No. 21 UCLA survived an injury to starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava and stayed unbeaten Saturday with a 17-15 win over No. 13 Oregon. However, much of the postgame discussion centered on the punishing hit that forced the highly touted quarterback out of the game.
“Bear Alexander should be suspended for this,” one fan wrote about the Oregon defensive tackle, calling it a “dirty play.”
A replay of the second-quarter tackle appeared to show Alexander twisting Iamaleava’s facemask before seemingly striking the UCLA quarterback in the back of the head as they fell to the turf. Oregon linebacker Jerry Mixon then landed on Iamaleava’s legs, prompting the Bruins star to reach toward his ankle.
Although Mixon’s involvement appeared connected to Iamaleava’s potential injury, Alexander became the primary target of criticism online.
“Expelled from the team, the portal and THE SCHOOL,” one furious fan posted.
“Dude had zero intention of going for the ball,” another fan added.
No. 21 UCLA overcame an injury to starting quarterback and former five-star recruit Nico Iamaleava (pictured) to remain undefeated with a 17-15 victory over No. 13 Oregon on Saturday
A replay of the second-quarter tackle shows Alexander twisting Iamaleava’s facemask before appearing to punch the Bruins quarterback in the back of the head
Jerry Mixon landed on Iamaleava’s legs, leaving the UCLA star reaching towards his ankle
Another fan called the incident “perhaps one of the dirtiest plays seen in 2026.”
Iamaleava attempted to return, but ultimately gave way to backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach in the second half.
“He wasn’t close to being able to come back today,” UCLA coach Bob Chesney said. “I thought he got hit in the thigh. There might be a little more to it, which we’ll have to figure out as we go through the process tonight and tomorrow.”
Before leaving the game, Iamaleava completed 10 of 17 passes for 162 yards and threw two interceptions. Dieffenbach finished with 43 passing yards and a touchdown.
The former five-star recruit transferred to UCLA from Tennessee before the 2025 season after leading the Volunteers to a College Football Playoff berth in 2024. His brother, Madden Iamaleava, is also on UCLA’s roster. Madden appeared against Ohio State in 2025 but did not attempt a pass.
Dieffenbach said UCLA had not settled on one backup quarterback between him and Madden Iamaleava after the two shared reps throughout the week. Coaches made the decision on the field, telling Dieffenbach he would enter once Nico was unable to return.
“They went with me, so when I heard that, it was tunnel vision, just ready to go execute,” Dieffenbach said.
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) is examined by head coach Bob Chesney, left
Iamaleava returned to the sideline in the second half wearing a sweatshirt with a towel over his head. He followed the first-down chains up and down the sideline and joined the offense in huddles during timeouts.
“He’s getting everyone going — he’s a great leader,” Dieffenbach said. “I’ve learned so much from him already — I’ve been with him for 10 months now — and he’s just a great guy. He and Madden, they’re great leaders. They’ve been here as older guys, and it’s just great to learn from Nico.”
Chesney did not name Dieffenbach the permanent backup after the game, saying Madden Iamaleava would remain involved in what he described as a week-to-week process. The coach said UCLA saw an opportunity to use its quarterback as a runner this week and believed Dieffenbach performed particularly well in that area during practice.
‘(It’s) being able to keep composure and keep everyone on the same page,’ running back Wayne Knight said of the Bruins’ reaction to Iamaleava’s injury. ‘One of our leaders went down, we needed to show up for them, and I think that’s what everyone did. We came together as a unit, and we put it all on the field for him.’
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UCLA running back Wayne Knight ran for 103 yards on 22 carries and caught three passes for 12 yards, including a fourth-quarter, 9-yard touchdown reception from Dieffenbach for the Bruins (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten).
UCLA wide receiver Jalen Saint Paul (86) dances to ‘Shout’ during the second half
The sloppy game featured 10 turnovers, including seven for the Ducks (3-2, 1-1), who saw their chances for a spot in the College Football Playoff fade with a second loss.
‘From the start, we came out, we punched them, and we just kept on going,’ Knight said. ‘We had a couple of mishaps, but we bounced back every single time.’
Oregon came close with Evan Stewart’s 44-yard scoring pass from Brock Thomas to make it 17-15 with 2:16 left. UCLA was flagged for a facemask penalty on Oregon’s 2-point conversion try, giving the Ducks another shot from a half yard away. UCLA’s defense smothered rusher Jordon Davison to thwart the Ducks.
The Ducks had one final drive with less than a minute left but a lost fumble and fell short as time ran out.
‘You’ve got to protect the ball, right? You can coach it and you can say it, but if it shows up, you’re not coaching it well enough. You’re not doing a good enough job there,’ Oregon coach Dan Lanning said.
Bob Chesney of the UCLA Bruins leads his UCLA Bruins team to the field before their game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium
Dylan Raiola started for the Ducks at quarterback in place of Dante Moore, who remains in concussion protocol. Moore was hit in the first quarter of the Ducks’ 41-27 victory at USC on Sept. 26 and left the game by ambulance.
Raiola threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns against the Trojans and made his first start for the Ducks against the Bruins. Raiola, the first backup QB to start for Oregon since Braxton Burmeister in 2017, transferred to Oregon from Nebraska in the offseason.
Raiola completed only six of 18 passes for 43 yards and two interceptions for the Ducks before he was replaced in the fourth quarter by Thomas. UCLA has 10 interceptions this season, most in the nation.
‘The product we put out there, the product I put out there, I’ve got to live with that. So I’ve got to own everything, take it on the chin and move forward,’ Raiola said.
The Bruins got to the Oregon 2 on their first series of the game, but settled for Mateen Bhaghani’s 21-yard field goal.
After Iamaleava was sacked and fumbled on the UCLA 1, Oregon recovered and Davison scored with a 1-yard run on the team’s first play to put the Ducks up 7-3.
UCLA linebacker Drew Spinogatti (56) celebrates their win over Oregon in Eugene
Raiola was sacked and fumbled the ball away in the third quarter, and UCLA capitalized with Knight’s 35-yard touchdown run to put the Bruins up 10-6. It was Knight’s 10th scoring run of the season.
UCLA had a chance to extend the lead but Matayo Uiagalelei blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt by Bhaghani.
Raiola was intercepted late in the half but then Iamaleava was picked off by the Ducks on the ensuing series.
Dieffenbach hit Knight with a 9-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to make it 17-6 before Oregon’s Gage Hurych made a 26-yard field goal to narrow it to 17-9 with 5:16 left in the game.
UCLA hosts Wisconsin next Saturday, while Oregon welcomes Nebraska.