Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez missed the first four games of the season, but that didn’t show through when he made his return in the 22-19 loss to Ole Miss.

Rodriguez finished that game with 72 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 19 carries, far and away the team’s leading rusher. That’s not surprising considering he was projected to be perhaps the best running back in the nation ahead of the season.

Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops made clear he was pleased with the way Rodriguez performed during his Monday press conference, though there was some rust to knock off as would be expected after a player has missed significant time.

“It was good,” he said. “I think late in the game, he was a little, I guess, winded… but just getting a feel for it was good and I thought he responded well.”

Expect Rodriguez to continue building upon his success as the Wildcats take on the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday.