LOS ANGELES — Two days after UCLA football’s program-defining win against Oregon, it received potentially season-altering news.
Read more Federal judge orders Trump administration to halt work for a day on historic DC golf course
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, multiple reports announced.
Head coach Bob Chesney will address Iamaleava’s status during his weekly Monday press conference set for 12:45 p.m. PT.
Iamaleava sustained the injury just before halftime of UCLA’s 17-15 win over Oregon (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) when he tried scrambling for a first down and two defenders sandwiched him, twisting his lower body.
After the break, backup Ty Dieffenbach replaced Iamaleava, managing the game to lift the Bruins (5-0, 3-0), who rose to No. 12 in the Associated Press poll on Sunday.
Dieffenbach was not the solidified second option heading into Saturday. He learned he would be entering midgame. He had earned this opportunity because of a solid week of practice, in which he proved his legs could provide value in the specific matchup with the Ducks, Chesney explained in the postgame press conference.
UCLA has taken a week-to-week approach with its backup quarterback position, thus a battle for the starting position between Dieffenbach and Madden Iamaleava could ensue as the Bruins prepare to play Wisconsin (4-1, 3-0) Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT.
Read more California now has tougher DUI laws. But not this one.
Dieffenbach, a Cal Poly transfer and Agoura High alum, threw for 43 yards and a touchdown in the second half against Oregon. Madden Iamaleava entered in relief of his older brother for a few snaps against Cal and Purdue.
Neither has started an FBS game, as Dieffenbach’s seven starts for Cal Poly were at the FCS level.
Iamaleava’s absence certainly dampens the excitement surrounding UCLA’s College Football Playoff hopes. However, the Bruins have thrived without stellar quarterback play for major parts of this season.
Iamaleava starred in the Bruins’ win over Purdue, throwing for a season-high 276 yards and three touchdowns. But on the season, he’s completed 62.1% of his attempts for 982 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
His lack of production at times hasn’t negatively impacted the Bruins as they’ve rushed for 253.2 yards per game (fourth in FBS).
His dual-threat ability adds to that rushing attack, and will certainly be missed. He’s also grown as a leader in his second season at UCLA since transferring from Tennessee. But because of that ground attack, and a defense that leads the Big Ten in turnovers forced, UCLA still has a chance to achieve everything it wants this season.
Read more A US-brokered ceasefire was supposed to end the war in Gaza. A year later, progress has stalled
More updates to come on this story.