STANFORD UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

October 21, 2023

Ethan Garbers

Carson Steele

Postgame Media Conference

Stanford 7, UCLA 42

Q. Ethan, what was it like to be back out there after a little time away?

ETHAN GARBERS: Oh, man, it felt great. You know, it's what we do. At the end of the day we're just -- the best thing about football is football, and getting out there and playing and being with the guys that I spend all my time with, it was awesome. Phenomenal.

Q. When did you find out you were going to start?

ETHAN GARBERS: Towards the end of the week. I got the majority of the reps during the week and then just towards the end we made the decision and went full speed with it.

Q. This obviously burns your redshirt. Did you have a conversation with Coach about that?

ETHAN GARBERS: No, we didn't talk about that. I mean, my focus was just on the team and helping the team win any way I can, and that's what the main focus is.

Q. How would you assess your performance? Pretty efficient today. Extended some plays with your feet. Converted a lot of third downs.

ETHAN GARBERS: It is what it is. I mean, there is a lot to improve on. Excited to watch the tape and get back to work and see what we can correct.

Q. Carson, gave your team a 21-nothing lead on your 21st birthday; how special is that?

CARSON STEELE: It's pretty cool. It's awesome how little things like that kind of work. You know, just being able to jump out in front and hold them down, especially our defense holding them, you know, they came off a 30-point underdog last week and end up winning.

So being able to come in and have our defense hold them down and coming out with a big victory.

Q. How did you celebrate, your teammates celebrate your birthday with you? Anything special?

CARSON STEELE: Not really. Kind of wish we did. We were really focused on the game, so -- and we got practice early tomorrow, too, so nothing crazy tonight. Definitely I'll take the win. Take a celebration with that as well.

Q. Did you think about it when it was 21-nothing, that it was his birthday?

ETHAN GARBERS: I was thinking about it, yeah. Some people were telling me some stuff. It was kind of cool to see that.

Q. What was the message at halftime. You guys were up 21 nothing. Obviously Stanford was (indiscernible). What was the message at halftime? Keep the foot on the gas?

ETHAN GARBERS: Yeah, exactly. Like you were saying, they came off a big win last week, being down 30 some points, so just having at that mindset it's a 0-0 game coming in every quarter. Our defense was playing lights out the whole four quarters as well as offense, and that really helped us to keep the mojo and keep us ahead.

Q. Ethan did you talk to Dante before the game? What was your interaction with him?

ETHAN GARBERS: Yeah, we talked briefly, but it was just kind of normal. We support each other in anything we do. I look for his success, he looks for mine. It's a good relationship we have. It's nice to just bounce some ideas or thoughts that you have off on the guy who's pretty much in the same position you are.

So he's been great. He's a great kid and he's a great football player.

Q. (Regarding playing down the road at Cal.)

ETHAN GARBERS: Yeah, no, he's been phenomenal. He's helped me a lot in just managing the game and everything like that. He's been very helpful this year. Will continue to be of help.

Q. Ethan, Sturdivant I think had the lowest targets for the night. You have that little connection and chemistry going with him? Are you looking for him?

ETHAN GARBERS: It's hard not to. That guy stands out. He's a phenomenal football player. He's super fast. He's a great receiver. I mean, that's kind of the quarterback's job, is you got to get the ball in the playmaker's hands and let them do the work.

I might not be looking for him more or he's just open in the progression, it just comes how it comes and they'll get the targets however the progression plays out.

Q. What were those last few weeks for you like being on the sideline waiting, not knowing?

ETHAN GARBERS: Yeah, I mean, there was a lot of times where I just kind of wanted to not really -- kind of quit a little bit, but I had to keep my head straight and keep moving because you never know what can happen. You're always one play, one snap away.

I got to still prepare like I'm the starter every week. That's the mindset I keep going, and it works out.

Q. How has it been with Collin's injury?

ETHAN GARBERS: He's good. I see him briefly here and there during the week, but he's doing good.