Sept. 23, 2002
From Darkhorse to Workhorse
Artose Pinner used to be the darkhorse of the Kentucky backfield. Now, he’sthe workhorse.
Pinner has established himself in that role during the first three games ofthe 2002 season, rushing for 87 yards against Louisville, followed by 116against Texas-El Paso and a career-best 141 yards against Indiana.
He’s come a long way since Feb. 6, 2001. That’s the day Guy Morriss was hiredas the head coach of the Wildcats. It’s also the day that Pinner marchedinto Morriss’ office to tell the new coach that he was going to transfer.
“After I got the job, five minutes into it, he came into my office to quit,”Morriss said. “He was not happy and felt like his talents weren’t beingused. I tried to explain to him that we were going to run the football moreand balance our offense and he was going to be the man.
“I got down on my knees and begged him to stay,” Morriss joked. “He took pityon me and decided to stick around.”
“We were running it about 10 times a game then (before Morriss was named headcoach). When Coach Morriss said we were going to run the ball more, Ithought he meant about 14 times a game,” Pinner recalled with a laugh. “ButCoach Morriss is straightforward – he said we were going to run the ballmore and he kept his word.”
Pinner has made the most of the opportunity. Before the season, Coach Morrissstated that he wanted Pinner to have the ball in his hands 20-25 times eachgame. It takes a workhorse to handle that responsibility, and that statementraised a lot of eyebrows around a program that hasn’t had a back like thatsince Moe Williams in 1995.
“I knew in my mind that we were going to feature Artose and give him the ballthat many times because he’s a talented young man who can carry that kind ofload,” Morriss said. “He’s durable, he’s not a fumbler, he’s got speed -he’s really a complete back.”
Once again, Morriss has been true to his word. Actually, he’s exceeded it. Inaddition to Pinner’s 69 rushing attempts, he’s leading the team in passreceiving with 13 catches. He’s handled the ball a total of 82 times, anaverage of 27.3 touches per game.
“Coach Morriss and this staff are men of their word,” Pinner said. “Theplayers appreciate that. It makes you want to play for this staff becausethey believed in us and we believe in them.”
One unforeseen result of Pinner’s play is his current perch on top of the SECrushing standings with 114.7 rushing yards per game. Pinner was shocked whenhe heard that a Kentucky player is the SEC rushing leader.
“I sure didn’t expect that,” he said. “Maybe (a Wildcat) leading inreceptions, but sure not rushing.”
Numerical Oddity:
Kentucky’s first three opponents this season, Louisville,Texas-El Paso, and Indiana, each scored 17 points against the Wildcats. It’sthe first time in school history that UK has allowed the same number ofpoints three games in a row.
More important is the fact that the total of 51 points is the fewest pointsallowed in the first three games since 1993.
Hurry Up:
An unofficial, and therefore often overlooked, football statisticis the “quarterback hurry.” When evaluating the game films, defensivecoaches award a “hurry” to a player whose pass rush forces the quarterbackto make a quick throw or disrupts the passing motion of the quarterback.
Last season, UK coaches credited the team with a total of 60 hurries. Throughjust three games this season, the Wildcats already have been credited withalmost half that number (28).
As you might guess from his strong early performance, Jeremy Caudill leadsthe team in hurries with six. The most important hurry of the season,however, belongs to linebacker Morris Lane.
It was Lane’s hurry of Indiana quarterback Gibran Hamdan that led to theinterception by Quentus Cumby that was returned for the game-clinchingtouchdown. Cumby’s pick, by the way, was the first of his career. It alsocovered 82 yards, the ninth-longest interception return in school history.
Harp Playing Touchdown Tune:
Tight end Chase Harp hasn’t caught a lot ofpasses this season, but he’s catching them at the right time. Harp has tworeceptions, both for touchdowns.
Quote of the Week:
Kentucky running backs coach Gerald Carr, to Karen Goodner(wife of UK defensive coordinator John Goodner, whose defensive unit shutout Indiana in the fourth quarter and then scored the game-clinchingtouchdown): “You weren’t the first person to kiss your husband after thegame.”
