Dieffenbach returns from injury
scare, No. 4 UCLA remains unbeaten with 22-14 victory over Illinois
[November 14, 2026]
By KYLE GLASER
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — UCLA received a major scare when quarterback
Ty Dieffenbach went to the locker room with a left elbow injury in
the second quarter Friday night.
When he returned back to the sideline and re-entered the game in the
second half, it gave the Bruins the surge they needed.
Dieffenbach threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns while overcoming
the injury, and No. 4 UCLA remained unbeaten with a rain-soaked,
22-14 victory over Illinois at the Rose Bowl.
“When he came back, just running down the bench and getting a touch
on every single person on the team, letting them know that he’s
back, that’s leadership,” UCLA coach Bob Chesney said. “The
confidence I think that was gained from that, from him being back,
and the confidence he was portraying and showing to them, exuding,
that was certainly something that they all felt and understood.”
Aiden Mizell had six catches for 176 yards and a touchdown, and
Semaje Morgan added 56 yards receiving and a score for UCLA (10-0,
7-0 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP). Scooter Jackson had two interceptions, the
last with 2:50 left to stymie the Illini (6-4, 4-3).
UCLA started a season 10-0 for the third time in program history.
Dieffenbach left with 35 seconds to go in the first half after he
fell hard on his left elbow and humerus following a hit by defensive
lineman Carter Janki. Third-stringer Madden Iamaleava played the
next three series for the Bruins as Dieffenbach remained in the
locker room with his arm feeling “nervy,” according to Chesney.
Dieffenbach returned with 55 seconds left in the third quarter to a
loud ovation from the crowd. He led UCLA on an eight-play, 75-yard
scoring drive on his first drive back, capped by a 26-yard touchdown
pass to Morgan.
“I kind of went down a little awkward on the tackle and my arm got
caught up underneath (and) it just got a little tight on me,”
Dieffenbach said. “That crowd reaction was unbelievable."
Dieffenbach, a senior transfer from Cal Poly, completed 13 of 20
passes and improved to 5-0 as the Bruins’ starting quarterback. He
became the starter after Nico Iamaleava, the older brother of Madden
Iamaleava, sustained a season-ending knee injury against Oregon on
Oct. 10.
“There’s a lot that he had to go through there but you know he’s a
warrior,” Chesney said.
The Bruins had three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a safety
while limiting Illinois to 240 yards. UCLA has held seven straight
opponents to 20 points or less and upped its season total to 31
takeaways, most in the nation.
[to top of second column] |
UCLA wide receiver Aidan Mizell (1) runs with the ball during the
first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday,
Nov. 13, 2026, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
“I wouldn’t say they’re exotic, but they bring a
lot of different things,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “They
bring a lot of different looks."
Katin Houser went 16 of 34 for 176 yards with two
touchdowns and three interceptions for the Illini, who saw their
four-game winning streak snapped. Kaden Feagin caught an 18-yard
touchdown pass and Collin Dixon hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass.
The Bruins jumped out to a 10-0 halftime lead. On just the fifth
play of the game, Dieffenbach hit Mizell on a 54-yard touchdown
strike down the sideline. It was Mizell’s third straight reception
that resulted in a touchdown after he had two 75-yard scores against
Maryland last week.
Mateen Bhaghani added a 20-yard field goal with 1:26 remaining
before halftime. UCLA got the ball back for one more possession, but
Dieffenbach went down and left the game with a trainer to end any
hopes of another score before the break.
Aiden Gobaira sacked Houser in the end zone for a safety to extend
the Bruins’ lead in the third quarter. After Illinois scored its
first with a touchdown to cut it to 12-7, Dieffenbach returned and
found Morgan early in the fourth quarter to re-extend the lead.
“I just told myself and told the huddle, I was like, ‘Let’s go.
Let’s go score a touchdown right here,’” Dieffenbach said. “We just
kept moving the chains and then were able to find end zone. It was
pretty cool.”
Houser connected with Dixon with 7:14 remaining to bring Illinois
within a touchdown at 19-14. The Illini forced a three-and-out to
get the ball back and had a chance to take the lead, but Jackson
intercepted Houser’s pass with 2:50 remaining.
Bhagnani kicked 37-yard field goal and Illinois’ last-gasp attempt
ended with a turnover on downs at its own 33.
Up next
Illinois: Hosts Iowa on next Saturday.
UCLA: At Michigan next Saturday.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
