Chris Rodriguez knows Kentucky will not forget to take the train to get to the airplane

Chris Rodriguez (UK Athletics Photo)

The arrival of new offensive coordinator Liam Coen along with quarterback Will Levis and receiver Wan’Dale Robinson have Kentucky fans excited about a far more potent UK passing attack this season. It has also made running back Chris Rodriguez a forgotten man which makes no sense since he ran for 785 yards and 11 touchdowns on only 119 carries last season in nine games. He averaged a SEC best 6.6 yards per carry and now has 1,365 career rushing yards, including six 100-yard games.

Rodriguez joked Tuesday that he had talked with Levis about not forgetting the running games. He also told media members when he was in Atlanta (to catch a plane) that “you gotta take the train to get to the airplane.”

So he’s not worried about getting his touches this year in a more open, balanced offense?

“That is the plan (to get the ball to him) but we have a lot of mouths to feed on the team,” he said.

Rodriguez, Pro Football Focus’ pick as the nation’s second-best running back, has never had 20 carries in a game and averaged just 13 touches per game last season. Coen has says he wants to get Rodriguez 20 touches per game this season.

“I don’t care how many times you throw it. You’ve got to be physical when you need to be and still run the football when you need to be and I’m a crazy man if I don’t hand the ball to these backs,” Coen said.

Rodriguez keeps his goals listed on a “little sheet right above my sink” so he can look at them every morning when he brushes his teeth.

“I want to break records. I want to score touchdowns, I want to be able to pick up pass protections, I don’t want anything to get by. I want to be the best (running) back in the SEC and that’s what I’m working toward right now,” the running back said.

“I averaged six (yards per carry) last year. Let’s average 10 this year. I know it’s a big goal, but don’t we all chase perfection without being able to reach it?”

Levis says he has been around great running backs and Rodriguez is as good as any of them. He says Rodriguez and backup Kavosiey Smoke give UK a “great one-two punch” to show teams UK can run and throw the ball equally well.

Coen wants to take advantage of a strong offensive line and talented running backs while also showcasing the passing game.

“Chris has just done such a good job, especially last week. Chris has really ramped up his laser focus and his approach to practice, his finishing of runs, I’ve gotta believe Chris Rodriguez is going to be ready to go,” Coen said.