What Is Nico Iamaleava's Injury Status for UCLA vs. OSU This Week?

Already a huge underdog on the road against No. 1 Ohio State, UCLA will reportedly be without starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava on Saturday.

Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Iamaleava won't play after suffering a concussion in the Bruins' 28-21 loss to Nebraska on Nov. 8.

Brett McMurphy of On3.com first reported Iamaleava would sit out Saturday, adding the sophomore quarterback's concussions symptoms didn't develop until after the Nebraska game.

Thamel noted that Luke Duncan will get the start in place of Iamaleava.

It's unclear exactly when the injury occurred. Iamaleava was sacked three times by Nebraska's defense, but he played every offensive snap in the game. The third-year signal-caller finished 17-of-25 for 191 yards and two touchdowns through the air, along with 86 rushing yards on 15 carries.

Iamaleava has started each of the first nine games this season after transferring from Tennessee in the offseason. He has 1,659 passing yards, 474 rushing yards and accounted for 16 touchdowns for the Bruins.

Duncan is a holdover from the Chip Kelly era at UCLA. He was a 3-star recruit in the 2023 class and has remained with the program through the DeShaun Foster tenure and now under interim head coach Tim Skipper.

The only previous appearance Duncan has made for the Bruins was in their 38-13 win over Michigan State on Oct. 11. He replaced Iamaleava for the final offensive possession, but didn't throw a pass or run the ball.

UCLA has played better since Skipper replaced Foster on Sept. 14 after an 0-3 start. He has led the team to a 3-3 record in six games, highlighted by a 42-37 victory over then-No. 7 Penn State on Oct. 4.

Saturday will see the Bruins look to end No. 1 Ohio State's 13-game winning streak dating back to last season. The Buckeyes have won each of their last eight games by an average of 31.9 points.

Kickoff for the UCLA-Ohio State game at Ohio Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.