Artose Pinner has emerged as a premier runner in Kentucky’s offense with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games in recent weeks. It’s a far cry from last year when Pinner erupted for 125 yards against Florida only to be banished to the hinterlands because of two fumbles.

“When you have a big game against Florida, the No. 3-ranked team in nation, then you know you can play,” Pinner said. “But the coaches blamed me for the fumble. Our quarterback had more interceptions than touchdowns in that game, but you didn’t see the coach point him out for the interceptions.”

Pinner was allowed only 22 carries for 63 yards over the last eight games, all losses as the Cats went from 2-1 to 2-9.

“I always wondered if I’d ever get another opportunity to make plays for this team,” Pinner said recently. “But the one thing is that I never doubted my own abilities.”

For good reason. Pinner rushed for more than 5,800 yards at Hopkinsville High School and averaged more than eight yards per carry. That talent won him a scholarship to Kentucky, but it wasn’t until this year under new coach Guy Morriss that Pinner has been allowed to shine.

“The new staff wanted me to know that I had a clear slate, and that whatever happened in the past was in the past,” Pinner said. “They said it’s a new season and they were expecting big things out of me. They let me know they wanted me to make plays for this team. I’m just trying to do that.”

When lead back Chad Scott went down with an ankle sprain, Pinner become the focus of UK’s revamped running game. The breakout game was when Pinner had 130 yards rushing on 17 carries with two touchdowns, including a 66-yard scoring run. He followed that with 105 yards rushing, including a 57-yard run, against South Carolina.

“Ole Miss really set the tempo for my season,” Pinner said. “The guys are now looking for me to make plays, and I want to do something good for the team.”

And that good means showcasing a talent far beyond the notion that Pinner is only a power runner.

“As soon as I got here I was labeled as a power runner,” Pinner said. “Everybody said, ‘Artose Pinner is only for third-and-one or fourth-and-one situations.’ I was never given the chance to showcase my speed.”

Pinner even began to buy into the stereotype.

“Actually, I did to some degree. But I don’t know why,” he said. “In high school, I never was a power runner. I probably never ran over more than three people in my high school career. I always tried to beat people with a move or with speed.

“I had never doubted my speed until I got here and things happened,” Pinner said. “So I began to accept that role as power runner.”

Until now.

“I think I’ve surprised a lot of people by showing my speed and power,” he said.

Most notable is that he has showcased his unique running style with his legs always churning and knees high. “All elbows and thigh pads when he’s coming at you,” is how Morriss describes it.

“A lot of people forget that I was a 400-meter runner in high school,” said Pinner, humbly omitting that he was third in the state as a junior.

“It was when I was about a junior in high school that I realized I wasn’t running in football the same way that I ran when I was in track,” Pinner said. “So I wanted to integrate track and football and focus on how to open up my stride. That helps a lot with my speed and, by keeping my knees high, I think it helps me get the extra yards when two or three guys are hanging on me.”

Against LSU on Saturday night, more than 18 family and friends are expected to watch Pinner.

“They’re very proud of me,” Pinner said. “They’re saying, ‘It’s about time,’ and ‘They’re finally letting the ‘Tose loose.’ So I know when I’m on that field, I’m not only representing my family and friends but I’m representing Hopkinsville. There’s not a lot of people on this team from western Kentucky, so I feel like I’m representing everybody.”

And representing more than just someone who can run with a football.

“Look at me,” Pinner said. “It took me two years to get to this point. I wasn’t playing at all last year, and the year before I played very little. But if you believe and continue work hard, I’m living proof that anything is possible.”