Mark Stoops reveals the reason behind lack of second-half usage for Chris Rodriguez

After entering halftime trailing Tennessee 27-6, Kentucky did not use running back Chris Rodriguez much at all in the second half. Wildcats coach Mark Stoops revealed why postgame, saying that Rodriguez was dealing with an injury.

“Stoops said Chris Rodriguez was injured, which was why the star RB didn’t play much in the final two quarters,” Ryan Black of the Louisville Courier-Journal tweeted.

Rodriguez totaled just two carries in the second half, finishing the game with 64 yards rushing and a touchdown on 15 totes. His absence certainly did not do the Kentucky offense any favors, as they were held scoreless over in the second half on their way to a 44-6 loss.

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Rodriguez missed the first four games of the season after serving a suspension to start the year, but has 459 yards and four touchdowns in the four games since. Kentucky will hope to hear good news on his status heading into Week 10 against Missouri.

Chris Rodriguez wasn’t the only Wildcats player to suffer an injury Saturday, however.

Early in the game, Inside linebacker DeAndre Square was shown heading back to the Wildcats’ locker room during ESPN’s broadcast. Holly Rowe provided the reason as to why Square is out of the game, saying it’s a right ankle injury for the longtime team captain.

“DeAndre Square, the three-time team captain for Kentucky, has gone to the locker room with a right ankle injury, Rowe said. “Not sure yet if he will return or not. In his place, though, a talented sophomore, Trevin Wallace, No. 32. They said he has all the tools to be great and he’ll play a lot. So, a good replacement for Square right now.”

Square eventually returned to the sideline but was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.