Sports · American Football · 5 hrs ago
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava out for season after knee surgery
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will miss the rest of the season after surgery for a left knee injury.
He was hurt during a 17-15 win over Oregon on Oct.
10, when two defenders tackled him and twisted his leg.
The injury ends his fourth college season and cuts short UCLA’s undefeated start under coach Bob Chesney.
Iamaleava transferred to UCLA from Tennessee last year, after becoming a major recruit and starting for Tennessee in its first College Football Playoff appearance.
His college career has drawn attention for large name, image and likeness deals and a difficult departure from Tennessee.
Backup Ty Dieffenbach has taken over at quarterback and started in UCLA’s 17-7 win over Wisconsin.
The Bruins, ranked ninth and 6-0, host Michigan State on Saturday.
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will miss the rest of the season after a left knee injury against Oregon.
Coach Bob Chesney said Iamaleava had undergone surgery.
The injury happened late in the first half of UCLA’s 17-15 win over Oregon on Oct. 10.
Iamaleava returned for one series after being hurt, threw an interception just before halftime and did not play again.
Backup Ty Dieffenbach finished the Oregon game and made his first career FBS start in UCLA’s win over Wisconsin.
- Who
- Nico Iamaleava, quarterback for UCLA.
- What
- He will miss the rest of the season after knee surgery for an injury sustained against Oregon.
- When
- He was injured on Oct. 10. The season-ending news was reported on Oct. 19.
- Where
- In UCLA’s game against Oregon. The game’s location is not stated.
- Why
- He sustained a knee injury when he was tackled by two Oregon defenders during a scramble.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Iamaleava injured his left knee late in the first half of UCLA’s 17-15 win over Oregon.
Chesney said Iamaleava would miss the rest of the season after knee surgery.
- Injury
- Left knee
- Injury date
- Oct. 10, 2026
- Oregon score
- UCLA won 17-15
- Season record
- UCLA was 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten
- Backup quarterback
- Ty Dieffenbach
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