It’s been longer than a year since Ben Gulbranson started a game at quarterback for Oregon State.

The last time Gulbranson took a meaningful snap, he was most valuable player of the Las Vegas Bowl. Since then, No. 19 Oregon State brought in two quarterbacks who jumped ahead him on the depth chart.

Outside of a last-minute series in a blowout win over Stanford, Gulbranson spent his season signaling in plays and being a good teammate.

With DJ Uiagalelei in the transfer portal and Aidan Chiles off to Michigan State, Gulbranson gets a chance to help OSU end the season on an upbeat note. The fourth-year sophomore starts Friday’s Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas against No. 16 Notre Dame.

Gulbranson, who won seven of eight games as a starter during the 2022 season, holds no grudge. Frankly, he appears grateful to return to action.

“I feel like I continue to grow as a player each and every day, and as a person each and every day,” Gulbranson said.

“I’m confident in my abilities to go out and play. I’m really excited for this opportunity.”

Gulbranson won’t say if Friday is the end for him at Oregon State or college football.

It’s possible. Gulbranson wrapped up a master’s degree this fall. It’s no secret he has an eye on medical school.

“I’m just focused on Notre Dame at this point,” Gulbranson said. “I’m giving them my best effort. For the guys on the team, the coaches, Beaver Nation. I haven’t really thought past that.”

Whatever happens to Gulbranson in 2024 and beyond, he doesn’t view 2023 as a lost season. Gulbranson’s viewpoint of how 2023 developed is steeped in “perspective.” Gulbranson said he enjoyed working with Uiagalelei and Chiles, and helping put together game plans.

“It’s kind of helped me become a more well-rounded person,” he said. “You realize football is a gift. It’s an opportunity. It’s a privilege to play this game. I think being able to kind of step back and see it like this is pretty sweet. I’m cherishing every snap I get, whether it be in practice, whether it be in a bowl game.”

Fans of Oregon State didn’t see much good when Uiagalelei and Chiles landed in the transfer portal shortly after the season. Uiagalelei started every game this season, while Chiles represented the future. But for Gulbranson, the portal opened a door. Gulbranson said he wishes Uiagalelei and Chiles the best, but he understands what it means for him.

As a backup, Gulbranson prepared for games as though he might play. But for the Sun Bowl, it’s different.

He’s taking most of the reps in practice as the starter.

“The guy’s played a lot of football. It’s just a matter of him getting back into the flow of it,” OSU interim coach Kefense Hynson said. “It’s been a pretty easy transition.”

Gulbranson won’t be someone he’s not Friday in Sun Bowl Stadium. He’s not Uiagalelei, a quarterback with a big arm and ability to run over defenders at 252 pounds. Or Chiles, the shifty freshman whose legs and arm are a tantalizing combination.

Gulbranson hopes to pick up where he left off a year ago in Las Vegas. A quarterback who can keep the chains moving and occasionally hit the big play through the air.

He won’t be at the mesh point on a lot of read options or consistently try to run for first downs.

“Just going to play my game,” Gulbranson said.

A year ago, that was good enough in seven of eight games.