Chris Rodriguez has 26 career rushing touchdowns. (Vicky Graff Photo)
It’s going to take more than the return of running back Chris Rodriguez for Kentucky to win at Ole Miss Saturday. However, getting the all-SEC runner back from a four-game suspension certainly enhances UK’s chances of winning.
Remember he already has 2,740 career rushing yards, sixth best all time at UK, and his 26 rushing touchdowns are tied with Sonny Collins and Moe Williams, two elite players, for second best at UK (only 10 players at UK have ever had 20 or more rushing touchdowns).
Quarterback Will Levis said after Saturday’s win over Northern Illinois that he was “excited” to have Rodriguez returning to the lineup.
“He’s been getting all of the mental reps and he understands the offense on a high level,” Levis said. “He makes those plays where you’re kinda like ‘how did he turn that one-yard run into a 10-yard run?”
“There’s not many guys that can do that. We have such a deep running back room. It’s gonna be great to continue to get those other guys the ball as well. I know Chris is excited to get back and we’re excited to have him back.”
Coach Mark Stoops Monday said that Rodriguez did not need to be the team’s “savior” against Mississippi. Just doing what he does best is all Stoops expects.
Linebacker DeAndre Square often works out with Rodriguez and knows how hard he has been working even while he was suspended to get ready for this opportunity.
“I’m excited to see him get his chance,” Square said. “A lot of unfortunate things happened, but he stayed the course.”
“He was at every practice, he never moped, never frowned. He just worked hard. I’m just really excited to see what he can do.”
One Response
I feel C-Rod could be the one dimension needed for UK to see victory in Oxford.
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