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Nico Iamaleava ruled out for matchup at Ohio State, per report
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Nico Iamaleava will not play for UCLA against Ohio State on Saturday. The Bruins quarterback is still dealing with a concussion that he suffered against Nebraska last week.
In his stead, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that UCLA will turn to redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan, who will be making his first career start on the road against the No. 1 team in the country.
This is significant news for both teams because Iamaleava has some history with Ohio State. The former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback started against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff last season, but struggled mightily. A second crack at the Buckeyes for Iamaleava would have been interesting to watch.
The Buckeyes defense has dominated every opponent it has played this season, but UCLA has been performing like a different team with Iamaleava under center and Jerry Neuheisel calling plays as OC. The Bruins started the year 0-4 but are 3-2 since firing DeShaun Foster, with a narrow loss to Nebraska last week.
All that said, Ohio State is playing on a completely different level compared to UCLA right now. The Buckeyes are undefeated on the year and really have yet to be tested. That’s thanks in part to DC Matt Patricia, whose complex defense has made life hell for opposing quarterbacks.
Which brings us to Duncan. The Class of 2023 3-star prospect has yet to record a stat in college football, and he’ll be facing the toughest defense in the country, on the road, to start out. Kickoff for Bruins-Buckeyes is set for 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.