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Chris Rodriguez to miss Kentucky’s SEC opener, per report
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Chris Rodriguez will reportedly be unavailable for Kentucky’s SEC opener at Florida in Week 2.
On Friday, UK insider Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio tweeted that he is hearing from program sources that Kentucky’s standout running back will be suspended for the team’s first 3 or 4 games. Jones indicated that Rodriguez is set to miss the game against the Gators on Sept. 10.
Hearing from a couple of sources that Chris Rodriguez will be out suspended either 3 or 4 games to start the season.
Final total will be determined next week. He will miss the Florida game
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) August 19, 2022
Justin Rowland of Rivals chimed in, sharing that he has also heard a 4-game suspension is possible.
Similar to what I was told this afternoon. Four is possible but not decided 100% yet https://t.co/Xp077zuQHZ
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) August 19, 2022
Jones details that the punishment comes from the university, not Wildcats coach Mark Stoops’ staff.
The Chris Rodriguez punishment comes from the University, not the Football staff. It encompasses the DUI and another situation
It stinks losing him for the Florida game but two months ago I was worried University would make a longer one, so overall good news
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) August 19, 2022
In May, Rodriguez was arrested for DUI. He pled guilty to the charge in July. At SEC Media Days, Stoops said the program was still monitoring the situation.
Last season, Rodriguez rushed for 1,379 yards, fifth on UK’s single-season list, and 9 touchdowns. Rodriguez has 2,740 career rushing yards, sixth-best all-time at Kentucky. Rodriguez rushed for 100 yards 9 times in 2021, a new single-season school record.
The Florida game, in Gainesville (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), is Kentucky’s only conference contest in the first 4 weeks. The Wildcats also face Miami (Ohio) (Week 1), Youngstown State (Week 3) and Northern Illinois (Week 4). UK resumes SEC play in Week 5 at Ole Miss on Oct. 1.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
