Ohio State is welcoming the UCLA Bruins into the Horseshoe today as the Bruins will make the cross-country trip for the Big Ten matchup. UCLA is 3-6 on the season and has been without a head coach since the third week of the 2025 season.
The Bruins seem to be a team that Ohio State can certainly beat up on, but a change of quarterbacks for the Bruins could mess with that. ESPN's Pete Thamel announced UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be out against the Buckeyes, meaning that quarterback Luke Duncan will get his first career start against the No. 1 team in the country.
Ohio State will now have to change its defensive game plan for new UCLA QB Luke Duncan
UCLA with be without quarterback Nico Iamaleava today at Ohio State, sources confirm to ESPN. He’s dealing with a concussion that occurred in the Nebraska game and will not play on Saturday. Redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan will get his first career start. On3 first reported. pic.twitter.com/5wbMLIqp4I
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 15, 2025
Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is not easily shaken when it comes to news of opponents. The Ohio State defense has been the best all season long, so taking on a sophomore quarterback making his first career start isn't going to scare this defense.
However, things do change now as Duncan doesn't have a lot of film on him showing the type of play he has. Patricia and the Ohio State were planning to take on Iamaleava, and that was the game plan they had set for today's matchup.
The Buckeyes will have to be on the top of their play this week as this could now easily turn into a trap game for Ohio State. A quarterback that no one knows much about could spell trouble for the Buckeyes.