Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Hunter Joyer (41) drops a pass in the end zone during Florida’s 26-20 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators are 4-7 this season.

Sports

Rapid Descent: Gators take step back in Muschamp’s third year

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Nov. 25, 2013

A year ago, Will Muschamp was on top of the world.

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) escapes a sack attempt by Syracuse linebacker Marquis Spruill (11) during the Seminoles’ 59-3 victory against the Orange on Nov. 16 in Tallahassee.

Sports

Heisman Trophy candidate leads high-powered offense

By JOE MORGAN< | Nov. 25, 2013

Florida State University is famous for its “Flying High Circus.” But another act in Tallahassee has become even wilder. Little talk in the college football world these days does not concern Seminoles redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston.

Skyler Mornhinweg drops back to pass during Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

Sports

Mornhinweg expected to make third straight start for Gators

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Nov. 25, 2013

Skyler Mornhinweg has the task of a lifetime.

Quinton Dunbar attempts to catch a pass in the end zone during the fourth quarter of Florida’s 26-20 loss to Georgia Southern on Nov. 23, 2013, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: GSU dominates run game

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Nov. 23, 2013

The Gators’ injury-depleted defense has been leaking for several weeks.

Skyler Mornhinweg (17) attempts a pass during Florida’s 26-20 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mornhinweg finished the game 14 of 25 passing for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

Sports

Redshirt freshman struggles in second career start

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Nov. 23, 2013

Skyler Mornhinweg was tasked with engineering a game-winning drive for the second straight week. For the second straight time, he failed.

Defensive tackle Dominique Easley (2) rushes the quarterback during Florida’s 54-32 win against Furman on Nov. 19, 2011, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Blood, Sweat, Tears: Easley confident in face of life’s struggles

By ADAM PINCUS< | Nov. 21, 2013

Before giving opposing offenses headaches, Dominique Easley suffered pains from just sitting inside his Staten Island, N.Y., apartment as a child.

Kelvin Taylor (21) scores a touchdown during Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Taylor rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns in the Gators’ loss.

Sports

Freshman running back succeeding in starting position

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Nov. 21, 2013

Kelvin Taylor is used to setting high standards.

Tyler Murphy speaks on the sideline during Florida’s 19-14 loss to then-No. 10 South Carolina on Saturday in Williams-Brice Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: Florida failing to create turnovers

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Nov. 20, 2013

Seven starters from a year ago are not the only thing gone from the Gators’ defense this season.

Redshirt junior quarterback Christian Provancha, left, warms up with redshirt freshman Skyler Mornhinweg, right, prior to Florida's 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Sept. 28 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

Sports

Redshirt junior quarterback relishing sudden promotion

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Nov. 19, 2013

Meet Christian Provancha.

Leon Orr gets into his stance during UF’s 44-11 win against South Carolina on Oct. 20, 2012, in The Swamp.

Sports

Notebook: Orr offers versatility for Gators

By JOE MORGAN< | Nov. 19, 2013

Standing on their last leg, the Gators turned to Leon Orr.

Seattle Seahawks' Percy Harvin (11) returns the ball against the Minnesota Vikings on a kickoff in the first half of his team's 41-20 win Sunday in Seattle.

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Harvin enjoys successful debut with Seattle against former team

By LANDON WATNICK< | Nov. 19, 2013

With Week 11 of the NFL season in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Sports

Injured Murphy remains questionable for Saturday

By JOE MORGAN< | Nov. 18, 2013

Tyler Murphy was frustrated.

Will Muschamp speaks at a press conference following Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Muschamp said he injured his hand punching a chalkboard.

Sports

Muschamp defends undermanned UF

By ADAM PINCUS< | Nov. 17, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Add Will Muschamp to the injury report.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg (17) prepares to hand the ball off during Florida's 19-14 loss to No. 10 South Carolina on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

Sports

Notebook: Mornhinweg limited in first career start

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Nov. 16, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was a storybook setting for Skyler Mornhinweg.

Skyler Mornhinweg walks off the field following an interception late in the fourth quarter of Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Mornhinweg completed 10 of 13 passes for 107 yards while making his first career start for the Gators.

Sports

MUSCHAMP TO FANS: ‘GET A GRIP’ — Gamecocks’ comeback dooms Gators

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Nov. 16, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Down to its third-string quarterback and dealing with injuries to several other critical players, Florida had plenty of reasons to roll over Saturday night against No. 10 South Carolina.