Two of the most important figures in the last 50 years of Holy Cross football are teaming up again in what feels like a perfect situation for everyone involved.
On Tuesday, numerous reports stated that Matt Sluka was heading to James Madison to join head coach Bob Chesney’s squad after spending a tumultuous few months at UNLV this past season. Sluka becomes just the latest player or staff member to make the jump from HC to JMU, a statement on Chesney’s ability to connect with people.
Sluka only appeared in three games for the Rebels before the now infamous NIL payment issue with the program. Sluka of course left the team, unwillingly serving as the poster boy for what’s wrong with the NIL era in college football, a situation where all sides of it probably could have handled things better. Regardless, Sluka has been staying locked in, staying in shape and throwing. Chesney and Sluka did a whole lot of winning together in Worcester and hope to rekindle that magic again after the Dukes already had another impressive 9-4 season and the first ever bowl game victory for JMU in Chesney’s first year.
After throwing just 35 passes for 187 yards with two touchdowns (234 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns) as a freshman, the Crusaders became The Sluka Show from 2021-2023.
Sluka threw for 1,495 yards (11 TD) and ran for 868 with 14 rushing touchdowns in 2021, leading the Crusaders to a historic home playoff win over Sacred Heart. In 2022, he made a case to be the be the best FCS player in the country with 2,491 passing yards (26 TD/4 interceptions) and 1,234 yards rushing (11 TD) with the Crusaders beating UNH at home in the second round of the FCS playoffs. As a senior, he threw for 1,723 yards, 20 touchdowns (just 5 picks) and ran for 1,243 yards and 9 touchdowns. Holy Cross earned a share of its fifth straight Patriot League title, but did not get into the 24-team tournament.
Before all the issues this fall came up, Sluka had the Rebels 3-0 and ranked in the Top 25 after winning the starting job. He was 21/48 with 318 yards and 6 touchdowns with one interception. He also ran for 253 yards on 39 carries with one score.
With his former OC and quarterback coach Dean Kennedy also at JMU with Chesney, Sluka has a very good opportunity to not only get any perceived negativity off of him from the ugly story, but more importantly, show the NFL that he’s worth taking a chance on in 2026.
With a big year in a comfortable situation both on and off the field, the name Matt Sluka could once again be known more for on-field abilities than what did or didn’t happen with an NIL deal.