What did UCLA coach DeShaun Foster say about QB Ethan Garbers, Penn State on Wednesday?
UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster held his final news conference of Penn State week in Los Angeles on Wednesday as the Bruins (1-3) prepare to visit State College for the first time as members of the Big Ten on Saturday. Foster’s team is fresh off a double-digit loss to Oregon and has dropped three straight contests. It now comes to Beaver Stadium as a four touchdown underdog and may be forced to play without its starting quarterback.
Senior Ethan Garbers was hurt against the Ducks and has yet to take any physical reps in practice this week. Backup Justyn Martin, a sophomore and former four-star, is currently taking them in his place. Foster is not yet ready to rule Garbers out for Saturday. But, the clock is ticking for him to get ready to go.
“We’re able to get Jusyn Martin a couple more reps [at Wednesday’s practice],” Foster said. “Ethan took a lot of just mental reps today. Hopefully we’ll see what he can do [on Thursday].
Garber has completed just 57.3 percent of his passes this season and is under near-constant duress from opposing defenses. He’s thrown for 808 yards but sports a 3-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Martin, meanwhile, has just five attempts total at the college level, and all of them have come this season.
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“He’s doing well,” Foster said of Martin. “[Wednesday] was [about] if we can get Justyn some more reps, just in case. I’m pleased with what he’s doing, commanding the huddle and getting guys lined up in the right position. Justyn is making strides and trending in the right direction.”
What is Foster’s message to Martin if he does have to play on Saturday at Penn State?
“Just making sure [that he knows] you can’t hold onto the ball, basically,” Foster said. “They have a really good d-line. So, you can’t hold onto the football. Just making sure that he’s ready for the crowd noise and that environment. I just keep telling him, it’s Inglewood vs. Morningside. They put up 100 in that game. So hopefully that resonates with him.
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Foster, of course, is referring to a high school game in which Martin threw 13 touchdown passes in a 106-0 Inglewood victory over Morningside.
DeShaun Foster talks Penn State
Foster fielded no questions about Penn State back on Monday. On Wednesday, he did. Here’s what he said.
On the Nittany Lions’ defense
“Everything [stands out]. Sticks [Lions edge Abdul Carter] is really good. [Zane Durant] up front, [Jaylen Reed] in the back; they got some really good players. NFL type. Guys that are excited to play defense. They run around. You can see their energy. Coach [James Franklin] has done a good job. Their culture is their culture You can just see it through their players.”
On the PSU offense
“We just keep playing good offense after good offense. It all starts with the quarterback. They have a good quarterback. Pretty good tight ends. Two running backs who are running the ball well. Some receivers. So, it’s going to be another explosive offense. So hopefully we can slow them down, puts some points up there, and get things going.”
