By admin 
UCLA Quarterback Nico Iamaleava had a rough trip to Eugene.
The senior quarterback only played in the first half against the Ducks, as he was sidelined for the remainder of the game following an injury sustained in the second quarter.
Read more What We Learned from Alabama’s First Loss Against Georgia: Tide Takeaways
What Happened to Nico Iamaleava
On a scramble by Iamaleava late in the second quarter, he was wrapped up and taken to the ground by multiple Duck defenders. The hit after Iamaleava had initially been down seemed very extracurricular, especially when watching the play back now. The play ends with Oregon’s Bear Alexander seemingly punching Iamaleava in the neck or helmet area.
UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava exited with a lower body injury after this play.
Oregon’s Bear Alexander appears to swing for the ball, but hits Iamaleava in the process. pic.twitter.com/pHKvM79U1n
– Underdog CFB (@UnderdogCFB) October 10, 2026
While Iamaleava would return to action following the hit, it would only be for a single play, as he threw an interceptionin the end zone on his first snap back.
As UCLA headed into the locker room with a 10-6 lead, it didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary. There have been various times this season when Iamaleava has left the field banged up, only to return later in the game, exactly like what we saw against Oregon.
Initially, Bob Chesney also believed Iamaleava was fine heading into the locker room at halftime, as he revealed in his postgame press conference. “I thought he got hit in the thigh,” Chesney said. However, Chesney also revealed that it could potentially be more serious after all.
“There might be a little bit more to it, which we got to just figure out as we go through the process tonight, tomorrow, and the rest of the way,” Chesney said.
Read more Projecting AP Top 25 After College Football Week 6: Oklahoma Stuns Texas, and a New No. 1 Emerges
Ty Dieffenbach Replaced Iamaleava
While Nico’s younger brother, Madden Iamaleava, has replaced him in the various exits Nico has had to begin the season, it was Cal Poly transfer Ty Dieffenbach who got his number called against the Ducks.
In his postgame press conference, Dieffenbach revealed that he had no prior knowledge that he would be the first quarterback off the bench until the moment that it happened. Given the circumstances, Dieffenbach played a well-managed game that resulted in the Bruins being able to leave Autzen Stadium 5-0. He would finish the day with only three completed passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Depending on the severity of Nico’s injury, Dieffenbach could potentially be the guy that Chesney and the Bruins lean on as they head deeper into conference play. For now, UCLA fans will have to wait to hear about the status of their starting quarterback.
Today’s best reads
- Bruins Nation Reacts to Ugly UCLA Win Over Oregon
- Bruin Breakdown: UCLA Overcomes Quarterback Struggles Against Oregon
- Why UCLA’s Iamaleava Must Step Up Against Oregon
- 3 UCLA Players To Watch in Week 6 Against Oregon
- 3 Instant Takeaways From UCLA’s Chaotic Win at Oregon
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/ucla as How UCLA Can Manage Path With Potential Nico Iamaleava Injury.
Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Read more How Raiders’ Klint Kubiak Pushing All the Right Buttons
This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 4:00 AM.