DeShaun Foster provides update on UCLA QB situation before Penn State matchup

James Franklin and Penn State football are set to host a morally battered and bruised UCLA squad in less than 48 hours, the programs’ first meeting in 56 years. Sitting at 1-3, Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster is hoping to prevent a bad situation from getting worse, with the status of UCLA starting quarterback Ethan Garbers still in question heading into Saturday’s matchup with the seventh-ranked Nittany Lions.

Garbers, who has 808 passing yards and a 3-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio on the season, was reportedly sidelined early in the week following the Bruins’ 34-14 loss to Oregon last weekend. While the redshirt senior did return to the practice field by midweek, it’s been redshirt sophomore Justyn Martin taking the first-team snaps.

“We’re able to get Justyn Martin a couple more reps,” DeShaun Foster said on Wednesday. “Ethan took a lot of just mental reps today, and hopefully, we’ll see what he can do tomorrow.”

But Foster was not ready to speak definitively on the UCLA quarterback situation for Saturday.

“No, most definitely not,” he said when asked if it’s been determined whether or not Ethan Garbers will play.

Former blue chip quarterback could see first considerable action if Ethan Garbers is out

A former four-star, Justyn Martin was a top-20 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting cycle. However, his field time has been limited since arriving in Westwood, completing five passes for 33 yards and rushing seven times for 19 yards over the last two seasons.

But DeShaun Foster is confident in what he’s seen out of Martin this week in practice ahead of his potential showdown with the Nittany Lions.

“He’s doing well because it was just more of [a situation where] if we can get Justyn some more reps just in case,” Foster said. “So, I’m pleased with what he’s doing: commanding the huddle, getting guys lined up in the right position. So, Justyn’s making strides and trending in the right direction.”

Potentially hours away from making his first start on the road against one of the top defenses in the country, Foster is simplifying his advice for the young quarterback.

“Just make sure you know [you] just can’t hold on to the ball, basically,” Foster said of what he’s told Martin this week. “That’s really it. They have a really good D-line, so we can’t hold on to the football.

“And just make sure that he’s ready for the crowd noise and the environment, most likely, because this will be his first time playing in that type of environment.”

How is Penn State football preparing for UCLA’s quarterback situation?

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Across the country in Happy Valley, James Franklin was also asked about the UCLA quarterback room on Wednesday evening. The relative uncertainty presents a unique challenge for Tom Allen and the Nittany Lions defense coming off a strong second half against Illinois last Saturday night.

But inside the Lasch Building, James Franklin is trying to strike a balance of preparedness without letting it get out of hand.

“We’re controlling the things that we can control,” Franklin told reporters following practice. “From what I have seen and heard, they’re planning on playing [Garbers], if he’s available to play. All we can do is prepare off of what we’ve seen on tape.

“We haven’t seen the other kid. We went back and watched his high school tape, but there’s not a whole lot we can do but just prepare for what we see on film. And then, obviously, this guy supposedly is more of an athlete, so we get that, but we can’t chase ghosts. We got to prepare for what we have seen.”

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