ESPN host scolds former UNLV quarterback over NIL drama: 'Can’t just bail on the team'

Keyshawn Johnson reacts to the news that UNLV QB Matthew Sluka is leaving the school over $100K NIL dispute. "Small schools are pump-faking!"

The UNLV Rebels had no problem handling the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday night, days after quarterback Matthew Sluka decided to leave the program after an NIL dispute.

Before the Rebel’s 59-14 win, ESPN broadcaster Rece Davis made his opinion known about the Sluka situation on "College Gameday."

"It is probably true that he was promised something, likely, and it was not delivered," Davis said, via Awful Announcing. "That’s likely true. It is obviously true he did not have it in writing.

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UNLV Rebels quarterback Matthew Sluka runs the ball against the Jayhawks at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Sept. 13, 2024. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)

"If you make a dumb mistake in life, if I do, if Matthew Sluka does, or whoever, sometimes you have to wear that, man. And going in there and expecting something without writing, and then they don’t give it to you, you can’t just bail on the team. You’ve gotta wear the fastball in the ribs sometimes and go ‘That was my bad.’"

Sluka announced Wednesday night he was leaving the team amid a 3-0 start, alleging that certain commitments weren’t fulfilled when he decided to transfer from Holy Cross to UNLV.

"I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled," Sluka said in a statement posted to X. "Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program."

Rece Davis on ESPN's