Chris Rodriguez can't overthink fumble near goal line

Only one Wildcat has recorded more 100-yard rushing games in a season than Chris Rodriguez in 2021, but that incredible production has been overshadowed by one too many fumbles. Early season ball security problems reappeared near the goal line in the Kroger Field season finale, drawing concern from across the BBN.

Rodriguez rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown on only 16 carries. His only blemish occurred after Wan’Dale Robinson’s 79-yard reception. Instead of punching it in, the ball fell to the turf, his third turnover inside the five-yard line this fall.

“Obviously it’s unacceptable because he’s a better player than that. You see that when he’s locked in,” said Mark Stoops.

Even though it’s unacceptable, Kentucky’s head coach is not going to beat his running back over the head with the mistake. It may have been a trend early in the season, but that should no longer be the case.

“He’s dialed in. He’s working hard. It happened. He can’t — I don’t want to overthink this one. There was definitely an issue early. It’s not acceptable. It’s not okay. I feel like the interceptions are going to happen, but there’s no excuses for fumbles, and I can’t give them an excuse for this one. But I know he’ll get it corrected and he’ll be dialed in and he’ll have a great week of practice. I know him. That’s the competitor in him. But there’s really no excuse. I can’t give him one. There’s no reason to fumble the ball at the two-yard line.”

Kentucky preaches ball security each and every week. At this point, should Liam Coen belabor the fumble problem any further?

“No. At this point, it’s just, yeah, it just kind of is what it is at this point. It’s difficult to put into words,” said the UK offensive coordinator.

“You feel for him because you know it hurts him. I know it hurts. I know it’s not for lack of caring or lack of being in the game, because he was running hard. It wasn’t like he was not in the game and being aloof; you weren’t ready to play type of thing. We get stalemated at the point of attack and he gets hit from behind and it just comes out again. At this point there’s really not too much to say.”

All you really can say is an expletive, then move on to the next powerful run and hope he can keep two hands on the football.