All-Time Rushing Record within reach for Chris Rodriguez

Chris Rodriguez could run his way to the top of the Kentucky football record book over the final four games of the 2022 season. It would take a Herculean effort, comparable to Benny Snell‘s, to surpass his predecessor.

This summer a Chris Rodriguez record-breaking campaign was inevitable. Only 1,134 yards away from Benny Snell’s spot at the top, he just needed to average 87.2 yards per game to become the school’s new all-time leading rusher. Following a season where he had nine 100-yard rushing game, that’s a walk in the park.

As you are well aware, things got complicated. Off-the-field issues sidelined C-Rod for the first four games of the season. Despite the early setback, the all-time rushing record is within reach for Chris Rodriguez.

Since he kicked off the rust against Ole Miss, Rodriguez has rushed for 100+ yards in three of four games, led by 197-yard effort against Mississippi State. With 22 yards against Vanderbilt, Chris can pass Moe Williams and move into third place on UK’s all-time rushing list.

Now just 563 yards from the top spot, Chris Rodriguez needs to average 140.75 yards through the Wildcats’ final four games to become the Wildcats’ all-time leading rusher. There’s one big problem: Georgia. In 2021 he had 7 carries for 7 yards against the Dawgs, the worst performance of his career. A look at the final rushing defenses UK will face this season.

• Vanderbilt: 185.5 yards per game, 85th in FBS
• Georgia: 28 ypg., 5th in FBS
• Louisville: 133.3 ypg., 48th in FBS

Barring a record-breaking performance or two, Chris Rodriguez needs a bowl game to accomplish the feat. Following Adam Luckett’s projections, if Kentucky heads to Tampa they will either face Penn State or Illinois. More bad news: the latter actually has a better rush defense than Georgia.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the record is within reach. It will take a remarkable effort for Rodriguez to take the title from his former teammate.

Another Significant Kentucky Milestone

DeAndre Square is expected to be available for Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. Mark Stoops is optimistic after the season was sidelined against Missouri. The three-time team captain can join an illustrious club this weekend.

DeAndre Square is one tackle away from joining Kentucky’s 300-Tackle Club. Only four Wildcats have accomplished that feat since 2000 and Mike Edwards is the lone Mark Stoops player to surpass the milestone. With one tackle Square will become just the 20th member of Kentucky’s 300-Tackle Club.

Square is not the only Wildcat sitting on 299 career tackles. Jacquez Jones has been stuck on the number since he injured his leg against Ole Miss. Even though many of those tackles were recorded during his first three years in Oxford, it’s still a remarkable feat. The Kentucky middle linebacker is hopeful to return to the field before the season ends.