A Big Ten battle between No. 21 UCLA and No. 13 Oregon saw the Bruins emerge with a hard-fought 17-15 win to remain undefeated, and a controversial play featuring the Ducks' Bear Alexander drew serious backlash. With 32 seconds remaining in the game's second quarter, UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava was scrambling when Alexander and teammate Jerry Mixon took him down. As Iamaleava was going to the ground in an awkward twisting motion, both Mixon and Alexander attempted to punch the ball out of his hands.
However, Alexander's attempt to punch the ball came after Iamaleava landed on top of him during the tackle. While Alexander appeared to be swinging his arm to punch the football loose, he instead made contact with Iamaleava's neck, and replays of the play drew strong criticism from fans. Many were understandably irate about what they saw from Alexander and that the referees didn't issue any penalties.
Iamaleava exited the game with a lower-body injury after that play and didn't return for the second half; backup Ty Dieffenbach replaced him for the Bruins. More news: Caitlin Clark Trolls Nick Saban Ahead of Alabama-Georgia Game Commenters fired off replies to an X video from On3's Dean Ralsky, expressing frustration over Alexander's unnecessary actions on the field. Multiple commenters suggested that the Oregon defensive lineman should be punished for the incident.
"Can the Big Ten lay any kind of penalty after the game for un Sportsmanship?" someone asked. "Alexander should be suspended for that. And this from a Duck fan," another commenter said.
"Yo @CoachDanLanning what the F are you gonna do about your player #1!!!??" another commenter said. Others wrote, "@bigten ban this bum from the next game" and "Bear should get a suspension." In additional comments on a Trojan football fan post, commenters suggested, "They should start fining them.They are professionals," and "Well that kid will most likely get suspended lol." Several weeks ago, Oregon was in the headlines, but on the opposite side of a brutal play that knocked Ducks quarterback Dante Moore out of their game against the USC Trojans. In that incident, Moore was sliding on the field after he'd been scrambling with the football.
USC's Desman Stephens II came in with a late hit, which caused the back of Moore's head to bounce off the ground. After the play, ESPN reported Moore was carted off the field and taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for further medical evaluation. He was diagnosed with a concussion and hasn't played in an Oregon game since then, with Brock Thomas getting most of the snaps today and fellow backup Dylan Raiola also playing a bit in the losing effort.
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