PASADENA, Calif. -- UCLA starting quarterback Ty Dieffenbach exited just before halftime because of a shoulder injury Friday, but returned in the third quarter to lead the No. 4 Bruins past Illinois 22-14 for their 10th win of the season, tying a program record last reached in 1998.
With 35 seconds left in the first half and the Bruins driving, Dieffenbach was tackled after throwing the ball downfield and appeared to land awkwardly. After being examined on the field by trainers, he stood and gingerly walked off the field with the help of two fellow players.
"I went down a little awkward on the tackle, and my arm got caught up," said Dieffenbach, who is also nursing an ankle injury. "It just got tight. It's nothing serious."
Coach Bob Chesney confirmed that Dieffenbach's injury wasn't serious and said he landed awkwardly on his non-throwing arm and hurt his elbow.
"At halftime, his shoes are off, and he's got no shoulder pads. I'm like, 'Yeah, get your shoes back on,'" Chesney said. "But we had to go make sure everything was good in there and he was ready to go."
The former Cal Poly quarterback, who took over after Week 1 starter Nico Iamaleava suffered a season-ending injury against Oregon last month, has led UCLA to four wins in four starts and has thrown 986 yards and six touchdowns. On Friday, he had thrown for 168 yards and a touchdown before he was replaced by third-stringer Madden Iamaleava, Nico's brother.
Madden Iamaleava had one pass attempt all season and went 0-for-2 in his stint Friday before the first half ended. The Bruins led the Illini 10-0 at the time.
In the second half, with Dieffenbach still being evaluated, Madden Iamaleava led two drives that ended in a punt and a turnover on downs. By the time Dieffenbach finally emerged from the locker room to a loud ovation, UCLA was only up 12-7.
"One of the best moments of my life hearing that crowd," Dieffenbach said.
With their starter back under center, the Bruins stitched together a touchdown drive propelled by Dieffenbach's five completions on five attempts for 64 yards. The senior capped it with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Semaj Morgan to put UCLA back up 12.
"I think that's where he's grown the most," Chesney said. "Going into that Oregon game and having a lot of confidence in himself, but now I think others have confidence in him."
Dieffenbach finished with 232 passing yards and two touchdowns. Bolstered by the three turnovers forced by the defense, which leads the country in takeaways with 30, the Bruins remained one of two FBS teams still undefeated.
"We can't look ahead. We can't listen to anybody tell us we're good, or we're bad, or whatever it might be," Chesney said. "We just have to take a deep dive and self-evaluate on a day-to-day basis and figure out: How can we get better?"
In Chesney's first year at the school, the Bruins are 10-0. They have reached double-digit regular-season wins for the first time in 28 years and have the inside track to the Big Ten championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
It was no surprise that UCLA drew a season-high crowd of 45,800 and that, as Chesney walked off the rain-soaked field at the Rose Bowl, the fans surrounding the tunnel began chanting his name.
"Obviously, getting your name chanted is pretty fun, especially walking off with your wife and your daughters; it's pretty special," Chesney said with a smile. "I appreciate [the fans] as much as they appreciate our program."