UCLA survives Dieffenbach injury scare, holds off Illinois 22-14 to reach 10-0

UCLA is still unbeaten, and its quarterback is still standing. Ty Dieffenbach left Friday night's game at the Rose Bowl late in the first half with an injury to his non-throwing arm, then came back in the third quarter and threw the touchdown that put away Illinois. The No. 4 Bruins won 22-14 in heavy rain and are 10-0 for the third time in program history.

The ESPN recap of the game says Dieffenbach went down hard on his left arm after a hit from Illini defensive lineman Carter Janki with 35 seconds left before halftime. Accounts of the injury differ. The NBC Sports version of the game story calls it a shoulder injury. Coach Bob Chesney told ESPN that Dieffenbach landed awkwardly and hurt his elbow, and that the injury was not serious. Third-string quarterback Madden Iamaleava ran the offense for three series. Dieffenbach came back with 55 seconds left in the third quarter and UCLA up 12-7. On his first drive back, he marched the Bruins 75 yards and finished it with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Semaje Morgan.

The stakes were high because UCLA has already lost one starter. Dieffenbach, a senior transfer from Cal Poly, took over when Nico Iamaleava suffered a season-ending knee injury against Oregon on Oct. 10. The Bruins are 5-0 with Dieffenbach as the starter. He finished 13 of 20 for 232 yards and two touchdowns. "He's a warrior," Chesney said, according to ESPN.

Aiden Mizell caught six passes for 176 yards. His 54-yard touchdown on the fifth play of the game was his third straight catch to go for a score. The defense carried the rest of the load. UCLA intercepted Katin Houser three times, recovered a fumble and got a safety when Aiden Gobaira sacked Houser in the end zone. Illinois finished with 240 yards. Scooter Jackson had two interceptions, and the second one came with 2:50 left after the Illini had cut the lead to 19-14 and gotten the ball back. Mateen Bhaghani's 37-yard field goal made it a two-score game. Houser threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns. NBC Sports reported that he was hurt on Illinois' final drive and replaced by Carson Boyd.

What it means for the next game

UCLA has 31 takeaways, the most in the country, and has held seven straight opponents to 20 points or fewer. Its last six wins have come by 14, 27, 18, 10, 2 and 8 points. At 7-0 in the Big Ten, the Bruins lead the league by a game over Indiana. Their 10-game winning streak ties a school record. UCLA plays at Michigan on Nov. 21. The Wolverines are 5-4 and 2-4 in conference play. The main question for that game is how Dieffenbach's arm holds up after a week of practice. Coaches will also watch the passing game, which has relied on big plays from Mizell.

Illinois lost for the first time since its Oct. 3 loss to Purdue, which ends a four-game winning streak. The Illini are 6-4 overall, 4-3 in the Big Ten and already bowl eligible. They host No. 15 Iowa (7-2, 4-2) on Nov. 21 on BTN. That game could depend on Houser's health. He missed time earlier this season with a broken hand, and he got hurt again on the final drive against UCLA.