Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Neiron Ball (11) helps tackle Kentucky Quarterback Patrick Towles (14) during the Gators' 36-30 win against the Wildcats on Satuday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

UF working on pass rush

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 17, 2014

Dante Fowler can’t rush the quarterback by himself.

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher talks to quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during FSU's 37-7 win against UF on Nov. 30 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Johnson’s Journal: Apathy is the key with latest Winston issue

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 17, 2014

Jameis Winston doesn’t care.

UF football players celebrate following Florida's 36-30 triple-overtime win against Kentucky on Sept. 13 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Florida not fazed by underdog label as ‘Bama game nears

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 16, 2014

If you listen to Las Vegas, the Gators have little shot against the Crimson Tide Saturday.

Kyle Christy punts the ball during Florida's 36-30 triple-overtime win against Kentucky on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: Roper reminisces on upset loss to Alabama during time at Duke

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 16, 2014

UF offensive coordinator Kurt Roper remembers the last time a team he coached played against Alabama.

Florida center Max Garcia (76) blocks Kentucky defensive tackle Melvin Lewis (90) during the Gators' 36-30 triple-overtime win against the Wildcats on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Roper OK with offensive line progress

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 16, 2014

Florida’s offensive line was inconsistent in its 36-30 triple-overtime win against Kentucky on Saturday.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin appears to step out of bounds while running for a touchdown as San Diego Chargers cornerback Richard Marshall defends on Saturday.

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Easley grabs interception, Harvin scores TD

By ERICA HERNANDEZ | Sep. 15, 2014

Defensive end Dominique Easley secured his first interception as a Patriot on Sunday when New England beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-7.

UF quarterback Jeff Driskel drops back in the pocket to attempt a pass during Florida's 36-30 triple-overtime win against Kentucky on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: Driskel prepared for road contest against Alabama

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 15, 2014

Quarterback Jeff Driskel was not ready to play when he stepped onto the field for the first non-garbage time snap of his career.

Alabama quarterback Blake Sims (6) throws as he works through drills during Alabama football practice on Monday at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Sports

College Football Notebook: SEC has talent, upsets highlight Week 3

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 15, 2014

Forget everything said about Georgia being the new frontrunner to win the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. South Carolina — two weeks after being walloped by Texas A&M at home — pulled out a gutsy 38-35 win at home to stay alive in the SEC East race.

Florida safety Keanu Neal (42) intercepts a pass intended for Kentucky wide receiver Javess Blue (8) during the Gators' 36-30 triple-overtime win against the Wildcats on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Young Florida secondary surrenders big plays against Kentucky

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 14, 2014

The Gators’ secondary couldn’t decide what it wanted to be Saturday night.

UF running back Matt Jones carries the ball during Florida's 36-30 triple-overtime win against Kentucky on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Junior running back carries Florida in second half against Kentucky

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 14, 2014

Fans buzzed about Demarcus Robinson following Florida’s 36-30 triple overtime victory over Kentucky.

Demarcus Robinson (11) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in Florida's 36-30 triple-overtime win against Kentucky on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

WORK IN PROGRESS: UF inconsistent in triple-overtime win

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 14, 2014

When Florida took to the field for its Southeastern Conference opener against Kentucky on Saturday, it looked nothing like the team that showed up against Eastern Michigan one week earlier.

SEC Network's Joe Tessitore (left), Tim Tebow (center) and Marcus Spears (right) on the SEC Nation set located on UF's Plaza of the Americas on Friday.

Sports

Johnson’s Journal: SEC Nation has support, talent needed for successful run

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 14, 2014

What the SEC Network is trying to do is akin to attempting to launch a food truck that sells specialty burgers in the parking lot of a McDonald’s that’s run by your father.

Teammates celebrate a touchdown with sophomore wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) during Florida's 36-30 overtime victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

CATCHING ON: Robinson ties school record in triple overtime win against Kentucky

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 13, 2014

The question of “what if?” will haunt Kentucky (2-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) fans for years to come.

Florida left tackle D.J. Humphries blocks Kentucky defensive end Za'Darius Smith (94) during the Gators' 24-7 win against the Wildcats on Sept. 28 in Lexington, Ky.

Sports

BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES: Florida offensive line faces challenge in Kentucky defense

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 11, 2014

The Gator Nation has been smiling all week following Florida’s 65-0 extravaganza against Eastern Michigan Saturday. But as any offensive line coach would say: the offense is only as good as the execution along the front five.

Kelvin Taylor runs 31 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of Florida’s 65-0 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Sports

Florida boasts deep running back group, will split carries

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 11, 2014

At the start of the season, Florida had three running backs listed as the possible starters for its season opener against Eastern Michigan — Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor and Mack Brown.

Kentucky running back Jojo Kemp (3) scores against Tennessee-Martin on a run as quarterback Patrick Towles (14) celebrates during Kentucky's 59-14 win against UT-Martin on Aug. 30 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Sports

‘Cats running back talks smack

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 10, 2014

Kentucky running back Jojo Kemp — who grew up fewer than two hours from Gainesville — said he will have a cheering section of more than 50 people in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium when the Wildcats visit the Gators on Saturday.