Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sports

Unfair situation gave Brissett, Driskel no chance to succeed

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 17, 2011

They say life is not fair.

After falling to Auburn 17-6 on Saturday, Florida will need South Carolina or Georgia to lose a game to have any hope of winning the Southeastern Conference East division.

Sports

Team hurting after third straight loss

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — For the second straight year, the Gators’ sizzling start has given way to an October meltdown.

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

Mistakes, penalties contribute to loss

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — The Gators are a representation of first-year head coach Will Muschamp: young, emotional and undisciplined.

Linebacker Jelani Jenkins (bottom) dropped an interception in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 17-6 loss at Auburn. Florida hasn’t forced a turnover since the second half against Kentucky on Sept. 24.

Sports

Florida defense fails to force turnover for third straight game

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — Thirteen and a half quarters.

Freshman Jeff Driskel replaced Jacoby Brissett at quarterback to start the second half Saturday.

Sports

Ugly game highlights UF's faults

Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — On the final play of the game Saturday, Jeff Driskel was still fighting for something. Pride, maybe.

Sports

Notebook: Gillislee not featured as run game struggles again

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — After coaches said Mike Gillislee earned himself a more prominent role in Florida’s offense, the reserve running back was largely absent from the game plan in the Gators’ 17-6 loss to Auburn.

Sports

Florida's turnover problems continue to haunt against Auburn

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 15, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. —Twelve and a half quarters.

Florida will need improvement on a young defense to avoid a three-game losing streak and a repeat of a disappointing 2010 season that finished with an 8-5 record.

Sports

Florida relying on youth for leadership with season on line

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 13, 2011

Florida has been here before.

Sports

Finally time to find out who the Gators are

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 13, 2011

The schedule says Florida’s season is half over, but in many ways it feels like it’s just starting.

Sports

Picks Column: Auburn

Oct. 13, 2011

We here at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column appreciate fine art.

Backup linebacker Dee Finley will transfer from Florida, the school announced in a release Wednesday. Finley came to Gainesville as a four-star prospect out of Auburn, Ala., but he played sparingly in two-plus seasons.

Sports

Notebook: Finley transferring from Florida, Muschamp wants one quarterback to emerge

Oct. 12, 2011

Linebacker Dee Finley has decided to transfer from Florida, the team announced in a statement Wednesday.

Sports

With plenty of blame to go around, who’s at fault?

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 12, 2011

After posting the worst back-to-back losses in the last 40 years, it would be easy for players and coaches to point fingers.

Sports

Two-quarterback situation not limited just to Florida

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 12, 2011

Who starts at quarterback?

Florida running back Mike Gillislee could receive more carries this week against No. 24 Auburn after rushing for a team-high 56 yards on nine carries against No. 1 LSU last week.

Sports

Gillislee stepping into larger role

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 11, 2011

For as long as he has been at Florida, running back Mike Gillislee has sat behind Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey.

Florida junior Matt Patchan has taken the starter’s role at left tackle from Xavier Nixon.

Sports

Notebook: Driskel’s ankle not an issue, Patchan earning more time at left tackle

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 11, 2011

Florida has a quarterback competition on its hands this week.

Florida freshman quarterback Jacoby Brissett started against LSU last week, completing 8 of 14 passes for a touchdown and two interceptions. Brissett will compete with fellow freshman Jeff Driskel this week in practice.

Sports

Brissett the starter for now, Driskel will practice, compete

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 10, 2011

Jacoby Brissett is still UF’s starter at quarterback, but Jeff Driskel will have an opportunity to capture the job this week.

Florida coach Will Muschamp cited poor tackling as one of the main reasons the team struggled against the run in games against Alabama and LSU, when the defense allowed 464 rushing yards and two 100-yard rushers. Muschamp said changes in personnel could be on the horizon.

Sports

Notebook: Defensive shakeup likely thanks to poor tackling; Gillislee to see more touches

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 10, 2011

Changes on defense are likely after the Gators have given up 464 rushing yards in back-to-back losses against Alabama and LSU.

Sports

With their backs against the wall, time is now for Gators

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 10, 2011

This is when we learn the most about the Gators.

Linebacker Michael Taylor (51) replaced Jelani Jenkins in the Gators’ second straight lopsided loss on Saturday, and more changes could be coming as Florida’s hopes of winning the SEC slowly dwindle.

Sports

UF CLINGING TO HOPE AFTER BLOWOUT

Oct. 9, 2011

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Gators walked out of Death Valley alive. That’s about the only positive you can take away from Saturday’s loss.

Florida racked up 12 penalties for 90 yards in Saturday’s 41-11 loss to LSU, and coach Will Muschamp said after the game that the issue would be addressed heavily going forward.

Sports

Florida now nation’s most penalized team

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 9, 2011

BATON ROUGE, La. — After the Gators got punched in the mouth, they shot themselves in the foot.