- May 21, 2026
- 0
- 0
SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will miss the remainder of the season following knee surgery, first-year coach Bob Chesney announced Monday.
The injury occurred late in the first half of UCLA's 17-15 victory over then-No. 13 Oregon on Oct. 10. Iamaleava scrambled and was tackled by two defenders, twisting his left leg. He briefly returned but threw an interception before halftime and did not play again.
"It's severe," Chesney said of the injury.
Iamaleava finishes his second season with the Bruins with 982 passing yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions, plus 144 rushing yards and one touchdown. The former Tennessee transfer had helped ninth-ranked UCLA to a 6-0 start.
Backup Ty Dieffenbach replaced Iamaleava against Oregon and made his first career FBS start in a 17-7 win over Wisconsin, completing 22 of 33 passes for 264 yards.
The Bruins (6-0, 4-0 Big Ten) face Michigan State on Saturday.
Mickey's Angle: UCLA's undefeated run now rides on Dieffenbach's arm. The backup looked steady against Wisconsin, but Michigan State and the rest of the Big Ten schedule will test whether the Bruins can stay in the playoff hunt without their starter.
Source: ESPN - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.