UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava was out for the Bruins after he suffered an injury in what was a struggling first half in the win over Oregon.
Iamaleava did not come out for the Bruins offense to start the second half for UCLA, with backup Ty Dieffenbach behind center.
Advertisement
It’s unclear why Dieffenbach is in at quarterback for UCLA — whether if it’s because Iamaleava is hurt or for a different pace. Iamaleava turned the ball over three times in the first half of the game on Saturday, Oct. 10, including twice in the last 90 seconds of the second quarter.
Iamaleava also appeared to be injured during that timeframe. He was scrambling on a play when he was tackled by Oregon’s Bear Alexander and Jerry Mixon. During the tackle, it appeared Iamaleava hurt something in his left leg as he appeared to also take a punch from Alexander at the same time.
He stayed on the ground and was attended to by medical personnel.
He was able to get up on his power and actually only missed one play before he returned to the field. On his first play back, he threw an interception.
Advertisement
When asked by CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell what happened to Iamaleava, UCLA coach Bob Chesney said, “He’s fine.”
“He just got hit in the quad a little bit. He’s fine,” Chesney said.
He finished the first half 10-for-16 with 162 yards and two interceptions, including a fumble at the UCLA 1-yard line that resulted in Oregon’s lone score of the first half.
Dell reported Iamaleava did not come out with the team for the second half as the injury is worse than expected. She added Iamaleava’s family went into the locker room with the quarterback.
Advertisement
Iamaleava came out of the locker toward the end of the third quarter and was in a sweater and without a helmet, signaling he would not return for the game.
While UCLA was able to pull off the major win, it’s a potentially serious injury for the Bruins as Iamaleava has been UCLA’s starting quarterback all season.
Dieffenbach is a transfer from Cal Poly in his first season with the Bruins. Last season, he played in 11 games and threw for 1,305 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions
Prior to Cal Poly, he spent two seasons with Pittsburgh.
This was the first game for Dieffenbach with UCLA, and he stepped up when he needed to. He went 3-for-6 with 43 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass to Wayne Knight in the fourth quarter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nico Iamaleava injury update: UCLA QB leaves with leg injury vs Oregon
