Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Redshirt junior center Kingsley Eguakun hikes the ball to redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz in the Gators' 29-16 win against the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

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Know Your Enemy: Tennessee Volunteers

By Max Tucker | Oct. 11, 2024

The Florida Gators football team is on the road this week for a matchup against No. 8 Tennessee in Knoxville, where the Volunteers narrowly defeated the Gators 38-33 in their last meeting at Neyland Stadium in 2022. Following its second consecutive victory, the Gators are carrying a bit of momentum into Rocky Top, whereas the Vols will be seeking to bounce back from an unexpected upset loss on the road Saturday to unranked Arkansas.

Florida head coach Billy Napier during the No. 18 Gators narrow victory over the South Florida Bulls Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.

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Florida’s 2025 recruiting class takes hit at receiver position

By Max Tucker | Oct. 8, 2024

Just as the Florida football team seemed to have found its rhythm following its second straight victory, the Gators lost a commitment from an impactful 2025 four-star wide receiver Tuesday.

Florida Gators tight end Hayden Hansen (89) during the UCF V. UF game at the Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Oct. 5, 2024.

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Florida football determined to keep improving following statement win over UCF

By Jack Meyer | Oct. 7, 2024

Following a tumultuous start to the 2024 campaign, the Florida Gators have won back-to-back games and are sitting at 3-2 as they enter the home stretch of the season. What has changed for UF in the last three weeks that has allowed them to go from dead in the water to thrashing back above .500?

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) stiff arms a defender during the second half half at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 05, 2024.

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Florida takes down UCF in Sunshine State matchup

By Chandler Hawkes | Oct. 6, 2024

The Florida Gators football team defeated the UCF Knights behind a quality defensive performance at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Saturday.

During the Florida Gators Football game vs the Samford Bulldogs on 09/07/2024.

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Florida vs. UCF: Live Updates

By Max Tucker | Oct. 5, 2024

The Florida Gators football team is set to take on UCF at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at 7 p.m. Follow along for live updates throughout the matchup.

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Scorched in the swamp: A game day battle with heat

By Nathan Thomas | Oct. 5, 2024

She flew all the way from Gainesville, Texas, to watch the Aggies play the Gators and support the team she’s been a fan of for 51 years. The heat was something she said she didn’t expect, though.

Florida Gators Football Head Coach Billy Napier watches his team practice ahead of their game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi, on Sept. 21, 2024.

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UCF’s rushing attack boasts tall task for Gators in Week 6

By Chandler Hawkes | Sep. 29, 2024

Fresh off a bye week, Florida football will look to make adjustments defensively to slow down UCF’s prolific rushing offense.

Florida wide receiver Elijhah Badger reaches out to catch a pass during the Gators' game vs. the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 21.

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Florida’s offense looks sharp in much-needed SEC road victory against Mississippi State

By Max Tucker | Sep. 21, 2024

Amid heavy criticism from its fanbase, the Florida Gators football team desperately needed to execute at a high level against Mississippi State.They did just that behind a high-powered offensive performance in Starkville Saturday.

Florida quarterbacks Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway high five one another before the start of the Gator game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

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Florida vs. Mississippi State: Live updates

By Chandler Hawkes | Sep. 21, 2024

Follow along right here for live updates of today's matchup between Florida and Mississippi State.

Junior defensive lineman Cam Jackson warms up before the Gators' 52-35 loss to the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

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Defensive improvements crucial for UF ahead of Mississippi State

Sep. 20, 2024

It’s been difficult to pinpoint exactly what the biggest weakness is for Florida this season. From lackluster play at the line of scrimmage, to an inability to effectively run the football, there’s plenty of room for improvement.

Freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III runs with the ball past a Georgia defender in the Gators’ 43-20 loss against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

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Eugene Wilson III, Joey Slackman both undergo knee surgery, timetable for returns unclear

By Jack Meyer | Sep. 19, 2024

Florida football will likely be without two of its top players in the coming weeks, as both wide receiver Eugene Wilson III and defensive lineman Joey Slackman have undergone knee surgery in the past week.

Florida football head coach Billy Napier leaves the field after being defeated by the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, Sept, 14.

Sports

When and why Florida football head coaches were fired

By Max Tucker | Sep. 17, 2024

An alleged UF Board of Trustees meeting certainly won’t take Billy Napier off the hot seat at Florida. But the fan base may not see its head coach walk out the door as soon as they’d thought based on Florida's track record of firing coaches mid-season.

Gator quarterback Graham Mertz talks to a Florida coach before the game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

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Graham Mertz learning to “appreciate life for what it is” amid chaotic start to season

By Jack Meyer | Sep. 16, 2024

As tensions surrounding the Florida football program continue to rise, Gators quarterback Graham Mertz has had to deal with a variety of professional and personal issues, both on and off the field.

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Florida flatlines in disheartening loss to Texas A&M

By Jack Meyer | Sep. 14, 2024

In what many pegged as Florida’s chance to right the ship in what has been a rocky 2024 campaign, the Gators fell apart in their 33-20 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies Saturday.

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Florida vs. Texas A&M: Live Updates

Sep. 14, 2024

Follow along here for live updates throughout the Gators matchup against Texas A&M.

Freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson warms up before the Gators' 52-35 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Baton Rouge, Louisana.

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Florida could turn new faces at receiver for Texas A&M matchup

By Chandler Hawkes | Sep. 12, 2024

With Eugene Wilson III potentially missing Saturday’s game due to a lower-body injury, the Gators may need to turn to their young and talented wide receiving core.

UF head coach Billy Napier and the Gators prepare to enter Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Florida's 24-15 loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

Sports

Florida vs. Samford: Live Updates

By Jack Meyer | Sep. 7, 2024

The Florida Gators (0-1) are back at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this evening for a matchup with the Samford Bulldogs (0-1). Kickoff time is set for 7:00 p.m. Follow along here for live game updates.

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Pushback, parking bans and season-ending injuries hinder Florida ahead of Week 2

By Max Tucker | Sep. 7, 2024

UF head coach Billy Napier faced immense criticism from Gator fans after the team fell well short of its expectations against the Hurricanes. But the uphill battle Florida faced only grew steeper as Napier attempted to shift the focus to Samford.

Punter Jeremy Crawshaw warms up before the Gators' game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

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Special teams a positive in otherwise disappointing start for the Gators

By Chandler Hawkes | Sep. 6, 2024

Special teams shine in otherwise disappointing start for the Gators

Florida football head coach Billy Napier looks on as freshman DJ Lagway and redshirt senior Graham Mertz practice drills at Florida Football Fall Camp on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

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DJ Lagway set to make first start at UF

By Max Tucker | Sep. 5, 2024

Florida’s uphill battle this season only got more challenging when quarterback Graham Mertz was sent into concussion protocol. But an opportunity awaits for five-star freshman DJ Lagway to let his talents flourish in his first start as a Florida Gator.