LAS VEGAS – Hajj-Malik Williams threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score, Ricky White III returned a blocked punt for a score and caught two touchdown passes, and Jai’Den Thomas threw a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown as undefeated UNLV earned a 59-14 victory over Fresno State in the Rebels’ conference opener on Saturday.

UNLV (4-0, 1-0 Mountain West) opened conference play without starting quarterback Matthew Sluka, but never missed an opportunity with Williams directing the offense. Sluka, who moved to the Rebels from Holy Cross, announced on Wednesday through his agent that he would sit out the rest of the season due to a NIL 100,000 payment that he said was promised before the transfer but never paid.

Williams scored on a 6-yard run to give UNLV a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Rashod Tanner blocked a Clay Lawrence punt with 27 seconds left, and White picked it up and ran the final 13 yards for a 14-0 lead.

Williams connected with White for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:57 left before halftime and the Rebels led 21-0 at the break.

Williams extended UNLV’s lead to four touchdowns with a 17-yard scoring toss from Kaleo Ballungay in the third quarter, and Caden Chittenden’s 45-yard field goal made it 31-0 in the fourth quarter.

Eight seconds into the final quarter, Williams hit White for a 15-yard touchdown. Thomas had a 7-yard touchdown run before his kickoff return score. Cameron Friel capped the score with 3:10 left on a 1-yard run.

Williams completed 13 of 16 passes for 182 yards. He also carried 12 carries for 119 yards. White finished the game with 10 balls for 127 yards.

Mikey Keene totaled 316 yards on 27-for-41 passing with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Mac Dalena in the fourth quarter and two interceptions for Fresno State (3-2 1-1). Raylen Sharpe threw ten passes for 116 yards. The Bulldogs rushed for just 30 yards on 31 carries.

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