- May 21, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava says he is "heartbroken" that his season has ended due to injury.
Iamaleava was hurt during a win at Oregon on Oct. 11. Late in the first half, he was tackled by two defenders and his left leg appeared to get twisted. He returned after missing one play but did not come out for the second half.
"Well, I'm heartbroken the way my season ended," he wrote Thursday on Instagram in his first public comments. "This wasn't a part of the plan, but I believe everything happens for a reason."
Coach Bob Chesney confirmed the following week that Iamaleava would miss the rest of the season and was expected to have surgery.
In his time this season, Iamaleava threw for 982 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions, and ran for 144 yards and one touchdown.
The seventh-ranked Bruins (7-0) host Nevada (3-4) on Saturday. Ty Dieffenbach will make his third start in place of Iamaleava. The senior has passed for 505 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Iamaleava transferred from Tennessee in April 2025 and has one year of eligibility remaining.
Mickey's Angle: The Bruins are undefeated, but losing your starting QB is always a tough break. Keep an eye on whether Dieffenbach can keep the offense rolling against Nevada and beyond.
Source: ESPN (also reported by CBS Sports) - written by Mickey the Mouth from the original report.