UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers passes against Hawaii in the first half Saturday.

(Darryl Oumi / Getty Images)

Expected to be a steadying force, Garbers was one of the reasons things went haywire in the first half.

The veteran quarterback repeatedly locked onto receivers during slow-developing plays, resulting in telegraphed passes that usually fell incomplete. He also made two bad decisions, throwing into a throng of defenders in the end zone and hurling a ball up for grabs while in the clutches of a defender to prevent a safety. Both passes resulted in interceptions.

“Everyone was trying to do too much instead of just sticking to their job, including me, you know, trying to make plays, trying to put stuff that wasn’t really there,” Garbers said. “You know, I got to be smarter. I got to be more calm and more collected back there.”

That’s exactly what he did in the second half, rallying the Bruins with shorter — and smarter — passes in addition to the 39-yard touchdown he fired to Rico Flores Jr. after stepping up in the pocket. Finally resembling the player who was selected most valuable player of the LA Bowl, Garbers completed 13 of his final 19 passes for 203 yards.

That’s the guy UCLA is going to need to get back to a bowl game this season.