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Ty Dieffenbach Injury Update: Ucla Qb Hurts Leg, Returns For Touchdown

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The UCLA quarterback injuries continue.

Bruins starter Ty Dieffenbach was injured late in the first half of UCLA’s game against Michigan State before returning, a scary moment in what’s becoming a troubling situation for the No. 8 team in the country.

LIVE: Michigan State football vs UCLA live score updates, highlights

With just 20 seconds to go until halftime, Diffenbach was trying to scramble on a third down play before he was sacked. He was in immediate pain as his teammates called for assistance.

He was attended to for an extended period and was assisted as he walked off the field.

Ty Dieffenbach exits the field after spending time with the trainers. pic.twitter.com/kKKWC2BWt7

— CBS Sports College Football ???? (@CBSSportsCFB) October 24, 2026

Ty Diffenbach injury update

Dieffenbach appeared to injure his left leg and the severity of it is unknown.

However, UCLA got good news as Dieffenbach came back out in the field for the third quarter.

On his first pass back, he threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Brian Rowe Jr. to extend the Bruin lead.

It looked like it was going to be another painful loss for the Bruins. Dieffenbach became the starter after Nico Iamaleava suffered a season-ending knee injury against Oregon. Dieffenbach came in relief and made his first start against Wisconsin in Week 7.

Against the Spartans, he was 10-for-19 with 84 yards and 14 more on the ground prior to going down. UCLA led 14-7 at the time.

Who is UCLA backup QB?

The backup quarterback is a familiar name in Madden Iamalaeava, the younger brother of Nico.

Iamaleava was the backup to start the season but Dieffenbach took over the position after coach Bob Chesney said it was on a week-to-week basis.

Iamaleava has played sparingly in his two seasons at UCLA, attempting just one pass in five games played, appearing mostly in mop-up duty.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ty Dieffenbach injury update: UCLA QB hurts leg, returns for touchdown