A 68-yard touchdown against Cal says yes. What Barner does best is hit the hole quickly. What he lacks from LMJ’s arsenal is the ability to create his own.
Barner can run hard inside. Think about the crucial 18-play, 9:25 drive against the Bears last year. It was Barner who came off the bench and accelerated upfield, pounding a tired Cal front that was losing its will.
When James had to sit out the opener in 2010, it was Kenjon who ran and caught for five touchdowns. When LMJ was banged up at the end of the year, Barner ran for 138 against the Beavers in the Civil War.
But in the National Championship Game, Barner got stood up on four cracks inside the five. That memory may help drive him forward on Saturday night.
Kenjon Barner’s averaged six yards a carry in his Oregon career, and he’s maintained that average all three seasons.
He’ll run effectively against ASU, but he’s not likely to carry 25-30 times. Carson, DAT, Darron and Huff will have to take part of the load.
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