UCLA Quarterback Nico Iamaleava Reportedly Will Not Play Against Ohio State Due to Concussion

Nico Iamaleava will not play against Ohio State due to a concussion.

On3’s Brett McMurphy reported early Saturday morning that UCLA’s starting quarterback – the only quarterback who’s thrown a pass for the Bruins this season – has been ruled out of Saturday night’s game at Ohio Stadium.

Iamaleava suffered a concussion in UCLA’s loss to Nebraska last week, but concussion symptoms didn’t surface until after the game, per McMurphy’s report.

Saturday night’s game was supposed to be a return to the Shoe for Iamaleava, who played against the Buckeyes in last year’s College Football Playoff as Tennessee’s quarterback. Instead, it will be the first career start for UCLA backup quarterback Luke Duncan.

A redshirt sophomore who was a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, Duncan has not attempted a pass all season – or at all in his UCLA career – as Iamaleava has thrown every pass for the Bruins this year.

Ohio State vs. UCLA kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Ohio Stadium and will be televised by NBC.