Wildcats Don’t Need Chris Rodriguez to Play “Savior” Role for Kentucky

Kentucky’s offense is getting a serious improve on the sphere this weekend in Oxford towards Ole Miss. 

Star working again Chris Rodriguez Jr is lastly again for the Wildcats after lacking the primary 4 video games of the season. When you’ve someway missed the drama surrounding the senior, here is a small breakdown: 

Rodriguez pled responsible to a DUI cost in July, and rumors have additionally circulated surrounding an “off-the-field” concern that coincided with him not seeing the sphere for the primary few video games of the season. Stories revealed that an investigation was launched by the College of Kentucky in February, trying into gamers on the Kentucky soccer workforce for allegedly submitting inaccurate time playing cards whereas working beneath UK HealthCare. The names of the gamers had been redacted.

On Sept. 12, Stoops introduced that the senior would make his return on Oct. 1 towards Ole Miss, in the end ending his hiatus/suspension at 4 video games.

Here is what Stoops needed to say about getting Rodriguez again into the offense: 

“For Chris, it was a mattering of managing him whereas he was out…for Chris, he simply must be himself, he would not want to come back in and be our savior. We simply want him to be him.”

Whereas Stoops is not searching for a savior, that simply is perhaps what he will get. In 135 makes an attempt, UK has acquired 326 yards on the bottom, a measly 2.4 yards-per-carry. Rodriguez however, enters his season debut at sixth on UK’s all-time speeding record with 2,739 yards on 417 makes an attempt, a big-time 6.6 yards-per-carry. 

“We’re excited. We all know that whether or not he was with us or not, we had been going to have the ability to get issues carried out and we have now been, however he’s such a fantastic weapon to incorporate within the offense,” Will Levis stated of Rodriguez on the Paul Finebaum Present on Monday. “He’s been itching to get again on the market, practising his butt off and getting ready mentally as exhausting as anyone. Staying in form and ensuring he’s prepared for his return.

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

Redshirt freshman La’Vell Wright has added 76 yards of his personal on 29 makes an attempt in a backup position, however nobody has been in a position to match the anticipated manufacturing that Rodriguez will possible deliver upon his arrival. 

We aren’t speaking about simply any outdated working again, right here. If Rodriguez was accessible to play at first of the season, there’s an opportunity he would finish his profession because the top-rusher in program historical past. His capacity to interrupt tackles and prolong performs is second-to-none and can add multiple layer to Kentucky’s offense. 

Offensive coordinator Wealthy Scangarello had this to say about Rodriguez after UK’s 31-23 win over Northern Illinois: 

“He is particular. C-Rod, I imply, you simply do not do what he did final yr. I see it each day in follow,” Scangarello stated. “He is a distinction maker, distinction makers are what they’re, and I believe that simply supplies you one thing completely different and I am excited to get him again. I believe it’s going to be a shot to everybody and you realize, he is arguably pretty much as good as any again within the SEC.”

Kentucky faces arguably its tallest job of the season this weekend in Oxford, as Ole Miss may also enter the competition at 4-0. The Rebels are presently 6.5-point favorites, regardless of the return of the Wildcats’ high offensive weapon. 

Kentucky Soccer Information

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

Outdoors linebacker J.J. Weaver isn’t anticipated to play this weekend towards 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

Need the most recent on nationwide soccer and basketball recruiting, together with Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the most recent information, blogs, and updates in regards to the nation’s finest prospects.

Sports activities Illustrated additionally gives perception, data and as much as the minute particulars for gamblers. Test it out right here.