A surprising twist has unfolded in the college football scene, as a sudden departure has led to an unexpected boost in performance. When quarterback Matthew Sluka announced his decision to leave his team earlier this week, it seemed like a daunting task to prepare his replacement, Hajj-Malik Williams, on short notice, especially with a tough opponent like Fresno State on the horizon. However, Williams has proven to be a revelation, outshining Sluka’s performance and leaving many wondering why he wasn’t given the starting job from the beginning.
Both Sluka and Williams joined the team during the offseason and competed for the top spot. While Sluka showed flashes of brilliance as a dynamic runner, his passing game left much to be desired, completing only 43.8 percent of his throws for 318 yards in three starts. In contrast, Williams took the field and impressed with an 11-14 completion rate, amassing 158 yards and two touchdowns in just over a half.
It appears that the team is in good hands with Williams at the helm. If Sluka’s decision to leave was indeed prompted by a broken promise of a lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal, it’s unfortunate, but it must be a bitter pill to swallow knowing that his former team is thriving without him. Sluka’s 48 percent passing accuracy may not be in high demand, especially considering his limitations in leading a Group of Five offense.
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