The 1916 team, coached by John J. Tigert, did very well, defeating Centre 68–0 and finishing the season with an upset – a scoreless tie with SIAA champion Tennessee.

An account of the latter reads "Rodes and McIlvain, Kentucky's quarterback and fullback, played a magnificent game and had they received the proper support from their team, would have piled up a large score against Tennessee.

Vanderbilt coach Dan McGugin stated "If you would give me Doc Rodes, I would say he was a greater player than Curry.

"[3] At the time of his death, Rodes was vice president and treasurer of the Union Transfer and Storage Company and prominently associated with the trucking industry in Kentucky.

[3] Rodes sat in the gallery of the House of Representatives in Frankfort, during a heated discussion about increasing the weight and length limits on trucks.