UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava left Saturday’s 17-15 win over Oregon with a lower leg injury sustained late in the first half and did not return in the second half. The Bruins improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play despite losing their starter, while Oregon fell to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference games.
Iamaleava completed 10 of 17 passes for 162 yards and two interceptions. He was brought down by Bear Alexander and Jerry Mixon on a keeper late in the first half, returned briefly, then exited for the second half.
What The Team And Sources Said About The Nico Iamaleava Injury
No official designation, timeline or diagnosis has been reported for the lower leg injury.
Who Replaced Him: Ty Dieffenbach’s Performance
Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach stepped in and threw for 43 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Wayne Knight on a 9-yard scoring pass in the fourth quarter. UCLA coach Bob Chesney praised Dieffenbach’s readiness after the game.
“When someone goes down and someone’s got to step up, I say it every single time, is that you’re either exposed or you’re revealed, right? One of the two is gonna happen. When your number gets called, for Ty to step up in that moment, when Nico couldn’t go, and he put himself in a spot where he was revealed for knowing our run game, knowing what to get us into,” Chesney said.
With no announced change to the depth chart beyond Saturday’s game, Dieffenbach remains the next option behind Iamaleava if the starter is unavailable going forward.
Season Context: Iamaleava’s Role And UCLA’s Win
Through five games, Iamaleava has led UCLA’s unbeaten start. Against Oregon, he completed 10 of 17 passes for 162 yards and two interceptions before the injury forced his exit.
Knight, who rushed for 103 yards on 22 carries with three receptions for 12 yards, scored on both a 35-yard run and a 9-yard receiving touchdown. UCLA’s defense forced seven of the game’s 10 total turnovers and has 10 interceptions this season, most in the nation. The Bruins sealed the win by stuffing Jordon Davison on a two-point conversion try late in the game, after a face mask penalty had given Oregon a second chance from a half yard away.
What’s Next For UCLA And Iamaleava
UCLA has not announced Iamaleava’s availability for the team’s next game. Updates on his status are expected from the team’s official channels as the 5-0 Bruins continue their Big Ten schedule.
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