Scangarello, Levis Excited to Plug Chris Rodriguez into Kentucky’s Offense

It is all in regards to the return of Chris Rodriguez Jr for Kentucky’s offense because it prepares to tackle Ole Miss. 

The sixth-all-time main rusher in program historical past is lastly set to make his 2022 debut on Saturday in Oxford because the Wildcats look to enhance to 5-0. 

On Monday, head coach Mark Stoops spoke in regards to the return of Rodriguez, saying that the Cats do not want him to come back in and be a “savior” for the offense, however relatively simply be himself.

Offensive coordinator Wealthy Scangarello echoed these sentiments following UK’s observe on Tuesday, although he is not denying the sheer luxurious will probably be to have him within the backfield as soon as once more: 

“It is good to only have him within the conferences making ready, realizing he is aside of this complete factor,” Scangarello mentioned. “He is such a great man and such a great participant, he makes us a lot a greater offense simply having him…his complete persona, the best way he carries himself, he is a veteran on this league, he is very tough-minded, tremendous proficient.”

Rodriguez pled responsible to a DUI cost in July, and rumors have additionally circulated surrounding an “off-the-field” challenge that coincided with him not seeing the sphere for the primary few video games of the season. Experiences revealed that an investigation was launched by the College of Kentucky in February, wanting into gamers on the Kentucky soccer staff for allegedly submitting inaccurate time playing cards whereas working underneath UK HealthCare. The names of the gamers have been redacted. It was lastly introduced on Sept. 12 that Rodriguez would make his return this coming Saturday. 

Whereas Scangarello would’ve liked to have had the senior in for the primary 4 video games of the 2022 marketing campaign, he can not less than relish in the truth that C-Rod will convey contemporary legs to a considerably overwhelmed up working again room. 

“Doubtless. He is stayed energetic, however he hasn’t been taken all the way down to the bottom in a month both,” Scangarello mentioned. “I am not nervous about that, he is been very dependable and sturdy, he is in nice form. He is dealt with issues very, very effectively in a really tough scenario so i am very proud of how he is carried himself mentally, taking himself to the place he must go.” 

Kavosiey Smoke has been serviceable within the beginning working again function, incomes 263 yards and one landing. Kentucky’s RB room has handled accidents this season as effectively, as senior switch Ramon Jefferson tore his ACL within the season-opener, whereas JuTahn McClain has additionally missed two video games.

One other distinctive factor that Rodriguez will convey to the backfield is his astounding capacity to interrupt tackles. So lots of his 2,739 yards have come after shedding off a defender or two. 

“He ran for lots of yards as a result of he isn’t gonna go down on contact,” Scangarello mentioned. “It is why he is gonna be a extremely good NFL working again.” 

“It’s totally uncommon that he would not make the primary one miss,” UK quarterback Will Levis mentioned. “If you’re in conditions like that, the place you suppose the play could also be damaged, it may be a optimistic game-winning play with a man like that. So, it is a matter of getting the ball in his arms at any time when we are able to.” 

If that is not sufficient, Rodriguez will even add a layer to Scangarello’s passing assault, one thing that none of his different RB compatriots have been capable of convey up to now this season. 

“It has been very pleasing to me, his capacity to run routes, his capacity to catch, his really feel for the cross recreation, I feel Will (Levis) likes throwing to him. It offers him nice worth on third downs, actually good in safety, he is massive, sturdy,” Scangarello mentioned. 

Whereas he hasn’t been working with the starters all through the season, C-Rod has nonetheless been collaborating in observe. Levis has seen the development of the veteran RB, and has even seen an uptick in his prep as his last season debut as a Wildcat approaches: 

“He is undoubtedly taking his preparation as much as a brand new degree realizing that he is taking part in this week and that there is a gameplan he has to give attention to critically now,” Levis mentioned. “He is an electrical playmaker that we’re excited to have again.” 

Seeing No. 24 on the sphere inside Vaught Hemingway Stadium will formally flip a brand new web page on Kentucky’s season, because it seems to stay undefeated in its second hostile surroundings of the 12 months. 

All eyes will probably be on the backfield in Oxford on Oct. 1. 

Kentucky Soccer Information

Kentucky launched its week 5 depth chart on Monday, welcoming again Chris Rodriguez Jr

Outdoors linebacker J.J. Weaver shouldn’t be anticipated to play this weekend in opposition to Ole Miss

SEC Nation will probably be in Oxford for the upcoming matchup between the No. 7 Wildcats and No. 14 Rebels

Kentucky vs. South Carolina will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 8

Barion Brown has been named the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week

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