Skip to main content
Ducks Digest

UCLA Coach Bob Chesney's Recent Comments on Oregon's Dan Lanning Speak Volumes

One of the bigger continuing storylines out of the Oregon Ducks' 17-15 loss against the No. 12 UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium is the injury to UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava, and a gesture from Oregon coach Dan Lanning drew a reaction from Bruins coach Bob Chesney.
Ally Osborne|
UCLA head coach Bob Chesney takes a timeout as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
UCLA head coach Bob Chesney takes a timeout as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

In this story:

UCLA BruinsOregon Ducks

While the Oregon Ducks turn the page to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, moments from Saturday's loss to the UCLA Bruins continue to linger.

One of those topics is the knee injury of UCLA senior starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is expected to be out indefinitely after missing the second half against the Ducks.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, talks with UCLA head coach Bob Chesney before the game as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, talks with UCLA head coach Bob Chesney before the game as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Dan Lanning Reaches Out To Bob Chesney Regarding Nico Iamaleava

Reports of Iamaleava's injury surfaced on Monday, and UCLA coach Bob Chesney was asked by California Post reporter Ben Bolch if Oregon coach Dan Lanning had reached out regarding Iamaleava's medical status.

"He's as stand up as a man and football coach as you possibly can be. He not only called me about Nico, but he also called me when we were in the hotel when our plane was delayed," Chesney said.

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava looks to pass as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava looks to pass as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Kindness Amongst Coaches

It seems that Chesney and Lanning have a friendly rapport, given the two coaches are on the rare younger side of the spectrum when it comes to college football coaches.Earlier in the season,Chesney reached out to Lanning to offer to check on Ducks' senior quarterback Dante Moore after he suffered a concussion in the second quarter of Oregon's road game against the USC Trojans.

“I just wanted to make sure if he needed anything, that he knew I was there. Even if it was just to stop over real quick and make sure there's someone in the football world to say hi, that's what I wanted to be able to do and just make sure he understood that he wasn’t just left behind all alone here in L.A.," Chesney said about his offer two weeks before the Bruins traveled to Autzen Stadium.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field before the game as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at A
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks the field before the game as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Roughness Controversy With Bear Alexander

On the play that Iamaleava received attention from UCLA’s medical staff and subsequently exited the game, the Bruins quarterback was tackled on Oregon’s 22-yard line by both senior defensive lineman Bear Alexander and junior inside linebacker Jerry Mixon, late in the second quarter. Iamaleava returned after missing one play and threw an interception, and the UCLA quarterback came out of halftime in street clothes.

Many online shared the zoomed-in clip of the tackle that sent Iamaleava out for a play and honed in on Alexander's hand movements, which appeared to be "punching" towards the Bruins' quarterbacks' head.

When asked about Alexander's actions on the field, Chesney called it "egrigious." Lanning insisted that Alexander's punching motions were aiming for the ball.

"You know, Bear knows that. I think he feels bad about that. It's one of the first things he said to me, 'I didn't want to - I wasn't trying to hurt the guy.' And I don't think that's how he got hurt, it was actually on a lower extremity. You don't want to see it play out like that, but you want your players to be aggressive and punch the ball out," Lanning added.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A born and raised Oregonian, Ally Osborne has a passion for sporting events across her home state. She began writing for Oregon Ducks on SI in 2021. Currently a morning talk show host and sports reporter for KOIN 6 and Portland's CW in Portland, Oregon, Ally is engrained in her community. Finding and sharing stories that highlight the unique culture and connectivity sports creates is a part of her DNA. She frequently contributes sports content to KOIN's broadcast and streaming platforms while hosting talk show "Everyday Northwest" and video podcast "Tower Talk Live" every weekday. With Portland being her third-worked television market (second in Oregon), Osborne brings hard-news and feature-reporting experience to compliment her expertise for sports storytelling. Her journalistic endeavors and art creations (many of which are inspired by the Oregon Ducks) can be found on her social media pages. Ally graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. 

Home/Football