Lessons learned from UCLA vs. LSU: Was not getting crushed by the Tigers a sign of progress?

His jersey was smeared with grass and even had a hint of purple from the LSU defenders who kept bumping into him. Ethan Garbers never lost his cool under pressure.

The UCLA quarterback's best moment came late in the first half when he escaped the initial pass rush by stepping up and throwing a touchdown pass to Logan Loya just as Loya was taking a heavy hit.

Garbers' spectacular play was the main reason the Bruins were tied at halftime, but having to play the hero in an offense with no running game also has its drawbacks. Throwing so many passes under pressure inevitably leads to mistakes.

The efficiency numbers are the worst of his career. Garbers has completed 56.7% of his passes while recording more interceptions (four) than touchdowns (three). He has also lost two fumbles and had another against the Tigers that resulted in a 19-yard loss in the third quarter after right tackle Garrett DiGiorgio pounced on the ball.

Garbers has said his main goal this season is to play in every game, but that may not happen unless he is better protected. He has been sacked eight times in three games and pressured another 10 times.

“You just have to want to do it. You have to want to get in there and keep that guy away from our quarterback,” UCLA coach DeShaun Foster said of the block. “So after watching that video and really analyzing what was going on out there, we should be able to fix that.”