The Kentucky Wildcats will have Chris Rodriguez Jr. back in the lineup as they visit Ole Miss on Saturday.

Rodriguez hasn’t played yet this season while serving a suspension for an “off-the-field” issue outside of a DUI charge he picked up in July. While the Wildcats are off to a perfect start this season, he’ll provide a big boost to his team’s offense.

Cornerback Keidron Smith, who transferred in to Kentucky from Ole Miss in April, had a painful first meeting with Rodriguez on the practice field during preseason.

“First time I tackled him he bust my lip. I’m glad somebody else is going to tackle him,” Smith joked on Wednesday.

Rodriguez rushed for 1,378 yards and 10 touchdowns on 225 carries in 2021, while recording 3 touchdown catches through the air. His 26 rushing touchdowns with the Wildcats puts him in a 3-way tie for 2nd in program history, while he is 6th all-time in rushing yards with 2,740.

Kickoff between the Wildcats and Rebels from Oxford on Saturday is set for noon ET on ESPN.