**Justyn Martin Shines in First Start Despite UCLA's Loss to Penn State**

UCLA may have discovered a bright spot in what has been a challenging season. Justyn Martin, stepping up as quarterback for the injured Ethan Garbers, impressed in his first start, showing poise and efficient play against a formidable Penn State team. Although the Bruins ultimately fell 27-11 to the No. 7 ranked Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium, Martin's performance offered a glimpse of potential for the struggling squad.

Martin completed his first six passes, displaying a command of the offense and making smart decisions against one of college football's toughest environments. "Took command of the offense and just made plays," UCLA coach DeShaun Foster said. "We just have to build off this and hopefully we can build some momentum and get going."

Despite the daunting task of facing Penn State, Martin showed no signs of nerves. "I didn't have nerves - I was more excited," he said after being informed during pregame warmups that he would start. Martin's solid performance included completing 22 of 30 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating his capability to handle the pressure.

The Bruins' offense, often stalling under Garbers, seemed rejuvenated with Martin under center. His ability to make decisive plays was evident in a late-game drive where he showcased his mobility and poise, converting crucial plays and scoring a touchdown pass to Logan Loya. "The biggest thing for us is to finish, no matter what the score is," Martin said. "We didn't come out here to lay over, we came out here to win and play to the last snap."

The key question now is whether UCLA will stick with Martin or revert to Garbers once he recovers from his unspecified injury. Foster hinted that Garbers might retain the starting position, stating, "This is Ethan's team," but acknowledged Martin's promising debut. "The type of player that Justyn is, I think he'll understand the situation, and he'll continue to get reps and just continue to get more growth throughout the season."

During the game, Martin benefited from strategic play-calling by offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and support from a restructured offensive line. Despite some struggles in the second half, the Bruins' line initially held strong, allowing Martin the time to execute plays effectively.

UCLA's defense also showed early promise, but Penn State capitalized on key moments, extending their lead before halftime. As the game progressed, the Nittany Lions' consistent offense proved too much for the Bruins to overcome, despite Martin's late touchdown pass.

Coach Foster remained optimistic about the team's effort and future prospects. "The way that my guys fight, how resilient they are," he said, "those are really good things to build off of." As the Bruins look ahead, Martin's promising debut offers a glimmer of hope for more competitive showings in the weeks to come.