UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka leaves team amid playoff pressure

UNLV's path to the playoffs became more dangerous on Tuesday when starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced his immediate retirement from the team.

Sluka, a fifth-year senior, posted on social media that he intends to be ineligible for the remainder of the 2024 season and preserve his final year of eligibility:

“I have decided to take advantage of my redshirt year and will not play any more games this season,” Sluka wrote. “I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”

The move comes just four days before UNLV hosts Fresno State at Allegiant Stadium for the opening game of the Mountain West series.

After winning a drawn-out battle in training camp, Sluka started the first three games and helped UNLV get off to a 3-0 start, turning the Scarlet and Gray into serious contenders for a College Football Playoff spot. Sluka was particularly impressive in a 23-20 win at Kansas on Sept. 13, leading a game-winning charge in the fourth quarter.

Following Kansas' win, UNLV landed at No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, the first time the program has ever been ranked. On Sunday, UNLV rose two spots to No. 23.

Sluka transferred to UNLV from Holy Cross, where he found success as a passer and runner in video games. In the first three games of the 2024 season, he completed 43.8% of his passes for 318 yards and six touchdowns; he was more effective with his legs, running for 253 yards and a touchdown.

Against Kansas, Sluka handled the ball 19 times, achieving a team-best 124 yards.

With Sluka out, UNLV will likely look to sophomore quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams as the starter against Fresno State. Williams pushed for the No. 1 spot all offseason and looked good in the spring game, completing 14 of 22 passes for 227 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

As a fifth-year senior, Sluka is eligible to enter the portal at any time, and there will likely be multiple suitors vying for his services. Players are allowed to play in up to four games in a season and still retain their redshirt status, so Sluka has one year of college eligibility remaining.

In his post announcing his departure from UNLV, Sluka cited issues with NIL payments as the reason for his departure.

“I chose UNLV based on certain assurances that were made to me, but were not kept after I enrolled,” he wrote. “Despite discussions, it became clear that those assurances would not be kept in the future.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.