Sports
Will Ethan Garbers play for UCLA vs. Penn State? 'He's going to try'
Already nearly four-touchdown underdogs against Penn State, UCLA might not have liked where oddsmakers moved the betting line had they watched the team’s first practice of the week.
Starting quarterback Ethan Garbers was not on the field for the beginning of the Monday evening session. The only quarterbacks in non-scout team jerseys were backups Justyn Martin and Nick Billoups, who have combined to throw five passes at the college level.
But there could be a comeback story developing before the Bruins (1-3 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) kick off against the seventh-ranked Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0) on Saturday at Beaver Stadium.
UCLA coach DeShaun Foster said that Garbers, who was sidelined for the final nine minutes of the Bruins’ loss to Oregon last weekend with an unspecified injury, told him that he expected to play against Penn State.
“Unless we hold him out,” Foster said, “he’s going to try to get out there and play.”
Garbers exited the Oregon game after absorbing four sacks and limping his way around the field for much of the second half. After his final play, in which he was walloped in the end zone, Garbers appeared to briefly hold the back of his head.
Foster said he wanted Garbers to rest Monday so that Martin could get extra practice repetitions in case Garbers isn’t available Saturday. Garbers spent the early portion of the Tuesday morning practice that was open to the media riding an exercise bike on the edge of the practice field.
UCLA’s other options Saturday could be described as in like-new condition. Martin, a redshirt sophomore, has appeared in two games this season, completing two of five passes for 12 yards.
Billoups, a transfer who spent the last three seasons at Brigham Young after one season at Utah, has not thrown a pass in a college game. Foster said freshman Henry Hasselbeck, the son of former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, would be the next in line to play after Martin and Billoups.
Foster said Garbers was “in good spirits,” adding that he was eager to see what the quarterback could do later in the week. It’s been a tough start to 2024 for Garbers, who has faced constant pressure and struggled to find a rhythm during his first season in new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s pro-style scheme.
The fifth-year senior has completed a career-low 57.3% of his passes for 808 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions.
After replacing Garbers two plays into the Bruins’ final drive against Oregon, Martin completed one of four passes for seven yards. It was the first significant playing time at the college level for the dual-threat quarterback who once said he could hurdle defenders better than former Bruin counterpart Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
“It’s just good to get some of the young quarterbacks that haven’t played in games just live reps,” Foster said. “I think he handled it pretty well and hopefully we can build on that for Justyn.”
Too soon to quit?
UCLA coach DeShaun Foster watches from the sideline during the final seconds of the Bruins’ loss to Oregon on Saturday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
UCLA was holding onto slim comeback hopes when it punted in the fourth quarter of its last two games.
Trailing by 17 points against Louisiana State, the Bruins punted with 4½ minutes left. Down by 21 points against Oregon, the Bruins punted with slightly less than seven minutes to play.
Noting that his team faced identical fourth-and-10 situations at its own 41-yard line in each instance, Foster said those punts were a reflection of an offense that wasn’t getting the job done, not capitulation.
“Just because you punt, that’s not saying that you’re giving up because we haven’t given up in any of the games that we’ve played,” Foster said. “One thing I can say is that these guys are playing hard no matter what, so it’s not a giving up situation. If my team is still playing well and they’re playing hard, then yeah, but if offensively we’re not moving the ball well enough, then I’m not going to put them in a situation just to try to get the first down.”
Etc.
Foster said left tackle Reuben Unije was injured against Oregon, and Unije did not appear to be on the field during the early part of practice open to reporters Monday. Jaylan Jeffers and Niki Prongos alternated at left tackle in Unije’s absence against the Ducks. … UCLA received non-binding verbal commitments from twin brothers Jaron and Kennan Pula of Timpview High in Provo, Utah. Jaron is a junior wide receiver and Kennan a junior safety. They are the second and third players to commit to the Bruins from the Class of 2026, joining Santa Margarita wide receiver Jonah Smith. … UCLA’s game against Minnesota on Oct. 12 at the Rose Bowl will kick off at 6 p.m. and air on Big Ten Network.
Sports
Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship
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There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.
Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.
Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.
“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”
If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.
The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.
“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.
It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.
Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.
After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.
The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.
Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?
Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.
When was the last time you were in Long Beach?
Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.
You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?
Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.
You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?
Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.
You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?
Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.
Why do you love volleyball?
Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.
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CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”
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Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.
Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.
“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.
Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.
Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
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Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.
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