LAFAYETTE (KATC) — Cajuns senior receiver Keenan Barnes will not be included in senior day festivities Saturday. Barnes will use the NCAA’s new redshirt rule to his advantage and come back for one more season Billy Napier confirmed this week.
Barnes has not played since September, fighting a knee injury. The NCAA’s new redshirt rules allows players to play up to four games while maintaining their redshirt eligibility. Barnes caught 12 passes for 168 yards and a TD this year.
Wednesday, coach Napier address other injuries noting that Garrald McDowell, Terik Miller and Percy Butler as the only players who will miss Saturday’s game against South Alabama (2-8.)
Napier said leading rusher Trey Ragas will likely play. He missed most of the Cajuns 36-22 win over Georgia State Saturday.
When asked if there were any consideration to resting Ragas ahead of what could be considered a Sun Belt West division championship game next week at ULM, Napier said no.
“Why would we do that? If we don’t win this game, none of it matters. We’re going to have every available player ready to play. That’s not even in our thought process at this time, nor will it ever truth be told,” he said.
Louisiana hosts South Alabama Saturday, kickoff is 4:00 p.m.
