LEXINGTON, Ky., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Jared Lorenzen and Artose Pinter each accounted for three touchdowns Saturday as Kentucky defeated Middle Tennessee, 44-22, to improve to 4-0 for the first time in 18 years.
Lorenzen completed 22 of 31 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns while Pinter rushed 24 times for 163 yards and three scores.
However, some of the luster was taken off the Wildcats' fast start earlier in this week when the school's appeal of its bowl ban for this season was turned down by the NCAA.
Middle Tennessee (0-3) concluded a stretch of playing three straight Southeastern Conference opponents to open the season. The Blue Raiders also have lost to Alabama and Tennessee.
Kentucky, which amassed 510 total yards, took control early, jumping to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.
Middle Tennessee climbed within 24-22 on Dwone Hicks' 16-yard run with 12:16 left in the third quarter. But Lorenzen, who completed 22 of 31 passes, threw touchdown strikes of 13 yards to Pinter and 72 yards to Aaron Boone in the period to put the contest out of reach.
Pinter completed the scoring with a 54-yard run midway through the fourth period.
Andrico Hines completed 10 of 19 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown for the Blue Raiders and also rushed for 97 yards and two scores on 16 carries.
