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Lane Kiffin evaluates what Chris Rodriguez's return to Kentucky could mean

Screenshot 2023-07-18 at 4.54.37 PMby:Riley Gates•09/28/22•

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OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 24: head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels during the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Ole Miss will have even more of a challenge this weekend against Kentucky with running back Chris Rodriguez returning to the field for Kentucky. Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin knows Rodriguez will be a handful for his team and knows it will have to be improved against the run this weekend.

“Yeah, I’m sure, you know, obviously that’s huge for them,” Kiffin said. “Get a guy that’s fresh at that position, has carried the ball a lot, be able to — fifth game of the year, hasn’t taken hits. So, you know, very challenging and, you know, we’re gonna have to play the run a lot better than we did last week.”

Rodriguez has not yet played this season, following his offseason DUI arrest. But that has not held back the Wildcats to start the season, as they are off to a 4-0 record this season and have gotten production from other running backs.

Kavosiey Smoke has been the key rusher for Kentucky through its first four games. In four games, Smoke has 263 yards and one touchdown on the ground. After a slow start with just 32 yards in the season opener, Smoke has 60 or more yards in each of the last three games.

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Kentucky is ‘excited’ to get Chris Rodriguez back on field

While Kentucky has gotten decent production from Smoke, the return of Chris Rodriguez will no doubt be a huge boost against Ole Miss. Without Rodriguez, through four games, Kentucky ranks last in the SEC in yards per carry and second-to-last in rushing yards per game with 81.5. A year ago, Rodriguez averaged 6.1 yards per carry and surpassed 100 yards on the ground in nine of 13 games.

“We’re excited,” Kentucky quarterback Will Levis told Paul Finebaum in anticipation of his No. 1 running back’s return. “We know that whether he was with us or not, we’re able to get things done like we have been but he’s just such a great weapon to include in the offense. “I know he’s been itching to get out there. He’s been practicing his butt off and preparing mentally as hard as anyone. He was staying in shape and making sure he was ready for his return. Even today, in our little Monday practice we just had, he’s out there on a mission. You could easily tell that from watching on the sideline.”

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The Rebels and Wildcats are slated for a 12 p.m. ET kick on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report