UCLA Has ‘Serious Concern’ QB Nico Iamaleava Will Miss The Rest Of The Season

The UCLA Bruins are the greatest story in college football today, however their momentum might be on the edge of slipping.

Following the upset win in Eugene over No. 13-ranked Oregon, the Bruins enhanced to 5-0 under first-year head coach Bob Chesney. Winning came at an expense as quarterback Nico Iamaleava left the video game early with a knee injury.

According to ESPNIamaleava is anticipated to stay out forever with the knee injury. While a last timeline stays pending a complete medical examination, there is a genuine possibility he might miss out on the remainder of the season– Chesney has actually stated as much, specifying that there’s “serious concern” that Iamaleava might miss out on the remainder of the year.

“I’m going to wait for our doctors to make the final call,” Chesney stated Monday at his weekly press conference. “There is some serious concern at the moment. But at the same point in time, there’s nothing that has been fully ruled at this moment. There’s still other opinions and other people we want to talk to, to make sure everyone sees it the same way.”

Iamaleava’s play on the field has actually been crappy this season, however he’s been among the supporting consider the Bruins’ excellent start. Through 5 video games, he has actually finished 62.1% of his passes for 982 lawns, 4 goals, and 4 interceptions.

With Iamaleava sidelined, Chesney and his personnel should turn to either Ty Dieffenbach or Madden Iamaleava, Nico’s more youthful sibling. Nico tossed for 162 backyards versus Oregon before leaving with the injury and being changed by Dieffenbach.

In relief for Iamaleava, Dieffenbach finished 3-of-6 passes for 43 backyards and a goal versus the Ducks. Madden Iamaleava had actually been thought about the backup previously this season, however Chesney might now open a competitors or perhaps use a two-quarterback system.

Throughout his time at James Madison, Chesney regularly released multi-quarterback systems. He typically paired main starter Alonza Barnett III with other choices like transfer Matthew Sluka and JC Evans for specialized running and passing bundles.

Handling a mid-season quarterback issue is a difficult job, however Chesney’s background shows he is fully equipped for the difficulty.

With the Bruins staying unbeaten and ranked No. 12 nationally, the injury could not come at an even worse time. Despite the fact that Iamaleava hasn’t totally measured up to his first-class recruiting buzz, he will still have one year of eligibility staying for the 2027 season.

The Associated Press added to this report.

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