UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced Wednesday that he plans to sit out the 2024 season and will therefore not play again.

Sluka appeared to indicate in a statement that he plans to transfer and play elsewhere next season, writing, “I committed to UNLV based on certain representations made to me that were not honored after I enrolled. Despite discussions, it became apparent that these commitments would not be honored going forward.”

With Sluka leading the way, the Rebels have started 3-0 and are among the best teams in the non-power conference in FBS.

While they fall outside the Associated Press Top 25, they received 53 votes in the most recent poll, making them the de facto 29th-ranked team in the country. UNLV also ranks No. 23 in the Coaches Poll.

Sluka, a senior, is completing just 43.8 percent of his passes this season, but has thrown for 318 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception.

He is especially effective with his legs, rushing for 253 yards and one score. In a 23-20 upset win over Kansas on Sept. 13, Sluka rushed for 124 yards and threw a touchdown pass.

Before heading to UNLV, the quarterback from Locust Valley, New York, played four years at FCS Holy Cross.

In 2022, he threw for 2,491 yards, 26 touchdowns and four interceptions, while also rushing for 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns. Last season, he followed that up with 1,723 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions through the air, plus 1,243 yards and nine scores on the ground.

According to the Associated Press (courtesy of ESPN), Sluka set the Division I single-game rushing record for a quarterback last season, racking up 330 yards against Lafayette.

With Sluka set to move elsewhere, backup quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams is set to become the new starter at UNLV, according to Mike Grimala of the Las Vegas sun.

Williams hasn’t attempted a pass this season, but like Sluka, he showed his mobility by rushing 10 times for 88 yards.

Before arriving at UNLV this year, Williams played five years at FCS Campbell. His best season came in 2023, when he threw for 2,604 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 70.5 percent of his passes.

He also rushed for 265 yards and scored five touchdowns, proving he can do damage with his arm and legs.

Williams is expected to play in UNLV’s Mountain West Conference season opener on Saturday when the Rebels take on Fresno State.

This season may be the biggest ever for teams outside the Power Four conferences, as the top Group of Five team in the College Football Playoff rankings at the end of the season will receive a CFP spot.

Right now, UNLV is one of the leading candidates to secure that spot, along with No. 25 Boise State, which is 2-1 and only lost by three points away to No. 8 Oregon.