News Article
Published
Oct 12, 2026 at 09:33 PM EDT
UCLA pulled off a 17-15 upset at No. 13 Oregon on Saturday, but the bigger story is what happened to quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
In the second quarter, Iamaleava scrambled and landed awkwardly on his leg while being tackled. Replays showed Oregon defensive lineman Bear Alexander twisting his helmet and then appearing to punch him in the head. No penalty was called. Iamaleava left the game after finishing 10 of 17 for 162 yards and two interceptions, and it's feared he tore his ACL, which would end his season.
Backup Ty Dieffenbach stepped in and helped UCLA improve to 5-0, even as Oregon rallied late and missed a game-tying two-point try.
UCLA coach Bob Chesney was asked about the incident Monday and called the punch "egregious," saying it was a shame the officials missed it.
"It shouldn’t be a play that is allowed to occur in the sport," Chesney said.
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Alexander has not been punished, and fans are comparing the play to the late hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore two weeks ago. Moore suffered a concussion in the Ducks’ win over USC when Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens hit him in the head as he slid in the second quarter. Officials ejected Stephens for targeting, and USC suspended him one game after he celebrated and returned to the sideline. Oregon coach Dan Lanning called the hit “disgusting” and left any further discipline to the Big Ten or USC.
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The Alexander play is different in a few ways. Officials didn’t see it, so there was no flag or ejection, and Iamaleava’s knee injury reportedly happened before the punch, not because of it. Still, the optics are similar enough that Oregon now faces the same question of discipline Lanning left to others.
Punishment could come from Oregon, which could suspend Alexander itself, or from the Big Ten, which could review the video and act. There’s no automatic penalty, so any discipline would be a choice.