Chris Rodriguez explains how he avoided putting too much pressure on himself in return

Chris Rodriguez’s return was key for the Kentucky football team. While they lost his debut at Ole Miss, he provided a new layer to the Wildcat offense that they’d missed in his absence. However, he says he felt no pressure in having to perform in his return to the lineup.

Rodriguez spoke about his return during media after practice on Tuesday. He said there was no pressure because he believed so much in the rest of the running back room to carry the load without him.

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“I know my guys can get it done,” said Rodriguez. “I’ve been heavy ever since I’ve been here on that whole room. (They) can do just about anything I can…We can all do the same thing.”

Rodriguez rushed 19 times against the Rebels for 72 yards and a touchdown. He also caught three passes that went for 40 yards. Kavosiey Smoke had decent performances in Rodriguez’s absence but, as Kentucky’s sixth-best rusher all-time as of now, Rodriguez is the catalyst of the UK run game.

With injury concerns going into their matchup with South Carolina, Rodriguez may be utilized even more this weekend. The Wildcat faithful may be more than okay with that, though, as he has rushed for 116 yards per game and four total touchdowns in his career against the Gamecocks. After a decent opener, Rodriguez could really welcome himself back with a big game in the first home game of conference play for Kentucky.

Chris Rodriguez describes the feeling of being back on the field

Kentucky got one of its major pieces back on offense after a series of off-field setbacks dating back to the offseason for Chris Rodriguez. His first start of the season came Saturday against Ole Miss, and although the Wildcats lost, it served as a starting point for his senior year.

During a recent press conference, Chris Rodriguez broke down the feelings of his return after such a long road which featured many turns.

“It felt great,” said Rodriguez. “It just felt great to get back out there, knock the rust off a little bit. But now I’m ready.”

In his first game back, Rodriguez finished with 72 yards and a touchdown. While he did break out for a monster game, he will get plenty more chances to impress over the next several weeks of SEC play.

“That first hit, I was just like, ‘God bless,’” said Rodriguez. “I forgot what it felt like to get hit. As a running back with my play style, I like it. I couldn’t wait to feel that again and when I felt it, I was like, ‘woah.’ But it is what it is.”