply leaping at it immediately– well, often one plus one doesn’t equal two and two plus 2 doesn’t constantly equal four, “he said.

“If I could release all the financials, everyone would understand more of our decision. There’s a lot that still requires to play out, but it’s kind of fascinating how the Memphis advertisement stated [the Pac-12’s deal] was a bad deal for them. I think at this point that’s most likely about all I would say. Yeah, overall intricacy of the offer and all the assessment, it wasn’t a good deal as soon as you take a look at the now, the middle and the future. It didn’t make sense.” UNLV beat Fresno State 59-14 over the weekend. Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire HAJI-MALIK WILLIAMS dropped the football in the end zone, appreciated the crowd and tapped a finger to his left wrist.After punching in his first goal as

a Rebel, a 6-yard operate on a perfectly executed choice keeper, Williams was making a statement: It’s his time now.UNLV’s brand-new starting quarterback is no novice. The sixth-year senior will turn 25 in November. Like Sluka, Williams had an extra season of

eligibility after a record-setting profession at the FCS level at Campbell. He joined this program back in January and worked

to make his colleagues’trust. Williams lost a close competition with Sluka in preseason camp. Now he’s getting his possibility.”He’s a leader,” said senior linebacker Jackson Woodard,

a group captain.”He understands what it takes. He’s the first one in the building.” Twenty minutes before kickoff versus Fresno State, Williams was revealed as UNLV’s starter on Allegiant Stadium videoboards to roaring applause. A young fan had a front-row seat right behind the Rebels’sideline and held up a large white sign: Hey Sluka it’s UNLV not UNILV. Max Olson Williams won over the fan base with ease. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound playmaker showed excellent command of Marion’s Go-Go offense and its triple option principles. He put up huge numbers against the Bulldogs and did so with effectiveness, hitting 13 of 16 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns and turning 12 rushes into 119 backyards and another rating.”The change, it was absolutely good for us,”UNLV receiver Ricky White III said.Odom took care not to load appreciation on his new QB1. Williams played with poise, he stated, however everyone around him stepped up.

4 interceptions on defense. 2 goals on special teams. They never ever routed and never ever doubted. “They were on an objective to try to be as excellent as we can get,”Odom said. “We’re not there yet, but I knew we would take a step this week in galvanizing as a team and continuing to move forward. “The 45-point win in reality was the program’s largest margin of victory in a Mountain West game considering that the league formed in 1999. The Rebels are off to their first 4-0 start because 1976. They have actually strongly established themselves as a frontrunner for the Group of 5 automated quote in the broadened Playoff. Boise State( No. 21)and UNLV (No. 25)are the only G5 teams presently ranked in the AP survey. They’ll fulfill on Oct. 25. As the Rebels made their method off the field after the rout, senior protective lineman Alexander Whitmore held a keepsake from a disorderly week. He folded the fan’s white Sluka indication and took it with him.”We have actually got 109 guys in the locker room now,” Odom stated.”We require all 109 to accept their function, continue to improve in what they’re doing and after that put the team initially.” That’s what White had in mind when he spoke out at the end of UNLV’s postgame news conference. He wished to send out a message to Stevens and Circa Sports.”I would ask that someone connect to the Circa CEO and ask him, with that$ 100,000 that he wanted to donate, provide it to our O-line

please, “White said with a smile.Harper laughed when he heard that line. He says he’s prepared to consult with Stevens and talk about a much grander deal. He knows it’s going to take some severe fundraising if they hope to sustain this success and maintain their head coach.”Donors, get ready,” Harper stated.”Since we’ll be coming and asking.

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