UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava Expected to Miss Rest of Season

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is out indefinitely, likely ending the rest of his 2026 season after the Bruins QB suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s win against Oregon, per CBS Sports Matt Zenitz.

The injury occurred in the first half while Iamaleava was scrambling before being tackled by Oregon defenders Bear Alexander and Jerry Mixon. Nico returned to the field after missing one play, but following an interception on his first snap back in, his day was finished.

Initially, UCLA head coach Bob Chesney believed Iamaleava had only suffered a minor injury to his thigh, telling CBS, “He’s fine,” Iamaleava later returned to the sideline deep in the third quarter, this time without his helmet.

Following the major upset against the Ducks, the moment quickly soured as Chesnye acknowledged the injury was likely more significant than they originally thought, with a confirmation coming in the upcoming days.

Iamaleava finished Saturday’s game completing 10 of 16 passes for 162 yards and 2 interceptions.

Backup QB Ty Dieffenbach replaced Iamaleava in the second half against Oregon, completing 3 of 6 passes for 43 yards and throwing the game-winning touchdown to Wayne Knight, making Bob Chesney the first UCLA head coach to start his tenure with a 5-0 record.

Dieffenbach transferred from Cal Poly this past portal, after appearing in 11 games last season, throwing for 1,305 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.

Iamaleava has one year of college eligibility remaining, leaving the door open to returning to UCLA in 2027.