The UCLA Bruins have suffered a massive setback just hours before their biggest challenge of the season. Starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been ruled out of Saturday's game against the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes after sustaining a concussion in last week's match, multiple sources confirmed on Friday.
How the Injury Occurred
The injury happened during UCLA's tough 28-21 loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 8. Iamaleava played the entire game, showing no immediate signs of distress. His final stat line was impressive, completing 17-of-25 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing 15 times for 86 yards. He was sacked three times during the contest.
Who Steps In for the Bruins?
With Iamaleava unavailable, redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan will make his first career start. Duncan, a holdover from the Chip Kelly era and a former three-star recruit from the 2023 class, has minimal game experience. His only appearance this season was during a blowout win over Michigan State on October 11, where he only handed off the ball without attempting a pass or run.
Adding an interesting family dynamic, Iamaleava's younger brother, true freshman Madden Iamaleava, has been taking reps as the backup this week. Duncan's debut is a daunting one, as he has yet to throw a college pass and now faces one of the nation's top defenses in Ohio State.
The Impact on UCLA's Season and the Upcoming Clash
Nico Iamaleava has been the heart of the UCLA offense in the 2025 season. Having started all nine games, he has accumulated 1,659 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His dual-threat capability was a key asset, as he also led the team with 474 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
He was instrumental in a mid-season turnaround, sparking a three-game winning streak in October that included a major upset over then-No. 7 Penn State. Now, with a 3-6 overall record, the Bruins must win their remaining games to become bowl eligible. Losing their star quarterback against an undefeated Ohio State (9-0) team that boasts a 13-game winning streak severely dims any hopes of a monumental upset.
The Bruins were already heavy underdogs for the road game. The Ohio State Buckeyes have been dominant, winning their recent games by an average of over 31 points. The kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET at Ohio Stadium. Interim coach Tim Skipper's squad will now have to rely heavily on its run game and defense to have any chance of staying competitive against the nation's top team.
