Ethan Garbers calls it 'easy' decision to go in despite not being 100% for LA Bowl

The UCLA Bruins finished their 2023 season with a decisive victory over the Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl. The Bruins overcame a nine-point deficit at halftime to beat the Broncos 35-22, picking up win No. 8 on the year. And the star of that game was UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers.

What made Garbers’s performance against Boise State all the more impressive is that the Bruins quarterback did so while not feeling 100 percent. In fact, the way he felt prevented him from starting the game against the Broncos. So what was it that made Garbers so compelled to join the fray for UCLA despite not being at his best? According to the Bruins quarterback, it’s all about the team, and that made it easy for him to step up and step in when they needed it the most.

“This whole week and just before the game, I just wasn’t feeling 100 percent myself,” said Gabers. “But then, when I looked out there, the team needed me. And that’s my biggest priority. I mean, I’ll sacrifice my body for the team, for these guys that we put blood, sweat, and tears into it. And at the end of the day, it’s all for them. So it was an easy call, to say the least.”

Garbers finished the game, completing nine of his 12 pass attempts for 152 yards and two passing touchdowns. He was able to lead the Bruins on three drives that ended with a touchdown. And Garbers also finished off the drive that starting quarterback Collin Schlee got injured on with a score.

Kelly praises Garbers and reveals additional details on choosing his starter

Bruins head coach Chip Kelly also discussed Garbers’s impact and explained why he did not start the bowl game.

“I asked him; he didn’t feel great in warm-ups. He said he felt good to be a backup. And then, when Schlee went down on that long run, I asked him are you good to go? And he, ‘I’m good to go coach.’ He was a tremendous jump start for us. He’s a special kid, and I’m really proud of him,” said Kelly.

Schlee left the game early in the second half after a hit to the head on a 44-yard run to put UCLA in scoring position. Garbers ended the game and finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Ford.

Garbers would lead the Bruins on three straight touchdown drives and add one more late in the fourth for good measure. UCLA could’ve added to their point total on the game’s final drive but elected to show sportsmanship and kneel the game out one yard away from adding six more points.