WATCH: Coen, Rodriguez, Cummings provide updates from Citrus Bowl prep

We are less than two weeks away from Kentucky’s Citrus Bowl showdown with Iowa. The Wildcats have a couple more practices in Lexington before taking a holiday break and converging upon Orlando. Unfortunately, Liam Coen had to share some bad news Monday afternoon about Josh Ali and Isaiah Epps. Missing the pass-catchers will not make life any easier against the stout Iowa defense.

“They don’t give you anything easy,” said Coen. “They’re extremely physical upfront. And the biggest thing I think about this defense is their strain and effort is through the roof. It’s a testament to their program, to their defense and to their whole program under coach (Kirk) Ferentz.”

The Hawkeyes allow 19.2 points per game, ranking 14th nationally. They also rank in the top 20 nationally on total defense (327 yards allowed per game) and yards per play allowed (4.72). Nobody has a better turnover margin (+14) in Power Five football.

Rodriguez Proud of Kentucky

Chris Rodriguez‘s mind is not on his future. He’s not looking past Iowa or his projected graduation date this spring. The Kentucky running back is focused on the present. This weekend that meant helping those who lost everything in the disastrous Western Kentucky storms. He signed autographs with three other Cats to raise more than $20,000 for the KSR Tornado Relief Fund.

“Doing that, seeing all of the people that came out to support, you know that Kentucky is one. It’s not like you’re in Louisville or you’re in Western Kentucky; if you’re in Kentucky, everybody cares about everything,” said Rodriguez. “It was a good experience. It was fun. We were signing for a long time, but we made a lot of money.”

Izayah Cummings is Staying Light

Coen revealed that former four-star wide receiver Chris Lewis gained 20 pounds throughout his true freshman season. The wiry pass-catcher from Alabama needed the additional weight to withstand the physicality of the SEC. The same does not apply for the wide receiver that converted to tight end.

“I definitely plan on gaining just five more pounds on me, not too much because I want to keep that speed that makes me a mismatch out there,” Cummings said. “I want to make sure I get stronger, but not lose the speed I have out there.”