It doesn’t look like former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be getting his rematch shot against Ohio State this weekend in Columbus. According to a report from On3’s Brett McMurphy, the UCLA signal caller has been ruled out with a concussion that was suffered during last week’s loss to Nebraska.
McMurphy’s report states that Iamaleava first started showing concussion symptoms after the game against the Cornhuskers.
Iamaleava previously played against the Buckeyes during last year’s playoff loss with Tennessee. The California native threw for 104 yards on 14-of-31 passing, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He did rack up 47 yards on 20 carries with two rushing touchdowns in the 42-17 loss.
Iamaleava transferred to UCLA during the spring portal window, which ultimately led to quarterback Joey Aguilar’s transfer to Knoxville. Aguilar previously played in the 2024 season at App State but had transferred to UCLA and participated in spring camp with the Bruins.
The 6-foot-6 quarterback has played in all nine of the Bruins’ games to this point. He has totaled 1,659 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
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UCLA is 3-6 on the year so far. The Bruins began the season with four straight losses, but rallied to pick up three straight wins in October with victories over Penn State, Michigan State, and Maryland. UCLA has since lost two straight to Indiana and Nebraska.
Iamaleava achieved a season-high in passing against Maryland at 221 yards and a season-high in touchdowns against Penn State with five total scores (two passing, three rushing).
With Iamaleava out, ESPN reports that the Bruins will turn to redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Duncan against the nation’s No. 1-ranked team. Duncan, however, has never attempted an in-game collegiate pass.
Iamaleava went through a concussion scare during his lone season as the Vols’ starter last year. He took a big hit in a win against Mississippi State, went through concussion protocol the following week, but did not miss any time as he returned for a game against Georgia the following weekend.
Tennessee, meanwhile, is back in Neyland Stadium on Saturday after an open date last weekend. The 6-3 Volunteers will look for their seventh win of the season against New Mexico State at 4:15 p.m. ET in Knoxville.
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