LOS ANGELES -- Quarterback Nico Iamaleava will sit out the rest of the season for ninth-ranked UCLA and will undergo surgery for a knee injury sustained against Oregon, coach Bob Chesney said Monday.
"It's severe," Chesney said, adding that the surgery would be later Monday or Tuesday.
Iamaleava was injured late in the first half of a 17-15 win against then-No. 13 Oregon on Oct. 10. He scrambled on a play and was tackled by two Oregon defenders, with his left leg getting twisted. After sitting out one series, he returned to the field, threw an interception just before halftime and didn't return.
Iamaleava finished his second season in Westwood with 982 passing yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions to go with 144 yards rushing and one touchdown. He transferred from Tennessee last year.
Backup Ty Dieffenbach stepped in to finish the game and then made his first career FBS start in a 17-7 win over Wisconsin last weekend. He went 22-of-33 for 264 yards.
The Bruins (6-0, 4-0 Big Ten) host Michigan State on Saturday.
