UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava likely to miss remainder of season

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava likely to miss remainder of season with knee injury

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 12, 2026 3:31 PM ET

The UCLA Bruins have gotten off to an incredible start this season.

In its first season under head coach Bob Chesney, UCLA is off to a 5-0 start for the first time since 2022 and just the fifth time in program history.

A big reason for the outstanding start has been quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Just when it seemed like he was turning into the quarterback he's always been expected to be, an injury struck that has likely ruined the remainder of his season.

Nico Iamaleava is likely out for the season

According to college football insider Matt Zenitz, Iamaleava is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Iamaleava left Saturday's win over No. 13 Oregon in the second quarter and never returned.

Iamaleava had thrown for 982 yards with four touchdowns, as well as rushing for 144 yards with a touchdown prior to his injury. His resurgence this season had caused his name to start being discussed in 2027 NFL Draft conversations.

UCLA standout QB Nico Iamaleava is expected to miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury he suffered during the Bruins’ win over Oregon on Saturday, sources tell @CBSSports.

An unfortunate development for No. 12 UCLA and for Iamaleava, who had been brought up by multiple… pic.twitter.com/TemOyOlJjM
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) October 12, 2026

What to know about backup Ty Dieffenbach

The man that replaced Iamaleava on Saturday and is now in line to become the starter is senior Ty Dieffenbach. In the second half against Oregon, Dieffenbach completed 3-of-6 passes for 42 yards with a touchdown.

Dieffenbach spent two seasons at Pitt without playing time before spending the 2025 season at Cal Poly. In his first year starting, he threw for 1,305 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Dieffenbach also carried the ball 67 times for 321 yards with four rushing touchdowns.

Big Game Wayne.

: CBS pic.twitter.com/0e3P7L6jlh
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 10, 2026

Can Ty Dieffenbach get UCLA into the CFP?

As it currently stands, UCLA has just one game remaining against a ranked opponent and that comes in the final week of the season against No. 19 USC.

The road environments Dieffenbach will have to play in are Minnesota and Michigan, neither of which would be entirely difficult to navigate during afternoon games.

The Bruins offense will likely take a hit without Iamaleava, but the schedule lines up well for Dieffenbach. If he can take care of the football and make timely throws, UCLA still has a chance to win a lot of games and be a College Football Playoff contender.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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