UCLA Football: Ethan Garbers Out at QB, Justyn Martin Starts vs Penn State

Valentina Martinez | Oct 5, 2024

Sep 28, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Justyn Martin (6) looks for an open receiver during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

A mystery no more, UCLA backup quarterback Justyn Martin is the starter for Saturday's game against Penn State. Martin is a red shirt sophomore.

UCLA QB Justyn Martin announced as the starter on the FOX broadcast.

— James H. Williams covers UCLA football (@JHWreporter) October 5, 2024

The Bruins used Ethan Garbers as their quarterback in the first four games of the season, but he was questionable heading into the game because of an unspecified injury.

“For UCLA in State College today, they are four touchdown underdogs, and they may be without quarterback Ethan Garbers,” ESPN's Pete Thamel said on College GameDay. “I’m told he’s a game time decision. He’s expected to warm up, but he’s been limited in practice this week., a sophomore who has five career passing attempts, has been taking the first team reps.”

Garbers made his departure from the Oregon game after getting sacked four times. He limped throughout the second half and his final play of the game concluded with Garbers holding the back of his head.

Garbers didn't participate in practice Monday, which gave Martin extra reps for Saturday's matchup.

This is Martin's first-ever collegiate start and his third appearance this season. It's evident out of the seven quarterbacks the Bruins could've turn to, one clear candidate emerged as the best option to replace Garbers as signal-caller.

“It’s just good to get some of the young quarterbacks that haven’t played in games just live reps,” Foster told Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times. “I think he handled it pretty well and hopefully we can build on that for Justyn.”

Martin played in two plays of UCLA's final drive against Oregon. He completed one of four passes for seven yards.

The Oregon game was the first significant time Martin had completed at the college level. In the 34-12 loss last weekend, Garbers was 12 for 20 and recorded 118 yards.

Garbers has completed a career-low 57.3 percent of his passes for 808 yards. The fifth-year senior has three touchdowns and six interceptions.

It's certainly not the stat line the Bruins were hoping for from their starting quarterback. But UCLA has been dealt an extremely tough schedule.

The Bruins are currently down 7-0 to the Penn State Nittany Lions. The 4-0 Lions look to continue their undefeated streak against UCLA.

Neither team scored in the first quarter of the matchup. It wasn't until the second quarter that Penn State managed to score a touchdown. Only time will tell if the matchup is a tale of two defenses.