UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava could miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee, coach Bob Chesney said, though doctors haven’t made a final determination. The uncertainty comes as the No. 12 Bruins enter Saturday’s game against Wisconsin with a 5-0 overall record and a 3-0 mark in the Big Ten.
The Injury and the Decision
Chesney described Iamaleava’s possible absence as a “serious concern” at his weekly news conference Monday. He said the medical team hadn’t reached a final decision and that the team was seeking further opinions.
“I’m going to wait for our doctors to make the final call,” Chesney said. “There is some serious concern at the moment. But at the same point in time, there’s nothing that has been fully ruled at this moment. There’s still other opinions and other people we want to talk to, to make sure everyone sees it the same way.”
Iamaleava injured his knee just before halftime of UCLA’s 17-15 victory over Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 10. He scrambled for a first down, and two defenders sandwiched him. Chesney said doctors hadn’t fully ruled out any outcome.
The 22-year-old is playing his second season in Westwood after transferring from Tennessee. This season, he has thrown for 982 yards, completed 62.1% of his attempts, and recorded four touchdowns and four interceptions. He also contributes to the Bruins’ rushing attack.
The Available Quarterbacks
Ty Dieffenbach replaced Iamaleava in the second half against Oregon. Dieffenbach threw for 43 yards and a touchdown in the Bruins’ 17-15 win.
Sophomore Madden Iamaleava, Nico’s younger brother, is another quarterback option. According to the report, neither Dieffenbach nor Madden Iamaleava has started a Football Subdivision Game.
UCLA will host Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. Wisconsin is 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The Bruins are 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten.
A Roster Decision Still Pending
Chesney’s comments leave Iamaleava’s status unsettled before the Wisconsin game. Doctors haven’t made their final call, he said, and the team is seeking further opinions and having more conversations as part of the process.
The Oregon game brought the injury and the immediate replacement: Iamaleava was hurt while scrambling for a first down shortly before halftime, then Dieffenbach took over after the break. UCLA won 17-15. Dieffenbach threw for a touchdown and 43 yards.
The available information doesn’t establish whether Iamaleava will play again this season. Chesney said the possibility that he could miss the remainder of the season remains a serious concern, while also saying nothing had been fully ruled out. Doctors still have to make their determination.
UCLA’s listed options include Dieffenbach, who played in the second half against Oregon, and Madden Iamaleava, who hasn’t started a Football Subdivision Game. The Bruins’ 5-0 record and Saturday matchup with Wisconsin remain on the schedule as the team awaits a decision on its injured quarterback.