LOS ANGELES — UCLA coach Bob Chesney said Monday that quarterback Nico Iamaleava could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, though doctors haven’t made a final determination. The medical team will make the call, Chesney said, as UCLA prepares to host Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.
“I’m going to wait for our doctors to make the final call,” Chesney said at his weekly news conference. “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 are still other opinions and other people we want to talk to, to make sure everyone sees it the same way.”
Iamaleava suffered the injury just before halftime of UCLA’s 17-15 victory over Oregon on Saturday, Oct. 10. He scrambled for a first down before two defenders sandwiched him. Chesney said the injury could sideline the quarterback for the rest of the season, but stressed that doctors haven’t reached a final decision.
The Medical Decision
UCLA is waiting for doctors to reach a conclusion, Chesney said, and the team wants other opinions before making a final call. His comments left open whether Iamaleava will return this season. No final determination came at the news conference.
The potential absence would affect a quarterback who contributes to UCLA’s passing game and rushing attack. In his second season in Westwood after transferring from Tennessee, Iamaleava has thrown for 982 yards, completed 62.1% of his attempts, and recorded four touchdowns and four interceptions. He was injured while scrambling for a first down against Oregon, when two defenders caught him between them.
Quarterback Options
Ty Dieffenbach replaced Iamaleava in the second half against the Ducks. He threw for 43 yards and a touchdown. Dieffenbach could step in if Iamaleava can’t play, but he hasn’t started a Football Subdivision Game.
Sophomore Madden Iamaleava, Nico’s younger brother, is another quarterback option. He also hasn’t started a Football Subdivision Game. The source doesn’t report a decision on who would start if the injured quarterback can’t play.
UCLA is No. 12, with a 5-0 overall record and a 3-0 record in the Big Ten. The Bruins face Wisconsin next. Wisconsin is 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, and the teams are scheduled to meet Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
What Remains Unsettled
Chesney’s comments confirm the concern, not the outcome. He said nothing had been fully ruled out and that UCLA still wanted to consult other people and get additional opinions. Doctors still need to make the final determination on the possible season-ending injury.
The known facts are limited. Iamaleava was hurt against Oregon, UCLA used Dieffenbach in the second half, and neither named backup has started a Football Subdivision Game. UCLA’s 5-0 record and its upcoming game against Wisconsin frame the decision, but Chesney didn’t say whether Iamaleava would be available Saturday.