Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior running back Mike Gillislee is in line for more carries this season following the departures of Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. He averaged just 5.1 carries per game for the Gators a year go.

Sports

Gillislee tops depth chart after Demps, Rainey depart

By TOM GREEN | Mar. 14, 2012

Mike Gillislee no longer has to work his way out of the shadows of Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.

Former Florida running back Chris Rainey said potential suitors in April’s NFL Draft have been asking him about his 2010 arrest.

Sports

Rainey draws praise at Pro Day; Brantley working on footwork

By TOM GREEN | Mar. 13, 2012

Chris Rainey isn’t concerned about his NFL Draft stock; he doesn’t “want to hear all of that bullcrap.”

Sports

Driskel, Brissett entrenched in battle for starting QB spot

By GREG LUCA | Mar. 13, 2012

Not long after new offensive coordinator Brent Pease had been hired, Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett were in his office, trying to get a copy of their new playbook.

Sports

Gators hire new offensive line coach to replace Verducci

By TOM GREEN | Feb. 13, 2012

Florida parted ways with offensive line coach Frank Verducci to make room for one of coach Will Muschamp’s former colleagues Monday.

Sports

Weak close on signing day doesn’t mean much

By TOM GREEN | Feb. 2, 2012

Coffee is for closers.

Five-star wide receiver Nelson Agholor of Tampa Berkely Prep surprised Gators fans Wednesday by choosing Southern Cal over Florida at an announcement ceremony at his high school in Tampa.

Sports

Five-star Agholor spurns Florida on signing day, chooses USC

By Kelly Price | Feb. 1, 2012

TAMPA — The mystery that is Nelson Agholor finally came to a conclusion Wednesday afternoon.

Sports

Numbers tell the story: Pease’s UF success not guaranteed

By TOM GREEN | Jan. 18, 2012

At first glance, Will Muschamp’s hire of former Boise State offensive coordinator Brent Pease to fill the vacancy at Florida seems like a great one.

Sports

Notebook: Powell visits; Diggs, Howard coming this weekend

By Kelly Price | Jan. 17, 2012

After his official visit last weekend, Jeremi Powell is completely full.

Sports

The Rally: Should fans be excited by UF’s incoming recruiting class?

By MATT WATTS | Jan. 17, 2012

Matt: After a dismal season, Florida fans everywhere are in emotional purgatory.

Sports

New OC Pease brings degree of continuity, pro-style experience

By TOM GREEN | Jan. 12, 2012

Tasked with hiring his second offensive coordinator in as many years, Florida coach Will Muschamp put his focus on finding the right fit for his team and system as he tries to rebuild Florida’s program.

Sports

For all his hesitation, Demps ultimately made right choice

By TOM GREEN | Jan. 12, 2012

Florida running back Jeff Demps finally came to his senses.

Sports

Pease could attract undecided recruits

By Kelly Price | Jan. 11, 2012

For Florida coach Will Muschamp and new offensive coordinator Brent Pease, it all started with a 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive tackle named “Sweet Pea.”

Sports

Source: Pease to be named offensive coordinator

By GREG LUCA | Jan. 10, 2012

Brent Pease will be announced as Florida’s next offensive coordinator today, according to a source close to the team.

Sports

The Rally: Can SEC sustain dominance after sixth straight BCS title?

By GREG LUCA | Jan. 10, 2012

Greg: Alabama’s 21-0 win against LSU in the BCS title game may not have been the most entertaining to watch, but it reaffirmed one thing many of us already knew: The SEC is king.

Junior wide receiver Andre Debose smiles as he accepts the trophy for Most Valuable Player at the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. in Jacksonville. Debose hasn't replicated the success he had in 2011.

Sports

Bowl win bittersweet as Florida loses seniors, looks to the future

Jan. 8, 2012

JACKSONVILLE — When they finally got to the end, Will Muschamp didn’t do much talking.

Redshirt senior Chris Rainey rushed for 71 yards and set a school and SEC record when he blocked the sixth punt of his career in the third quarter of Florida's Gator Bowl win.

Sports

Notebook: Special teams vault Gators past Buckeyes

By TOM GREEN | Jan. 2, 2012

JACKSONVILLE — On a day when offense was at a premium in the Gator Bowl, it was Florida’s special teams that proved to be the difference.

Florida defensive end/linebacker Ronald Powell was one of five Gators to sack Buckeyes freshman quarterback Braxton Miller during Monday's Gator Bowl.

Sports

Gators defensive line dominant in Gator Bowl victory

By MATT WATTS | Jan. 2, 2012

JACKSONVILLE — On a pivotal third-and-7 play just before halftime of Florida's victory against Ohio State on Monday, defensive tackle Jaye Howard tore through the middle of the Buckeyes line and wrapped up quarterback Braxton Miller.

The Gators are the most penalized team in the nation with 61 for 465 yards, including six against Auburn on Saturday. The most glaring was an offsides call on defensive tackle Dominique Easley that allowed Auburn a free shot at the end zone, which it converted for the game’s first points.

Sports

Notebook: No hires yet for open positions; McCray, Wenger still hurting

By GREG LUCA | Dec. 27, 2011

Florida coach Will Muschamp has not yet chosen replacements at offensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach, and there is no timetable for when those hires will be made.

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis will be named the head coach at Kansas on Friday, the Jayhawks announced Thursday.

Sports

Charlie Weis to be named Kansas coach

By TOM GREEN | Dec. 8, 2011

Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis will be named the head coach at Kansas on Friday.

Florida sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley suffered an injury to the ACL in his left knee during Florida’s 21-7 loss to Florida State on Nov. 26. He will undergo surgery Wednesday and will miss the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.

Sports

Notebook: Easley to undergo surgery on ACL, miss Gator Bowl on Jan. 2

By TOM GREEN | Dec. 4, 2011

Florida sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley will miss next month’s TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl while recovering from knee surgery.