2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

JJ Schwarz celebrates with teammates at home plate after hitting the first of his two home runs during Florida's 11-4 win against Florida State on June 6, 2015, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators look to return to CWS after successful 2015 season

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 2, 2016

Florida’s 2015 season was heartbreaking.

Michigan's Jarrod Wilson intercepts a pass from UF quarterback Treon Harris in the endzone during the Wolverines' 41-7 win against the Gators in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016, in Orlando.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

SOUR ENDING: Florida blown out by Michigan in Citrus Bowl

By Luis Torres | Jan. 1, 2016

ORLANDO — Florida’s defense has been its backbone all season.

UF guard Eleanna Christinaki drives into the paint during Florida's 99-34 win against Savannah State on Nov. 24, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Freshman guard Eleanna Christinaki leads Gators to win over UCF

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 30, 2015

Eleanna Christinaki was on a mission Wednesday night.

UF defensive coordinator Geoff Collins speaks during a press conference at the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 30, 2015, in Orlando.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Defense will be on display in Citrus Bowl

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 30, 2015

Florida’s defense has garnered a good deal of hype entering Friday’s Citrus Bowl contest against Michigan, and deservedly so.

The University of Michigan football team beats Minnesota, 29-26, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Oct. 31, 2015.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida not turning the other cheek with Michigan tight end Jake Butt

By Luis Torres | Dec. 30, 2015

ORLANDO — Michigan tight end Jake Butt brings a dynamic to the Wolverines’ offense that the Florida defense hasn’t seen much this season.

UF men's basketball coach Mike White reacts after a play during the first half of Florida's 89-42 win against Palm Beach Atlantic in an exhibition game Nov. 5, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators fall to ‘Noles on last-second shot

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Dec. 29, 2015

Despite KeVaughn Allen’s career-best performance, a Florida State jump shot by Dwayne Bacon in the final seconds spoiled a late comeback by Florida on Tuesday night.

METRO | POLITICS

Jeb Bush visits Ocala, talks terrorism and national debt

By Hunter Williamson | Dec. 28, 2015

OCALA - Debra White wasn’t certain who she’d vote for Monday morning in the 2016 presidential election.

NEWS | CAMPUS

University Police investigating suicide at UF Hilton

By Martin Vassolo | Dec. 28, 2015

The University Police Criminal Investigations Division is currently investigating a suicide at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center hotel.

UF's Kelvin Taylor rushes during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Kelvin Taylor believes decision to leave for NFL Draft was right one

By Luis Torres | Dec. 28, 2015

ORLANDO — When Kelvin Taylor shuts off the lights after a long day and goes to bed, he can’t sleep. Instead, he finds himself thinking about the biggest decision he made in his life.

UF running back Jordan Scarlett (25) runs out of bounds after a 60-yard gain in the fourth quarter of Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Jordan Scarlett cited for marijuana, suspended for bowl game

By Luis Torres | Dec. 27, 2015

Jordan Scarlett’s freshman season has come to an abrupt end.

UF offensive lineman Mason Halter goes in for a block during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Two Gators suspended for bowl game against Michigan

By Luis Torres | Dec. 27, 2015

Florida will be without two players during its bowl game against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day.

UF men's basketball coach Mike White smiles after a play during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida downs Jacksonville behind strong shooting performance

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Dec. 22, 2015

Florida had struggled shooting the basketball in recent games heading into Tuesday night’s matchup against Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Three more Gators to enter NFL Draft

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 21, 2015

The list of Gators declaring for the NFL Draft continues to grow.

UF quarterback Will Grier drops back to pass during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jim McElwain addresses Will Grier's transfer request

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 21, 2015

Jim McElwain didn’t see it coming.

METRO

GREC files arbitration against Gainesville

By Hunter Williamson | Dec. 21, 2015

Gainesville Renewable Energy Center said Monday it is filing arbitration against the city of Gainesville because of Gainesville Regional Utilities withholding a couple hundred thousand dollars in payments.

Amanda Butler calls out a play during Florida's 64-56 loss to No. 6 Tennessee on Feb. 8 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women's basketball wins 2015 Gator Holiday Classic

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 21, 2015

There’s a line from the Pixar film “The Incredibles” that, despite its insulting intention in the movie, accurately sums up this season’s Gator women’s basketball team.