Niko Yamaleava returned.
UCLA guard who missed last weekend's game game against Ohio State due to a concussion, he was cleared to play against Washington on Saturday in the Rose Bowl, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the health issues. Yamaleava was released on concussion protocol Monday night.
The return of the Bruins' best player should provide a significant boost to the offense, which unveiled a conservative game plan against the Buckeyes led by backup guard Luke Duncan.
UCLA's offensive line will also be back at full strength with the expected return of cornerback Garrett DiGiorgio and interception Ruben Unije from injuries. DiGiorgio missed the game against the Buckeyes with back spasms, and Unie left the game with a lower-body injury.
Yamaleawa has undoubtedly been the Bruins' best offensive weapon this season. after transferring from Tennessee. He completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,659 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions and led the team with 474 yards and four touchdowns on 96 carries.
Yamaleawa's refusal to slide or run out of bounds may have contributed to his concussion, as his fearlessness saw him repeatedly take hard hits. He took several punishing blows against Nebraska earlier this month. before he developed concussion symptoms the following week, causing him to miss the game against Ohio State.
Duncan played admirably in Yamaleawa's absence, completing 16 of 23 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown without an interception. He looked more comfortable as the game progressed, with the demands of the game increasingly allowing him to throw the ball further down the pitch.
Duncan will now happily give up his spot to Yamaleawa as the Bruins (3-7 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) look to snap a three-game losing streak with a win over the Huskies (7-3, 4-3).
