UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will miss the rest of the 2026 season with a knee injury suffered Saturday against Oregon, according to CBS Sports. Senior Ty Dieffenbach takes over as the starter for the No. 12 Bruins’ remaining games.
Iamaleava got tangled awkwardly between two Oregon defenders during UCLA’s 17-15 win over Oregon on Saturday. He had thrown two interceptions before exiting. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported there is no official timeline pending medical evaluation, describing him as “out indefinitely.”s 17-15 win over Oregon, which kept the Bruins unbeaten at 5-0 heading into the injury.
He had already thrown two interceptions before leaving the game. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported there is no official timeline for his return pending a medical evaluation, describing Iamaleava as “out indefinitely.”
Injury Designation And Timeline
CBS Sports reported Iamaleava will miss the remainder of the season. No specific recovery timeline has been announced. The injury cost UCLA its starting quarterback while the Bruins sit at 5-0 and ranked No. 12 in the AP Poll.
Who Replaces Iamaleava
Dieffenbach, a senior who transferred to UCLA from Cal Poly before the 2026 season, is set to take over as the starting quarterback for the rest of the year. He entered against Oregon and completed three of six passes for 43 yards and a touchdown in relief.
UCLA head coach Bob Chesney praised Dieffenbach’s performance after the game. “When someone goes down and someone has to step up, I say it every single time… you’re either exposed or you’re revealed. One of the two is going to happen when your number gets called.
For Ty to step up in that moment when Nico couldn’t go, he put himself in a spot where he was revealed for knowing the run game and getting us into the touchdown pass,” Chesney said. The sources do not name any other backup quarterback options behind Dieffenbach.
Iamaleava’s Season And Career Context
Iamaleava completed 62.1% of his passes for 982 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions in four-plus games this season, with 144 rushing yards and a touchdown. The former five-star recruit transferred from Tennessee before the 2025 season after leading the Volunteers to the 2024 College Football Playoff. NFL scouts had viewed him as an ascending top three-round prospect, but the injury will likely affect his draft timeline and stock.
What’s Next For UCLA
No. 12 UCLA faces 4-1 Wisconsin on Saturday in Week 7, the Bruins’ first game with Dieffenbach as the starter. The matchup will test how the offense adapts with its new quarterback.
More College Football news from Total Apex Sports.
Additional reporting via Tennessee’s official site.
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