routinely hears it in practice, that he should prepare like he’s going to be a starter.
It’s become more than a saying this week.
Barnes could start at weak-side linebacker for No. 25 UCLA (2-0) against Memphis (1-0) on Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium after teammate Kenny Young sustained head trauma last week against Hawaii on a play that officials later acknowledged should have resulted in a targeting penalty.
Young’s status remained unclear because Bruins coach Jim Mora does not provide injury updates during the season, and reporters are not allowed to watch the majority of practice or report on which players are participating in the warmup period they are allowed to observe.