EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUCLA has 'serious concern' over quarterback Nico Iamaleava's knee injury that forced him to exit Saturday's win at Oregon, coach Bob Chesney said on Monday.Chesney said any final timeline on Iamaleava's status will be determined by upcoming medical evaluations."I'm gonna wait for doctors to make the final call on things," Chesney said. "He has a meeting later today and he'll have a lot more clarity on where things are at."There is a serious concern at this moment, but .. there is nothing that has been fully ruled at this moment."Iamaleava was injured in the second quarter of Saturday's 17-15 win at Oregon and did not return in the second half. Backup Ty Dieffenbach came on to help orchestrate the victory for the Bruins, who improved to 5-0 and shot up to No. 12 in this week's AP poll.Iamaleava landed awkwardly on his leg on a second-quarter scramble while being tackled and stayed down. After being looked at by trainers, he was able to jog off the field.As Iamaleava was tackled, the replay on the TV broadcast showed Oregon defensive lineman Bear Alexander twisting Iamaleava's helmet while going down. Once Iamaleava was down, Alexander appeared to punch him and struck his helmet. The play was not called for a penalty.Chesney called the play "egregious" on Monday."It's a shame that it was missed [by officials]," he said.After Iamaleava jogged off, Dieffenbach threw an incompletion. Iamaleava was then able to return to the game. On the ensuing play, however, he threw an interception, his third turnover of the first half.When the Bruins emerged for the second half, Dieffenbach, a senior from Cal Poly who had not seen any action all season, took over. Dieffenbach completed 3 of 6 passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.Chesney called the Bruins' current quarterback situation "decently fluid" between Dieffenbach and sophomore Madden Iamaleava ahead of Saturday's game against visiting Wisconsin. Madden Iamaleava, the younger brother of Nico, has appeared in three career games.Nico Iamaleava, who has started every game since arriving at UCLA from Tennessee in spring 2025, has thrown for 982 yards and four touchdowns this season.ESPN's Paolo Uggetti contributed to this report.
