Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Jordan Cronkrite (32) takes a break from Florida's Spring practice while running backs coach Tim Skipper (middle) watches Mark Thompson (24) run drills. The Gators practiced for two hours at the Sanders Practice Fields on March 30.

Sports

Sophomore running back leaving Florida

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 8, 2016

Jordan Cronkrite is leaving the Florida football program.

Austin Appleby, right, celebrates with Quincy Wilson after Florida's 16-10 win against LSU on Nov. 19, 2016, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Sports

Roundtable: What was the most memorable moment of the 2016 season?

Dec. 5, 2016

There you have it, Gators fans.

Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 54-16 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3, 2016, in Atlanta.

Sports

LIMPING TO THE FINISH: Gators get Outback Bowl after loss to Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 4, 2016

Tyrie Cleveland slumped in his locker with a towel covering his face. Antonio Callaway fell to the floor and stayed there, his jersey pulled up to cover his eyes.

Nick Saban celebrates after winning the SEC Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Georgia Dome.

Sports

Notebook: For Alabama, a blowout is still something to celebrate

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 3, 2016

ATLANTA — About six Alabama players — all wearing “2016 Southeastern Conference Champions” hats and T-Shirts — ran from the field to their locker room after the game hollering down the hallway.

Austin Appleby kneels on the field after Florida's 54-16 loss to Alabama on Dec. 3, 2016, in the SEC Championship Game.

Sports

Florida falls in SEC title game for second-straight year

By IAN COHEN | Dec. 3, 2016

ATLANTA — Austin Appleby knelt on the field and gripped the helmet in his right hand.

Offensive lineman David Sharpe, right, stands over quarterback Austin Appleby during Florida's loss to Florida State on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

Sports

Notebook: UF confident in chances vs. ‘Bama

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 29, 2016

Jim McElwain stood at the lectern on Monday and made a bold declaration. With a matchup against No. 1 Alabama — a team with the No. 1 scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense in the country — looming following a double-digit loss to Florida State, the second-year coach was asked about the obvious mismatch of his No. 114-ranked offense facing the elite Crimson Tide defense.

Quincy Wilson prepares for a play during Florida's 32-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Florida football: three things to know ahead of Alabama

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 29, 2016

As No. 15 Florida prepares for a matchup with No. 1 Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship game on Saturday, here are a few things to know from this week’s conversations with Florida’s players and coach Jim McElwain.

Jalen Tabor (31) claps before walking out of the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during Florida's 33-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016.

Sports

UF players: 'Anything can happen' against ‘Bama

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 29, 2016

Jalen Tabor remembers the feeling.

Coach Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 24-10 win over Georgia on Oct. 29, 2016, in Jacksonville.

Sports

McElwain embracing opportunity against Alabama

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 28, 2016

So, Jim McElwain, is your offense ready for the mismatch it’s about to face in Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game against Alabama’s defense?

Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois reacts to scoring a touchdown in front of Florida linebacker Kylan Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Florida State defeated Florida 33-13. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

Sports

‘HEARTBROKEN’: UF’s playoff hopes dashed in loss to FSU

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 27, 2016

TALLAHASSEE — The pocket was closing, so Austin Appleby ran.

Quincy Wilson, right, tackles Dalvin Cook during Florida's loss to Florida State on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

Sports

Slim playoff hopes melt away in Florida's loss to FSU

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 26, 2016

TALLAHASSEE — Austin Appleby never saw Josh Sweat coming.

Austin Appleby is pressured in the pocket during Florida's loss to FSU on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

Sports

Timely mistakes cost Florida in loss to FSU

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 26, 2016

TALLAHASSEE — CeCe Jefferson slogged to the sideline and shoved defensive line coach Chris Rumph.

Austin Appleby runs during Florida's 20-7 win over South Carolina on Nov. 12, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Appleby takes over, leads UF through season's final stretch

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 21, 2016

Austin Appleby knew there were no guarantees when he came to Florida.

Sports

ATLANTA BOUND: Gators earn second straight berth in SEC title game

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 20, 2016

It would be difficult to overstate the magnitude of the moment.

Jalen Tabor celebrates with fans after Florida's 16-10 win over LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Nov. 19, 2016.

Sports

Florida holds on in Death Valley in dramatic win

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 19, 2016

BATON ROUGE, La. — “Theirs but to do & die, into the valley of death rode the six hundred.”

Antonio Callaway lies on the grass during Florida's win against South Carolina on Nov. 12, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Sports

Florida hoping history doesn’t repeat itself against LSU

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 17, 2016

Antonio Callaway turned and propelled himself through the air like a rocket, extending his arms as high as they’d go to grab the football. The pair of LSU defenders on either side of him didn’t have time to react.

Eddy Pineiro (15) smiles as he walks off the field after making a field goal during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Police: Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro could face misdemeanor charges after causing $800 worth of damages

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 17, 2016

Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro could face two misdemeanor charges after police said he caused roughly $800 worth of damages to two scooters, according to a sworn complaint filed Nov. 7.

Sports

Notebook: Gators focused on limiting turnovers

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 16, 2016

If the Gators hope to escape Baton Rouge with a second-straight Southeastern Conference East title, there’s two things they need to do according to head coach Jim McElwain.

Cornerback Jalen Tabor (31) celebrates after successfully defending wide receiver Josh Hammond (10) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Tabor says Gators aren’t ‘scared’ of LSU despite injuries

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 15, 2016

The Florida-LSU matchup didn’t need any extra hype.

T.J. McCoy (59) prepares to snap the ball during Florida's win against South Carolina on Nov. 12, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Third-string center proves his worth vs. South Carolina

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 15, 2016

T.J. McCoy didn’t have time to think before going in to play against South Carolina on Saturday.