Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Safety Matt Elam intercepts a pass thrown by EJ Manuel during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Sports

Safety Matt Elam thriving as silent leader

By ADAM PINCUS | Nov. 27, 2012

Will Muschamp made sure he didn’t make the same mistake twice.

Sophomore Loucheiz Purifoy carries the ball down the field during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Sports

Loucheiz Purifoy emerging as versatile threat

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 27, 2012

As a freshman, Loucheiz Purifoy struggled to get on the field. One year later, Florida can’t take him off it.

Leon Orr gets into his stance during UF’s 44-11 win against South Carolina on Oct. 20, 2012, in The Swamp.

Sports

Injured Jelani Jenkins likely to miss bowl game

By ADAM PINCUS | Nov. 26, 2012

After a fractured right thumb and a hamstring injury kept linebacker Jelani Jenkins out of three games this season, a broken fifth metatarsal will keep him out of Florida’s bowl game. He underwent surgery on Monday morning and is expected to be out four to six weeks.

Linebacker Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Sports

Freshman linebacker expected to see larger role after early success

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 26, 2012

When Antonio Morrison has played, the results have been promising. Coach Will Muschamp is expecting them to only get better.

Running back Mike Gillislee runs the ball into the endzone during a 37-26 win against Florida State at Doak Cambell Stadium in Tallahasse, Fla.

Sports

Mike Gillislee hits milestone, carries Florida to victory

By ADAM PINCUS | Nov. 25, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Will Muschamp called his team soft last season after UF closed out a dismal year with an embarrassing home loss to Florida State.

Marcus Roberson (5) takes the ball down the field during Florida's 37-26 win against Florida State at Doak Cambell Field in Tallahassee, Fla., on Nov. 24.

Sports

Notebook: Gators remain at No. 4 in latest BCS standings; Roberson's punt return fuels Gators' comeback

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 25, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Florida remained ranked at No. 4 in the BCS standings on Sunday night. UF is behind No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia.

Safety Matt Elam celebrates after making a tackle in Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Sports

Stating their case: Tougher UF ends on high note

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 25, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — The atmosphere on Saturday night in the bowels of Doak Campbell Stadium was bittersweet. Florida’s fate was in another team’s hands, but coach Will Muschamp — soaked and dripping with Gatorade — still found plenty to be happy about.

Sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel escpaes the pass rush against Vanderbilt on Oct. 13 at Vanderbilt Stadium. Driskel will start against Florida State on Saturday despite nursing a sprained right ankle, coach Will Muschamp announced on Wednesday.

Sports

Driskel starting against Florida State in Tallahassee

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 21, 2012

Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel will start on Saturday at Florida State, coach Will Muschamp said on Wednesday during his weekly teleconference.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) carries the ball during Florida’s 27-20 victory against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Gators' Jeff Driskel cleared to play against Florida State

By ADAM PINCUS | Nov. 19, 2012

Florida entered the season without a clear-cut starter at quarterback. Now the same questions return for the Gators as they head to Tallahassee for a critical road matchup on Saturday in their final regular season game of 2012.

Running back Mike Gillislee (23) attempts to run through the Jacksonville State defense as quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) blocks during UF’s 23-0 win on Saturday in The Swamp.

Sports

Gillislee snaps out of funk in win against Jacksonville State

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 18, 2012

Mike Gillislee finally got over the hump.

Omarius Hines pushes toward the end zone after catching a screen pass during the second quarter of Florida’s 23-0 win against Jacksonville State on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Still in the hunt: Gators win sets up critical clash

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 18, 2012

On Saturday, the Gators did something they hadn’t done in their past four games: win without the outcome ever being in doubt.

Sports

UF football has pro-ready juniors

By ADAM PINCUS | Nov. 14, 2012

A rush of emotions will hit senior left tackle Xavier Nixon when he and UF’s 18 other seniors run out of the tunnel in The Swamp for the last time on Saturday, but they may not be the only ones.

Defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy blocks a pass on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. His block punt led to a Jelani Jenkins recovery for a touchdown. Florida Beat Louisiana 27-20.

Sports

Florida uses late punt block to sneak by Louisiana

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 10, 2012

With the Gators on the verge of a season-crushing loss, Loucheiz Purifoy kept UF’s BCS hopes alive.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel escapes the pass rush on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida beat Louisiana 27-20.

Sports

Notebook: Gators quarterback Driskel sprains ankle against Louisiana

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 10, 2012

Quarterback Jeff Driskel suffered a sprained right ankle during Florida’s 27-20 win against Louisiana on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Coach Will Muschamp did not know the severity of Driskel’s injury following the game.

Florida safety Josh Evans chases Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell at EverBank Field during the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday, October 27, 2012. Georgia won, 17-9.

Sports

Senior safety succeeding despite off-field challenges

By ADAM PINCUS | Nov. 7, 2012

Leading the team in tackles is nothing for Josh Evans.

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn shouts to his defensive linemen during Florida’s 14-7 victory against Missouri on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: Junior linebacker pushing through injuries for Gators

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 7, 2012

Jelani Jenkins has struggled to stay on the field this season, but he will not let his injuries discourage him.

Safety Josh Evans (9) tackles wideout Dorial Green-Beckham (15) during Florida’s 14-7 win against Missouri on Nov. 3 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: Pease noncommittal on UK opening

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 6, 2012

Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease is a candidate to take the head coaching job at Kentucky next season, but don’t hold your breath for a quick decision.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel signals to the Gators’ offense in Florida’s 14-7 win against Missouri on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. UF went to a hurry-up attack on its first two possessions.

Sports

Florida football taking up-tempo approach to cure slow starts

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 6, 2012

In response to a streak of slow starts, the Gators are picking up the pace.

Wideout Frankie Hammond Jr. hauls in a 43-yard touchdown during UF’s 14-7 win against Missouri on Saturday. The play was called back due to a holding call on Jon Halapio.

Sports

Column: Gators should air it out

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 6, 2012

Will Muschamp is not changing anything.

Running back Mike Gillislee (23) runs toward the end zone while being chased by Missouri linebacker Will Ebner (32) during Florida’s 14-7 win on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Gillislee pleased with performance despite statistical downturn

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 5, 2012

Mike Gillislee has new goals.