Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF coach Jim McElwain walks out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy talks Jim McElwain

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 2, 2015

Jim McElwain’s dead fish analogy isn’t something new.

UF's Demarcus Robinson (left) eludes defenders after catching a pass during Florida's 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

UF seniors keep Demarcus Robinson on team

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 2, 2015

Demarcus Robinson now has another opportunity.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks across the football field before an NCAA college football game against Auburn on Saturday in Auburn, Alabama.

Sports

Looking back at the UF-Alabama SEC Championship rivalry

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 1, 2015

When No. 18 Florida and No. 2 Alabama face off in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game at 4 p.m. Saturday, it’ll be the eighth matchup between the two for the conference crown. The Gators own the all-time record against the Crimson Tide in the title game, 4-3. Here’s a look at how the other matchups panned out.

Teammates celebrate with cornerback Jalen Tabor after his interception during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Secondary duo key to Florida football team’s success

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 1, 2015

In the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Florida State, UF defensive back Jalen Tabor came inches away from knocking down a pass on fourth down.

UF quarterback Treon Harris passes during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Florida rallying around struggling sophomore quarterback

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 1, 2015

Quarterback Treon Harris has failed to move Florida’s offense over the last month.

Sports

SEC Championship Game asserts UF’s return to relevance

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 30, 2015

Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game is the most concrete evidence to date that the Gators have returned to the national spotlight sooner than anyone could have anticipated.

In this Nov. 7, 2015, file photo, LSU quarterback Brandon Harris (6) is hit by Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) and Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa , Ala.

Sports

A look at the opponent waiting the Gators in Atlanta: the Alabama Crimson Tide

By Luis Torres | Nov. 30, 2015

With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, the No. 12 Gators (10-2) will head to Atlanta for a matchup against No. 2 Alabama (11-1) with the Southeastern Conference Championship on the line.

UF Jim McElwain walks off the field following Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Student meets teacher at SEC Championship

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 29, 2015

Florida’s 27-2 loss to FSU in the team’s regular-season finale temporarily erased the memories of a promising season in Gainesville under first-year UF coach Jim McElwain.

UF's Kelvin Taylor rushes during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Kelvin Taylor a bright spot for Florida’s offense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 29, 2015

Prior to No. 12 Florida’s second possession of its 27-2 loss to No. 13 Florida State on Saturday, a former UF great, running back Fred Taylor, took the field to be honored as UF’s 2015 Southeastern Conference Living Legend.

UF quarterback Treon Harris drops back to pass during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Florida stifled by Florida State in regular season finale

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 28, 2015

For yet another week, the Gators’ offense struggled to support its defense.

A drenched UF football coach Jim McElwain (center) walks off the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium following Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Column: After their worst game of the season, Gators in trouble against Seminoles

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 23, 2015

Technically, the Gators avoided the trap by beating Florida Atlantic, albeit barely.

FSU running back Dalvin Cook celebrates a touchdown run in the first half of Florida State's 52-13 win against Chattanooga on Nov. 21, 2015, in Tallahassee

Sports

Florida defense preparing for Florida State running back Dalvin Cook

By Luis Torres | Nov. 23, 2015

Florida’s rush defense is one of the best in the country, but going into its rivalry game against Florida State, and against one of the best running backs in the country, the Gators’ defensive line will be limping into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Picks column: Florida State

Nov. 23, 2015

Site: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Cap. 88,548)

Johnny Townsend punts during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Column: UF punter Johnny Townsend has been Florida’s best weapon

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 23, 2015

What Johnny Townsend has done for the Gators this year is incredible.

UF's Antonio Morrison (3) pursues an FAU player during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES: Antonio Morrison’s style is unique yet effective

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 23, 2015

Antonio Morrison fits the part of a linebacker.

UF tight end Jake McGee breaks past a defender on his way to the game-winning touchdown in Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

'Push through it': Overtime win a wake-up call for Gators

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 22, 2015

Florida should have had no problems on Saturday.

UF wide receiver Antonio Callaway is tackled by FAU punter Dalton Schomp during a punt return in Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Antonio Callaway giving life to Gators offense

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 22, 2015

While the rest of his team’s energy level was comparable to that of dead seafood, as coach Jim McElwain put it, wide receiver Antonio Callaway was quite alive on Saturday.

Will Grier runs onto the field during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. West Virginia announced on April 6, 2016, that Grier was transferring to WVU.

Sports

Florida quarterback loses NCAA appeal

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 20, 2015

Florida quarterback Will Grier has lost his appeal to reduce a year-long suspension by the NCAA, the school confirmed Friday night.

UF defensive end Jalen Tabor intercepts a pass during Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Sports

McElwain guarding against letdown to FAU

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 19, 2015

Florida and Florida Atlantic don’t have much in common.

UF linebacker Jarrad Davis (40, from left) and defensive linemen Alex McCalister, Bryan Cox Jr. and Jonathan Bullard celebrate after a sack during Florida's 28-27 win against Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

ANSWERING THE CALL: Jarrad Davis making the most of his opportunity

By Luis Torres | Nov. 19, 2015

With Florida clinging to a 31-24 lead against East Carolina, ECU quarterback Blake Kemp dropped back to pass.