This Chris Rodriguez Stat is Mind-Boggling

Chris Rodriguez is one of the best to ever wear a Kentucky uniform. Against South Carolina the Kentucky running back carried the ball 22 times for 126 yards to surpass Mark Higgs and move up to No. 5 on UK’s all-time rushing list. He did it all without doing much at all in the second half.

This stat is alarming. If you don’t want to get mad on a Tuesday afternoon, please, do yourself a favor and stop reading now. This stat, uncovered by our Cats Illustrated pal Jeff Drummond, will surely get every Kentucky football fan fired up enough to light a torch and grab a pitchfork. “Mind-boggling” is the gentlest way I can describe this Chris Rodriguez stat.

Kentucky is 0-2 since Chris Rodriguez made his 2022 season debut. In each of UK’s two losses Rodriguez has only six fourth quarter touches for 42 yards. Two of those touches were receptions against Ole Miss. He’s averaging 7 yards per touch during money time, yet has only only been handed the rock six times in 30 minutes of football.

Wy Chris Rodriguez isn’t getting Fourth Quarter Touches

There are two rational reasons to explain this irrational behavior by the Kentucky coaching stuff. First and foremost, Rodriguez admitted after the Ole Miss game that he was feeling fatigue in the fourth quarter of his debut. No matter how many sprints he ran, nothing could get him into game shape until he played in a game. Secondly, it’s hard to run the ball when you’re playing from behind. That has been the case in each of the last two losses.

Rodriguez had just shy of 20 carries and 97 yards in the first half against the Gamecocks. South Carolina opened the third quarter with a 6-play 75-yard scoring drive to take a 14-7 lead. Instead of going back to C-Rod, here’s how the Wildcats responded on offense:

• Kaiya Sheron sack
• Sheron to Tayvion Robinson for 27 yards
• Sheron sack
• 2nd and 24 rush to Rodriguez
• Sheron scramble
• Punt

South Carolina then went on a 7-minute drive that ultimately iced the game.

“They had the ball, we didn’t. I think we had nine plays without a penalty (in the third quarter). He ran it four times, then the game’s out of touch after that,” Mark Stoops said Monday. “We utilized him how we needed to in the first half, I wish the fumble didn’t happen, there’s some things I wish you could do over, but we were using him and getting that five yards and six yards. I think it’s plays and team, that’s going to put you in that position.”

Football can become over-complicated. The best solution is often the easiest. Give the ball to your best player and let him go to work.