2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS

Mini crossword for Oct. 24, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Oct. 24

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(Photo by Nasser Al-Rabeah, courtesy of Ricardo A. Quiñones Lugo)

OPINION | COLUMNS

Message from a Puerto Rican: Birthplace doesn’t determine language

By Ricardo Quiñones Lugo | Oct. 23

My past travels and friendships across cultures inspired me to pursue this path, and with all my work documents submitted, everything seemed conclusive. What could go wrong? Well, everything — only because of my birthplace of Puerto Rico.

NEWS

Mini crossword for Oct. 23, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Oct. 23

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Freshman libero Lily Hayes (13) celebrates alongside outside hitter Aniya Madkin (9) after winning a point against the Arkansas Razorbacks at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida tops Oklahoma at home, Aniya Madkin leads with 13 kills

By Ava DiCecca | Oct. 22

In its pursuit to get back in the polls, Florida topped Oklahoma at home and rebounded from a five-set loss against No. 3 Kentucky Sunday. The Gators capitalized on their home court before hitting the road for their next three games.

Florida baseball head coach Kevin O'Sullivan argues with in the sixth inning of a 19-1 loss to South Alabama on June 5.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF baseball coach Kevin O’Sullivan takes leave of absence from program

By Daniela Ortiz | Oct. 22

The University of Florida announced that longtime baseball coach Kevin O’Sullivan is taking a leave of absence to address personal matters, according to a press release. No more details are known at this time.

Liv McGill (23) drives to the basket during the first half against the Chicago State Cougars at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF’s Liv McGill selected to 2025-26 Preseason All-SEC Second Team

By Isis Snow | Oct. 22

Florida sophomore guard Liv McGill was named to the 2025-26 Preseason All-SEC Second Team after an impressive freshman campaign with the Gators.

The Gators men's golf team poses following its win at the Williams Cup in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Oct 21. Courtesy of UAA Communications Andy Mead

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men's golf wins first tournament of the 2025-26 season

By Brooke Bastedo | Oct. 22

The No. 14 Florida men’s golf team earned its first win of the season at the Williams Cup in Wilmington, North Carolina. In their past two appearances, Florida finished twice, but all four golfers finishing in the top 17 helped lift the Gators to their first Williams Cup victory.

Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) dribbles the ball in a basketball game against South Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

The Brown brothers look to make history with Florida basketball

By Jeffrey Serber | Oct. 22

Florida's Isaiah and AJ Brown look to compete as the first pair of Gators brothers to be on the court together since 1990.

NEWS

Mini crossword for Oct. 22, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Oct. 22

Play The Alligator's original mini crossword.

NEWS

Mini crossword for Oct. 21, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Oct. 21

Play The Alligator's original mini crossword.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway speaks after Billy Gonzales at the interim coach’s opening press conference on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

With Napier gone, what did DJ Lagway and Myles Graham said about their commitment to Florida?

By Curan Ahern | Oct. 20

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway and Myles Graham talked about their commitment to Florida beyond the 2025 season following the Gators' decision to part ways with head coach Billy Napier.

Quarterbacks coach Ryan O'Hara during the Gators' practice on Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Sanders football practice fields in Gainesville, FL

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

QBs coach Ryan O’Hara will call offensive plays for Gators

By Luke Adragna | Oct. 20

For the first time in several years, the Gators’ offense will finally provide some clarity as to who is responsible for the playcalling.

Billy Gonzales speaks at his opening press conference on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘Play for the patch’: Billy Gonzales brings fire to interim head coaching position

By Max Bernstein | Oct. 20

Florida interim head coach Billy Gonzales addressed the media for the first time following the Gators' decision to part ways with former head coach Billy Napier.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier runs through the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium before the Florida Gators play the Texas Longhorns on Oct. 4, 2025 in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘Four-year nightmare’: UF fans react to Napier’s firing

By Curan Ahern | Oct. 20

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium erupted in “fire Billy” chants multiple times Oct. 18, calling for head coach Billy Napier’s termination.

University of Florida Head Coach Billy Napier walks off the field after a timeout during the Gators game against the Bulldogs at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Billy Napier’s emotional goodbye: A recount of his final moments

By Luke Adragna | Oct. 20

Winning can only buy so much time. Losses take that time away. And Napier, the Gators head coach through four turbulent seasons, seemed to realize the inevitable decision that awaited him.

NEWS

Mini crossword for Oct. 20, 2025

By Rohit Paranjape | Oct. 20

Play The Alligator's original mini crossword.

Player for Florida and Carolina anticipate where to intercept the ball after a goalie kick.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer settles for draw against Ole Miss in final home game

By Adrian Carmona | Oct. 19

The Florida Gators finished its final home game of the regular season with a 0-0 draw against the Ole Miss Rebels.

Florida Gators defensive strategist Bella Lee (21) goes to dive the ball in a match against the Auburn Tigers on Oct. 3, 2025 in the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida falls to undefeated No. 3 Kentucky in SEC rivalry match

By Isis Snow | Oct. 19

The Gators fell to undefeated No. 3 Kentucky in an SEC rivalry match-up which became a five-set thriller.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier during a football game between the Long Island Sharks and the Florida Gators on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

What other college football coaches have been fired after a win?

By Max Bernstein | Oct. 19

Billy Napier was dismissed as Florida head coach Sunday after a 22-23 record in 45 games with the Gators, but he Napier went out with a win in his final game.

Former Penn State head coach James Franklin talks to a referee during a NCAA college football playoff game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Who could be the next Gators football head coach?

By Max Bernstein | Oct. 19

The Billy Napier era met its end on Oct. 19 after UF’s 3-4 start to the 2025 season. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin has options for the next Gators football coach.

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