UCLA Football Injury Report: Starting QB Determined For USC Grudge Match

It's a returning Chip Kelly favorite!

Your UCLA Bruins will be starting an old favorite today.

One week after a disastrous Collin Schlee outing against the Arizona State University Devils (during which UCLA was upset 17-7), Pete Thamel of ESPN reveals that junior quarterback Ethan Garbers is now healthy enough to take the field today at the Coliseum, when the 6-4 Bruins will strive to fend off the 7-4 USC Trojans in enemy territory.

Garbers and true freshman Dante Moore, both preferred players in Kelly's offense over Schlee (who was still used as a running option occasionally alongside either player), were technically available but both still banged-up enough from injuries incurred during the Bruins' 27-10 loss to Arizona on November 4th that Kelly opted not to risk playing either one.

Prior to Thamel's scoop, James H. Williams of The Orange County Register revealed pregame that both Garbers and Moore were wearing full pads today at the Coliseum, warming up with colleagues ahead of the matinee meeting.

Ethan Garbers and Dante Moore are among the UCLA quarterbacks out on the field in full pads. pic.twitter.com/1yiSmB5vlo

— James H. Williams covers UCLA football (@JHWreporter) November 18, 2023

Today will mark just the sixth career start for Garbers, and the fifth this season. The 6'3", 210-pound Newport Beach native has passed for a total of 786 yards and six touchdowns (against three interceptions) for a 68.4 quarterback rating.

The action tips off today at 12:30 p.m. PT on ABC.

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