UCLA's Bob Chesney has 'serious concern' QB Nico Iamaleava could miss the season

UCLA may have to finish an unbeaten start without its starting quarterback. Coach Bob Chesney said Monday that Nico Iamaleava could miss the rest of the season after he was hurt just before halftime of the Bruins' 17-15 win over Oregon on Saturday.

Chesney spoke at his weekly news conference, according to an Associated Press report published by NBC Sports. He said the final decision belongs to the team's doctors and that the program still plans to get more medical opinions. "There is some serious concern at the moment," Chesney said. He also said nothing had been fully ruled on yet. The report did not describe the injury.

Iamaleava, 22, is in his second season in Westwood after transferring from Tennessee. He has completed 62.1% of his passes this season for 982 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also been a regular part of the Bruins' running game, so losing him would cost UCLA more than just its passing.

Ty Dieffenbach took over in the second half against the Ducks. He threw for 43 yards and a touchdown as UCLA held on for the two-point win. Sophomore Madden Iamaleava, Nico's younger brother, is the other option. According to the report, neither backup has started a game at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

UCLA doesn't have long to sort it out. The No. 12 Bruins (5-0, 3-0 Big Ten) host Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0) at the Rose Bowl on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EDT on NBC. Both teams are unbeaten in conference play, so the winner moves to the front of the Big Ten race at midseason. If Iamaleava can't play, UCLA would likely start a quarterback with no FBS starts against a Badgers team that has lost only once.

The market has the game close. UCLA is favored at -120 on Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, and is a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 43.5. The best sportsbook price on the Bruins is -130 at Fanatics. Full prices are on the Wisconsin at UCLA game page. A total in the low 40s suggests a low-scoring game, which would put more weight on whoever takes the snaps for UCLA.

Oregon has its own problems after the loss in Pasadena. The Ducks fell to 3-2 and host Nebraska (5-1) on Saturday at 11 p.m. EDT on Fox. Oregon is favored at -251 on Novig and by 7.5 points, with a total of 52.5. The best sportsbook price on the Ducks is -275 at FanDuel. Prices are on the Nebraska at Oregon game page.

UCLA hasn't named a starter for Saturday. Chesney said he will wait for the medical opinions before making a final call on Iamaleava. The decision will shape UCLA's game plan against Wisconsin and the rest of its Big Ten schedule.