NCAAF

Nico Iamaleava Exits UCLA-Oregon Clash with Leg Injury, Bruins Turn to Ty Dieffenbach

Nico Iamaleava Exits UCLA-Oregon Clash with Leg Injury, Bruins Turn to Ty Dieffenbach

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava left Saturday's game against No. 13 Oregon with a leg injury and did not start the second half, as the Bruins held a lead over the Ducks.

A UCLA spokesperson indicated that Iamaleava is doubtful to return due to the leg injury.

In the second quarter, Iamaleava briefly exited after an injury timeout, missed one play, then returned and immediately threw an interception. He did not start the second half. Bruins senior Ty Dieffenbach replaced him in both instances.

Before getting hurt, Iamaleava completed 10 of 17 passes for 162 yards and threw two interceptions for No. 21 UCLA.

Dieffenbach joined UCLA after spending two years at Pittsburgh and one year at Cal Poly, where he started for the first time in college and was 9-for-162 and 1,305 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

On the play, Iamaleava escaped the pocket to his left, but was tackled by two Oregon players and grabbed his left leg before being surrounded by trainers.

Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit, transferred to UCLA ahead of the 2025 season from Tennessee, where he led the Volunteers to a College Football Playoff berth in 2024.

Nico's brother, Madden Iamaleava, is also on the Bruins roster and appeared in a game against Ohio State in 2025 but did not throw a pass.

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Originally reported by yahoo.