REPORT: UCLA starting quarterback Ethan Garbers questionable for Penn State game

UCLA is coming to Happy Valley on Saturday to take on the Penn State football team. This will be the first meeting of the two teams as members of the Big Ten conference. While UCLA is struggling this season, its issues may grow larger before the game this weekend. The Nittany Lions could potentially face the backup QB Justyn Martin for the Bruins as starter Ethan Garbers is questionable for the noon kickoff.

The 2024 season has been an uphill climb for the UCLA Bruins. In their first season as members of the Big Ten, they’ve had to adjust to the physicality and travel in the new conference. Last weekend, they fell to the Oregon Ducks 34-14. But during that loss, it appears that starting quarterback Ethan Garbers sustained an apparent injury.

According to Bruin Report Online, the 247Sports affiliate for UCLA the expectation is that Garbers is questionable for Saturday’s game against the Penn State football team. They shared the following on Twitter / X on Monday.

“We’re hearing that UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers is questionable for Saturday’s game at Penn State. He’s been in a boot since the Oregon game, according to sources. We’ll hopefully see him tonight at UCLA’s-Practice-After-Dark.”

While it sounds like there will be more clarity to this report to come later this evening, the Bruins quarterback has struggled this season. He has thrown for 808 yards and three touchdowns against six interceptions in four games this season.

We’re hearing that #UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers is questionable for Saturday’s game at Penn State. He’s been in a boot since the Oregon game, according to sources. We’ll hopefully see him tonight at UCLA’s-Practice-After-Dark.

— Bruin Report Online (@BruinReport) September 30, 2024

Who will replace Garbers on Saturday if he’s ruled out?

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

According to the UCLA depth chart, Justyn Martin is UCLA’s backup quarterback. He has appeared in two games this season so far. Martin completed one of four pass attempts against Oregon. He also completed his lone pass attempt against Indiana on September 14.

Martin is from Inglewood (California) and he was a member of the 2022 recruiting class. Listed as a four-star prospect by 247Sports, Martin was the No. 17 QB in the same class as Drew Allar. Of course, the Nittany Lions gunslinger was the No. 1 ranked QB in the 2022 cycle.

We will see if Garbers will be able to go on Saturday against the Nittany Lions. The game is set to kick off at noon ET as part of FOX’s Big Noon Saturday.

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