UNLV Turns Early Season Controversy into Second Consecutive Bowl Game

Hajj-Malik Williams started the season backing up Holy Cross transfer Matthew Sluka. 

Williams, a Campbell transfer, totaled over 9,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards during his tenure with the Camels.  

However, UNLV head coach Barry Odom ultimately decided on Sluka prior to the season opener against Houston.  

Sluka started the year 3-0, including road victories over Big 12 opponents Houston and Kansas.  

Despite this, Sluka shockingly announced his decision to leave the Rebels due to certain representations made to him by the university not being upheld. He informed the team via social media late on Tuesday, Sep.24, just four nights before UNLV would take on Fresno State at Allegiant Stadium. 

With distractions mounting and controversy swirling, the Rebels needed a statement. 

Williams understood the assignment. The experienced signal caller put on a clinic in a 59-14 beat down for UNLV. 

He completed passes surgically through the air, going 13-16 with 182 yards and three touchdowns. Williams led the Rebels with 119 rushing yards on 12 carries and added another touchdown.  

Since then, Williams has passed for over 225 yards or rushed for over 100 in five of the last six contests for UNLV. 

Overall, the senior quarterback has 1,436 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Additionally, Williams is averaging 5.9 yards per carry to the tune of 646 yards and eight more scores. 

While UNLV struggled prior to Coach Odom’s hire, the former SEC coach is no stranger to turning programs around. 

Odom took the head coaching job at his alma mater Missouri for the 2016 campaign following a 5-7 season the year before. 

Prior to accepting his current job, UNLV finished with a sub .500 record nine times in a row. With Odom, the Rebels finished the 2023 regular season 9-3 and they own an 8-2 record with just two games to play this season. 

Although an explosive offense plays a significant role, the turnaround at UNLV could not have been done without significant improvements to the defense via the transfer portal. 

This season, Odom brought in one of his leading tacklers, Texas transfer Jalen Catalon.  

Catalon, a four-star recruit out of high school, committed to Arkansas, where he played under Odom in three of four seasons. In Catalon’s first season playing with Odom at Arkansas in 2020, he exploded for 99 total tackles, a career high by a wide margin. 

Thus far in 2024, Catalon is on pace for a similar season. The senior safety has been all over the field with 73 tackles and a career high five interceptions, surpassing his mark of three in 2020. 

Next, Odom brought in Arkansas transfer Mani Powell. Powell, a linebacker who received minimal snaps during his freshman season with the Hogs, ranks fifth for UNLV with 47 total tackles.  

Finally, Jackson State transfer Antonio Doyle Jr joined the Rebels this offseason. Doyle Jr committed to Texas A&M as a four-star defensive end out of high school. This season with UNLV, Doyle Jr has career high numbers in tackles (46) and sacks (5) with two games to play. 

UNLV clinched a bowl game, however do not control their own destiny for the conference championship. 

With its only conference loss being to current College Football Playoff team Boise State, the Rebels are looking for help from Colorado State. 

CSU takes on Fresno State and Utah State to close out the season, and UNLV will need the Rams to drop one of those to have a chance at the Mountain West Title Game.  

No matter the outcome, Williams and Odom have helped revitalize a fanbase that has been looking for a reason to celebrate for nearly a decade.