Football holds first major scrimmage

The UK football team held its first major scrimmage of spring practice Saturday morning at Commonwealth Stadium.

While most eyes were fixated on the heated quarterback competition between junior Curtis Pulley and sophomore Mike Hartline, it was junior wide receiver E.J. Adams who stole the show. In just his sixth practice since moving from cornerback, Adams caught four passes for 167 yards and a touchdown.

“Obviously, he has great ability, and that’s why we moved him over there,” head coach Rich Brooks said. “He can’t get lined up half the time yet, he has to learn to practice harder, but ability-wise, he can be a factor for us.”

Hartline and Pulley alternated between the first- and second-team offenses for most of the practice.

Pulley finished the day 3-of-10 for 31 yards, including a touchdown toss and an interception, but added 45 yards on the ground on six runs. The junior guided the Cats to two touchdowns and a field goal.

Hartline, on the other had, put up stellar numbers through the air, throwing for 175 yards on 12-of-19 passing. The Canton, Ohio, native directed one touchdown and two field goal opportunities.

Sophomore Will Fidler, who Brooks has said is also in the quarterback competition, led the first-team offense on one series.

“I thought all three of them did some good things, and they did some things they need to get better at,” Brooks said. “That’s why we’re practicing. I was relatively pleased.”

With two weeks until UK’s annual Blue/White Spring Game, Brooks was satisfied with where his team stands.

“This is the most players we’ve ever had in a spring,” Brooks said. “This is clearly the most depth and talent we’ve had, and it shows, I think. You have guys making plays in every facet, on offense and defense, in the front group and the backup groups. I am pleased we have improved our depth and competitiveness as we move forward.”

Blackwelder makes the cut at LPGA major

Junior golfer Mallory Blackwelder turned heads this week at the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif., by making the weekend cut and finishing in a tie for 68th. She shot a 302, 14-over-par, in her first career tournament against the professionals.

Blackwelder was one of seven amateurs to receive an invitation three months ago to compete in the tour’s first major tournament of the year. Only Blackwelder and two other amateurs scored low enough to play in the final two days of the tournament.

Competing in a field of more than 100 professionals, including 2007 Rolex Player of the Year Lorena Ochoa, multi-major winner Annika Sorenstam and last year’s Kraft Nabisco Championship winner Morgan Pressel, Blackwelder surprised many by posting an opening day score of 71. The 1-under-par score was just four shots off the lead.

Blackwelder followed with a pair of 76s on Friday and Saturday before shooting a final round of 79 yesterday.