Nico Iamaleava injury update: UCLA QB set to miss matchup vs. No. 1 Ohio State with concussion

UCLA will have its work cut out for it if it hopes to down No. 1 Ohio State away from home.

At just 3-6, the Bruins haven't had the most fruitful campaign. An upset win over then-No. 7 Penn State provided temporary relief. But UCLA has dropped each of its last two games and need wins in each of its remaining contests to secure a bowl bid.

Enter the Buckeyes, the defending national champions and winners of a country-best 13 straight games. It's always a tough ask to hope for a side to down the country's best team. It's even harder when that team doesn't have its first-string quarterback. The Bruins will attempt to do the latter on Saturday after starter Nico Iamaleava was ruled out with injury.

With that, here's what you need to know about Iamaleava's status for Saturday's game.

MORE: Nico Iamaleava timeline of controversy

What happened to Nico Iamaleava?

Iamaleava will miss Saturday's game with a concussion. He suffered the injury during UCLA's loss to Nebraska.

It's unclear when Iamaleava sustained the injury. However, he began experiencing concussion symptoms after the matchup, per On3's Brett McMurphy.

Iamaleava started each of the Bruins' first nine games, tallying 1,659 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions in his maiden year in Tinseltown. A Tennessee transfer, Iamaleava famously jousted with the Buckeyes in the 2024 College Football Playoff. He completed just 14-of-31 passes for 104 yards in the Volunteers' loss to Ohio State last season in Columbus.

Who is UCLA's backup QB?

With Iamaleava out of commission, the Bruins are turning to backup Luke Duncan. The redshirt sophomore has yet to attempt a pass in college. He was a three-star talent in high school, per 247 Sports, wowing some schools with his 6-5 frame and swift delivery.

Only time will tell if those traits translate when matched up against a fearsome Buckeyes' front seven.