UCLA Football: Ethan Garbers Wins Huge Honor For LA Bowl Performance

Good way to end the season.

A 35-22 victory has clinched the LA Bowl for the Bruins. 

Putting up over 500 total yards against a solid Boise State squad was a great way to cap off of a season marred by inconsistency, underperformances, and a quarterback carousel, as Colin Schlee, TJ Harden, Ethan Garbers, and Anthony Adkins combined for 280 rushing yards. 

The most individually dominant player on the night, however, was QB Ethan Garbers, who led a terrific second half in which he put up 152 passing yards and two touchdowns. As a team, the Bruins put up 28 points, climbing out of a 16-7 first half hole. 

Ethan Garbers is the Player of the Game, presented by Chargel!

Garbers led a dominant @UCLAFootball second half performance with 1⃣5⃣2⃣ passing yards.#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/MKC7A5sfkd

— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) December 17, 2023

Garbers receiving the Player of the Game award encapsulated the Bruins' 2023 season as a whole, as Chip Kelly's decision to start Collin Schlee was the wrong one, and upon Garbers entering the game, the offense looked significantly better. Specifically, contrary to Schlee, Garbers was able to move the ball down the field at a much higher level, averaging 16.8 yards per completion to Schlee's 7.1.

While Garbers hasn't been perfect this season, the theme of starting the wrong quarterback and another performing better has happened countless times, and it's safe to say that the QB carousel will play an integral part in the retaining of Chip Kelly this offseason. 

As UCLA enters the offseason, they'll begin the search for a new defensive coordinator, following the departure of D'Anton Lynn to the Trojans, along with a potential search for a new quarterback, as former top recruit Dante Moore has entered the transfer portal.  

Don't forget to join our community at LA Sports Report, where we celebrate all things Bruins!