2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Linebacker Jamer Bates (left), quarterback Eric Kresser (middle) and wide receiver Chris Doering (right) were members of the 1995 Florida football team.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Break off a branch: Gators score 52 between the hedges

By Joseph Henry | Oct. 25, 2022

The circumstances of this game were special. The annual neutral site meeting between the Southeastern Conference rivals had to shift away from its normal setting in Jacksonville for two seasons. The Gators handily one won both matchups, but the players involved knew the weight of getting the unique opportunity to go play “between the hedges.”

Quarterback Kyle Trask (left) was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2020. He finished with the most passing touchdowns in the country that season (43) while racking up the second most passing yards (4,283). Tight end Kyle Pitts (right) was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2020. He finished the year with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite only playing in eight games.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

2021 Georgia defense versus 2020 Florida offense: Who wins?

By Michael Hull | Oct. 25, 2022

The 2021 Georgia defense was one of the best squads of all time. The 2020 Florida offense could’ve been in the history books if a few things go differently on the other side of the ball. If these two units went at each other head-to-head, who would come out on top?

TIAA Bank Field, the home stadium of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, also serves as host for the annual Florida-Georgia game. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

The case for Jacksonville: How Florida-Georgia extends outside the stadium

By Jackson Castellano | Oct. 25, 2022

Although Florida-Georgia is set to remain in Jacksonville for the near future, controversy has emerged surrounding the location of the historic rivalry game. If relocated, the city of Jacksonville could face irreparable damages.

Mike White departed from Florida in March to become the head coach at Georgia. White ended his time in Gainesville with a 142-88 record over seven seasons.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Mike White looks for a fresh opportunity at Florida’s rival school

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 25, 2022

White left the Gators to fill the void of former Georgia head coach Tom Crean. UF hired White in 2015 as the successor to Billy Donovan, who coached in Gainesville for 19 seasons and led the Gators to back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. White never lived up to the expectations set by his predecessor. As the years went on, he faced pressure from fans and it all culminated in his final season.

Rachel Baumann (left) and Victoria Nguyen (right) transferred to Florida after previously competing with the Georgia Bulldogs. Photos by Kathryn Skeean — The Red and Black.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics adds two Georgia talents in offseason

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 25, 2022

Gators gymnastics brought in graduate student Rachel Baumann and junior Victoria Nguyen from rivals Georgia this summer. The moves add to the elite arsenal of weapons for the Florida team, which was just 0.1125 points away from a national title last season.

Lukas Greif, who is now a senior, swings at a tennis ball on the fourth day of the 2019 ITA Tournament in Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Greif, Braswell lead Gators at ITA Southeast Regionals

By Kyle Bumpers | Oct. 24, 2022

Senior Lukas Greif won five straight games to take home a victory in the consolation bracket final, and freshman Jonah Braswell made it to the semifinals of the main draw. The two also competed alongside each other in the doubles draw and outlasted the Gators’ other pairs.

Florida Gators women's golf on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, FL / UAA Communications photo by Alex de la Osa.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida women’s golf finishes fall season T13 at Stanford Intercollegiate

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Oct. 24, 2022

The Florida women's golf team competed in its final tournament of the fall season this past weekend. The Gators won't see action until February of next year.

Running back Montrell Johnson Jr. is lifted up in celebration by offensive lineman Austin Barber after a Florida touchdown against LSU Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Struggling Gators face upcoming test against Bulldogs

By Topher Adams | Oct. 24, 2022

No. 1 Georgia is the current measuring stick for Florida football. Year one under Billy Napier has been up-and-down, but the program is building to eventually compete with the top-ranked Bulldogs.

Rob Ellis Peck plays with his band during the Tom Petty Festival at Heartwood Soundstage Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Gainesville celebrates rock ‘n’ roll legend Tom Petty despite last year’s controversy

By Isabella Marzban | Oct. 24, 2022

Between Oct. 20 to Oct. 22, more than 3,000 Petty fans gathered to celebrate the life and music of the rock ‘n’ roll legend, who died in October 2017. Tickets ranged from free general admission passes to VIP gold and silver packages, which cost up to $125.

UF athletic director Scott Stricklin observes the Florida football team during its game against Eastern Washington Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Stricklin to serve as bridge for athletics between Fuchs’ presidency, his successor

By Kyle Bumpers | Oct. 24, 2022

UF President Kent Fuchs was faced with the tough task of replacing one of the most decorated athletic directors in SEC history within his first two years at UF. Sen. Ben Sasse is currently in line to take over for Fuchs as he’s the sole candidate to be named president of the university. Sasse, or whoever becomes the next president, likely won’t have this same hurdle as Stricklin is set to be in charge for the foreseeable future. Stricklin’s set to work with the next university president as he’s under contract until 2027.

Thousands of students, parents, children and Gainesville residents gathered in Bo Diddley Plaza Oct. 22 for Gainesville Pride Festival’s grand return. The festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but attendees came back in full force — adorned in all colors of the rainbow and representing all sectors of the LGBTQ community.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville Pride Festival returns for the first time since 2019

By Heather Bushman and Veronica Nocera | Oct. 24, 2022

Thousands of students, parents, children and Gainesville residents gathered in Bo Diddley Plaza Oct. 22 for Gainesville Pride Festival’s grand return. The festival was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but attendees came back in full force — adorned in all colors of the rainbow and representing all sectors of the LGBTQ community.

BEN SASSE

Fuchs: Protesters who enter Emerson for Sasse’s Nov. interview may be disciplined

By Christian Casale | Oct. 24, 2022

Fuchs wrote the university would enforce a two-decade-old regulation prohibiting protests inside campus buildings.

BEN SASSE

Will Ben Sasse fit into UF’s history department?

By Malori Malone | Oct. 24, 2022

Because Sasse dedicated his academic career to studying American history, UF history department faculty and students are curious to see how the senator will fit into their college.

BEN SASSE

From Senate to the Swamp: A look at Sen. Ben Sasse’s Congressional history

By Heather Bushman | Oct. 24, 2022

Sasse has backed laws that have limited abortion access and tightened immigration policy, among other initiatives.

BEN SASSE

Ben Sasse piques conservative students’ interests, disappoints some

By Jiselle Lee | Oct. 24, 2022

Although Sasse has piqued conservative students' interest with his political beliefs, he’s not the conservative representation they expected.

BEN SASSE

‘I wouldn’t ring doom bells’: Graduate students report mixed reactions on Sasse

By Siena Duncan | Oct. 24, 2022

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, has been under the scrutiny of UF’s student body since he was announced as the sole finalist for UF’s next president Oct. 6. Sasse’s past voting record and expressed lack of knowledge on UF graduate students’ issues has raised concerns for some students across campus. Others feel confident about his potential ascension to the presidency.

BEN SASSE

Sasse’s China rhetoric prompts concern of anti-Asian hate from UF Chinese students

By Omar Ateyah | Oct. 24, 2022

As Ben Sasse stands as the only finalist in the running to be UF’s next president, his comments about China are concerning for many Chinese community members on campus. Sasse has characterized himself as a staunch opponent of the Chinese government, but he’s also been criticized for hostile comments on China’s role in the pandemic.

A cyclist passes by the new Santa Fe College Blount Hall building in downtown Gainesville on Friday, Jan. 28. It's located on the northeast corner of Southwest Sixth Street and West University Avenue.

BEN SASSE

Santa Fe College students, faculty weigh Ben Sasse’s impact on transfer decisions

By Claire Grunewald | Oct. 24, 2022

Strong ties between the two educational institutions have left SFC staff and students to debate whether the announcement of the UF presidential candidate has any effect on their nearby campus.

UF athletic director Scott Stricklin talks with president Kent Fuchs during Florida's search committee meeting on Sept. 27, 2016, at the Kelly Smith Conference Room.

BEN SASSE

Stricklin to serve as bridge for athletics between Fuchs’ presidency, his successor

By Kyle Bumpers | Oct. 24, 2022

Sen. Ben Sasse is currently in line to take over for Fuchs as he’s the sole candidate to be named president of the university. Sasse, or whoever becomes the next president, likely won’t have this same hurdle as Stricklin is set to be in charge for the foreseeable future.

BEN SASSE

Sasse’s political history alarms UF climate activists, scientists

By Fernando Figueroa | Oct. 24, 2022

A look into Sasse’s campaign contributions reveals thousands of dollars from the fossil fuel industry. However, Sasse has more recently affirmed his belief in climate change. And yet, he remains skeptical about the federal government's role in mitigating climate change.