Chris Rodriguez (SEC Photo)
For fans clamoring for Chris Rodriguez to get more rushing attempts for Kentucky, offensive coordinator Eddie Gran is listening.
“Those people are right to ask that question,” Gran said.
However, Gran did add this fact.
“He’s had more reps than any running back the last two games. When you only run 10 plays in a game, there wasn’t a lot (of carries). We were awful (at Missouri) and he didn’t get to chug that thing very much,” Gran said.
Awful is a kind word for the UK offense at Missouri that ran only 36 plays and had just eight first downs in the 20-10 loss. The offense has to find a way to do better against No. 5 Georgia, perhaps the best defensive team in the SEC, in Saturday’s game
“We didn’t do much of anything right (at Missouri). Hopefully, as we continue, you’ll see 24 (Rodriguez) in there getting more carries. I really like the way he’s running the ball right now,” Gran said.
So do UK fans. They just want him to run more, something that will likely happen Saturday if UK can gain yardage. It had just 145 total yards against Missouri and now faces a defense that has allowed only eight running plays of 10 or more yards all season — and Georgia played Alabama in one of those games.
“Kirby [Smart] and his staff, they’re sharp. They’ve been doing it a long time and they’ve had one of the best defenses in the country. I’m not so sure this is not the best defense in the country,” Gran said.
“When we were successful, we were straining. You have to stay on these big guys, backs have to be patient, have to be unbelievable on the perimeter. You got to play darn near perfect. You just do. You got to strain and you got to finish, so it’s going to be a great challenge. And I love it. It’s a great opportunity. That’s why I coach football.”
