In a devastating setback for UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and his team, the quarterback is expected to miss the rest of the season with a left knee injury after getting sandwiched by two defenders Saturday.
Iamaleava’s status was disclosed to the California Post on Monday by someone close to the situation not authorized to reveal the information publicly because of its sensitivity.
Remaining cautiously optimistic, coach Bob Chesney said there was no official update.
“I know everybody has a lot of opinions out there, and I think that’s very nice that they do,” Chesney said, but I’m gonna wait for our doctors to make the final call and think he has a meeting later today, and he’ll have a whole lot more clarity on exactly where things are at.”
However, Chesney sounded an ominous tone when asked if there was a chance that Iamaleava could return this season.
“There’s a chance,” Chesney said, “if we’re seeing things differently than where we’re at here.”
Barring an unexpected reversal, the loss of Iamaleava for the final seven regular-season games could imperil unbeaten UCLA’s bid for its first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Chesney said the No. 12 Bruins (5-0 overall, 3-0 Big Ten) would initially turn to senior Ty Dieffenbach, who played admirably in relief of Iamaleava during the team’s 17-15 victory over Oregon, against Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0) this weekend at the Rose Bowl.
In his first appearance with UCLA since transferring from Cal Poly, Dieffenbach threw the 9-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter that proved to be the decisive points.
“He threw some really nice, accurate footballs, catchable footballs,” Chesney said. “He stepped up in the moment where we needed him to. And then at the same point in time, he commanded the offense very, very well.”
Iamaleava was hurt late in the second quarter when was crushed between two defenders while going down to the turf. Oregon defensive tackle Bear Alexander also punched Iamaleava’s helmet on the play but was not called for a penalty because the officials apparently did not see it.
“When you see it, it’s certainly egregious,” Chesney said. “It shouldn’t be a play that is allowed to occur in the sport. And it’s a shame that that was missed.”
Iamaleava left for one play and then returned for the next one, throwing a pass that was intercepted in the end zone. Chesney said he was able to briefly come back because the injury was initially thought to be to his thigh.
When it became clear at halftime that Iamaleava would not be able to return, coaches told Dieffenbach that he would start the second half.
“Zero nerves,” Chesney said. “He’s like, ‘Let’s go.’ ”
Dieffenbach completed three of six passes for 43 yards while effectively managing the offense.
Chesney said after the game that he had gone with Dieffenbach instead of fellow backup Madden Iamaleava – who had previously appeared in relief of his older brother this season – because of the superior ability to run the ball that Dieffenbach had displayed in practice.
It’s certainly possible that UCLA’s run-dominant offense could keep rolling even without its starting quarterback.
Iamaleava had struggled for most of the season, particularly in the first two games when he tallied two interceptions and no touchdowns. He rebounded against Purdue and Maryland, combining for four touchdowns and no interceptions, before faltering again in the first half against Oregon.
Among other mistakes, Iamaleava underthrew what should have been a touchdown pass to Aiden Mizell that the wide receiver had to wait for before hauling it in for a 62-yard gain. Iamaleava then misfired while rolling out on another pass that should have been a touchdown, fumbled at the 1-yard line – leading to a Ducks touchdown – and had a pass batted down at the line of scrimmage while also having two passes intercepted.
Iamaleava has completed 62.1% of his passes this season for 982 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Given his poor showing and extended recovery timeline, the Long Beach native could return to UCLA for a fifth college season after spending two years at Tennessee before coming home to join the Bruins.
Dieffenbach and Madden Iamaleava have engaged in a spirited battle to be the top backup since spring practices, each impressing at different times.
Dieffenbach has considerably more experience than his redshirt freshman counterpart, albeit at the Football Championship Subdivision level. As the starter last season for Cal Poly, Dieffenbach completed 92 of 162 passes (56.8%) for 1,305 yards and 9 touchdowns with 9 interceptions while also rushing for 321 yards and 4 touchdowns in 67 carries.
Now he’ll get the chance to shine on college football’s biggest stage for one of its most improved teams.
