'He's an NFL style running back': Gamecock defense preparing for return of Chris Rodriguez
Kentucky the first four weeks of the season and Kentucky Saturday against Ole Miss are two different things, and something South Carolina will certainly have to prepare for.
Week four, the line of demarcation, is the return of star running back Chris Rodriguez following a four-game suspension. The veteran, future NFL back, certainly made his presence felt in a 22-19 loss.
The Wildcats proceeded to run for a season-high 108 rushing yards, 72 of those coming from Rodriguez’s 19 carries.
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In one game he was able to average 3.8 yards per carry, as a team Kentucky was only averaging 2.3 yards per carry going into that game.
“Obviously getting Rodriguez back they were able to run the football efficiently with him,” Shane Beamer said. “I mean, he’s a proven back.”
Last year Rodiguez was one of the top running backs in the SEC. He was second in total yards with 1,379, only behind Missouri’s Tyler Badie. He finished fifth in the conference for average yards per carry at 6.1.
“He’s a tough guy to bring down one on one, you have to do a great job of getting more than one hat to the ball,” defensive coordinator Clayton White said. “He’s an NFL style running back in an NFL style system and they do a great job of using his skill sets and talents.”
Senior Kaviosey Smoke took over the starting duties for Rodriguez during his absence. In five games he totaled 269 yards and one touchdown while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
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Smoke averaged just below 13 carries a game but against Ole Miss, he touted the rock twice.
It shouldn’t be a stretch to assume that Rodriguez will get the most carries again against the Gamecocks, considering he did so last week and has seen lots of success against South Carolina in the past.
“They’re a good team, we’re a good team. We’re gonna give effort, they will give effort,” Tonka Hemingway said. “He is a good back, strong lower body, he keeps his feet moving, very good back.”
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Last year Rodriguez helped Kentucky to a 16-10 win over South Carolina. He ran for 144 yards, his third most that season, and averaged 5.5 yards per game.
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In 2020 he helped the Wildcats pummel the Gamecocks 41-18 when he ran for three touchdowns. Rodriguez ran for 139 yards on 14 attempts, averaging 9.9 yards per carry.
Throughout his entire career, he’s rushed for 348 yards against South Carolina in three games, scoring four touchdowns and averaging 7.56 yards per carry.
Along with being a weapon in the backfield, White said that Rodriguez is also capable of slipping out and being a threat in the passing game.
“Our guys have to know that he is a good pass protector,” White said. “He steps up in the pocket, he will slip out for screens, so we got to be very smart on how we play. We just can’t be overzealous and run right past him.”
As for how you game plan against a player like Rodriguez, White made it seem simple.
“You have to just make sure that your players are very aware of each guy’s skill sets,” White said. “Game planning wise you have to understand who you’re going against and their strengths and their weaknesses and go from there.”
