Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Will Muschamp reacts to a call during Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Despite the loss, the Gators can still win the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division.

Sports

STILL IN THE HUNT: SEC East remains open

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 13, 2013

BATON ROUGE, La. — Florida fell back to earth on Saturday. Fortunately for the Gators, Atlanta is of this world.

Marcus Roberson (5) tackles Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Oct. 12 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

Sports

Notebook: Redshirt junior kicker perfect in Florida debut

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 12, 2013

BATON ROUGE, La. – Francisco Velez previously spent Saturdays watching football.

Tyler Murphy (right) scrambles away from an LSU defensive lineman during Florida’s 17-6 loss on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Murphy was sacked four times in the game for a loss of 40 yards.

Sports

Murphy should be lauded despite offensive meltdown

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Oct. 12, 2013

BATON ROUGE, La. — Florida should leave its 17-6 loss to LSU feeling good about Tyler Murphy and awful about its offense.

Kelvin Taylor (left) lunges away from Tigers senior safety Craig Loston during Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. The freshman tailback carried the ball 10 times for 52 yards.

Sports

Taylor breaks free against Tigers

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 12, 2013

BATON ROUGE, La. — Kelvin Taylor made Florida’s offense look alive in Death Valley.

Ronald Powell attempts to shed a block during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Oct. 5 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Powell will play LSU on Saturday for the first time since the Gators lost to the Tigers 41-11 in Tiger Stadium during the 2011 season.

Sports

Powell ready for road rematch with Tigers

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 10, 2013

The loss still stings Ronald Powell.

Marcus Roberson returns a punt during Florida’s 21-16 loss to Miami on Sept. 7 in Sun Life Stadium. Roberson is expected to play against LSU.

Sports

Notebook: Florida coaching staff looking to reduce ‘dumb’ penalties

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 10, 2013

It took more than 35 minutes for Florida to commit a penalty against Arkansas on Saturday. But once the first flag was thrown, they littered the field.

Jaylen Watkins (14) tackles Arkansas wide receiver Javontee Herndon (19) during Florida’s 30-10 win against the Razorbacks on Oct. 5, 2013, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Watkins was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

Sports

Florida defense to be tested by offense-oriented LSU

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 8, 2013

When LSU visited Ben Hill Griffin Stadium last season, the result was one of the grimiest, grittiest games Florida has played in recent years.

Max Garcia (76) runs at an opposing player during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Coach Will Muschamp named Garcia the top offensive lineman against Arkansas.

Sports

Notebook: Gators offense improving

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 8, 2013

Offensive coordinator Brent Pease was in a good mood Tuesday, and it was not just because it was his 49th birthday.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators are 4-1 this season.

Sports

Murphy enjoying ‘game manager’ title

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 7, 2013

Call Tyler Murphy a ‘game manager.’ The redshirt junior is not offended.

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger passes during LSU's 35-21 win against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., on Sept. 21.

Sports

LSU poses challenge to stout UF defense

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 7, 2013

Florida will face an explosive offense against LSU on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (right) tackles Cincinnati Bengals A.J. Green during an NFL football game in Cleveland

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Haden impressing as lockdown cornerback

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Oct. 7, 2013

With Week 5 of the NFL season in the books, we take a look at a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Loucheiz Purifoy returns an interception 42 yards for a touchdown during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida forced two turnovers during the game.

Sports

Junior cornerback sparks Gators with first interception

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 5, 2013

Don’t be careless with the football when Loucheiz Purifoy is coming after you.

Austin Hardin (16) and sophomore holder Kyle Crofoot (43) scramble for the football after a blocked kick during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Center ejected in third quarter

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Oct. 5, 2013

Jon Harrison was ejected against Arkansas on Saturday night, but the reason remains unclear.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Murphy completed 16 of 22 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

Sports

RAZOR SHARP: Murphy goes hog wild in win

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 5, 2013

In the first night game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in nearly two years, Tyler Murphy shut out the lights.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Man down, Murphy up: Redshirt junior making most of first opportunity

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 3, 2013

Jeff Driskel lines up in the shotgun.

Jon Harrison prepares to snap the ball during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Behind the Gators’ dominant offensive line, running back Matt Jones rushed for a career-high 176 yards against the Wildcats. Florida will face a talented Arkansas defense on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Powerful offensive line paving way for Gators

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 3, 2013

A 67-yard run takes more than a running back hitting the hole.

Arkansas tailback Alex Collins (3) runs past Texas A&M linebacker Nate Askew during the first quarter of a 45-33 loss to the Aggies on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark. Collins is second in the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game.

Sports

Freshman running back to test Gators

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Oct. 2, 2013

Arkansas running back Alex Collins has started his college career so impressively that even he is surprised.

Florida linebacker Michael Taylor blocks an opponent during UF’s 27-14 victory against Bowling Green on Sept. 1, 2012.

Sports

Taylor enjoying role increase for Florida defense

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 2, 2013

Linebacker Michael Taylor wears his heart on his sleeve.

Brent Pease walks on the field and watches warm-ups prior to Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Florida’s second-year offensive coordinator took the Gators’ quarterbacks for a nature walk near their hotel prior to the game.

Sports

Offensive coordinator takes UF quarterbacks on nature walk

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 1, 2013

Several Gators heard their phones buzz and ring on Saturday morning.

Austin Hardin attempts a field goal during Florida’s 24-7 win against Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington, Ky. Hardin has made four of his seven tries this season.

Sports

Replacing Easley tough task

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 1, 2013

Damien Jacobs did not lose just a teammate on the practice field when Dominique Easley was injured on Tuesday.