Kentucky's Bo Barnes ejected for targeting on 'easily avoidable' play

LEXINGTON — Kentucky football will have to go the rest of the way without Elijah “Bo” Barnes.

A sophomore linebacker, Barnes was ejected from UK’s game against South Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 26. Barnes initially had come up with a third-down stop in the waning stages of the second quarter. He hit USA QB Jared Hollins so hard that Barnes forced a fumble.

But officials immediately threw a flag, assessing Barnes a personal foul and giving the Jaguars a first down.

Then, after review, the officiating crew determined Barnes had committed a targeting foul. He was ejected and will not be able to return during Saturday’s game. His ejection occurred with exactly two minutes remaining in the first half.

“Kentucky fans don’t like it, but it’s the right call,” said Cole Cubelic, the color commentator for the SEC Network television broadcast of Saturday’s game at Kroger Field.

And Cubelic was correct: Fans of the Wildcats immediately took to social media to cry foul.

“From a common sense perspective,” Cubelic said, “that’s a play that’s easily avoidable. … That’s a vicious hit.”

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky’s Bo Barnes ejected for targeting on ‘easily avoidable’ play