Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Tyler Murphy looks to pass during UF’s loss to LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Oct. 12, 2013. Murphy, who started six games for Florida in 2013, enrolled at Boston College after transferring in December 2013.

Sports

Roper looks to improve quarterbacks

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Jan. 14, 2014

Florida’s list of starting quarterbacks the past four seasons has been a who’s who of wasted talent and missed opportunity.

Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper addresses the media during his introductory press conference on Jan. 13. Four-star quarterback Sheriron Jones, who was recruited by Roper, committed to Florida on Sunday.

Sports

Roper facing high expectations as offensive coordinator

By ADAM PINCUS< | Jan. 13, 2014

Kurt Roper walked into the South End Zone Meeting Room in black slacks, black shoes and a blue Florida Gators jacket. At 41, his glasses and bald head made him look like the cool, yet insightful, college professor.

Sports

Harvin suffers concussion in first game back from injury

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 12, 2014

Injuries continue to plague former Gators receiver Percy Harvin.

Riley Cooper celebrates after catching a 63-yard touchdown pass during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 49-20 victory against the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 3.

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Eagles’ Cooper catches TD pass

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 6, 2014

With the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams this weekend.

Sports

Spring sports look to salvage 2013-14

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Jan. 5, 2014

Gainesville, it’s cold outside.

Marcus Roberson (5) tackles Tigers wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Oct. 12 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

Sports

Roberson to leave Florida, declare for NFL Draft

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 3, 2014

Junior cornerback Marcus Roberson will forego his final season of eligibility at Florida and declare for the 2014 NFL Draft, UF announced Friday afternoon.

Duke offensive coordinator Kurt Roper (middle) participates in the ceremony for the Broyles Award, which recognizes the top NCAA Division 1A Assistant Football Coaches, on Dec. 10 in Little Rock, Ark. Florida announced Roper as its new offensive coordinator on Dec. 26.

Sports

Florida announces new offensive coordinator

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Dec. 26, 2013

Florida announced Duke offensive coordinator Kurt Roper as its new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Thursday morning after firing Brent Pease on Dec. 1.

Sports

Reports: Florida to hire Duke offensive coordinator Roper to same position

By LANDON WATNICK< | Dec. 24, 2013

The Gators may have found their new offensive coordinator.

Will Muschamp watches from the sideline during Florida’s 17-6 loss to LSU on Oct. 12 in Baton Rouge, La.

Sports

Gators football team adds two transfers

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Dec. 18, 2013

After a flurry of transfers, two players joined the Florida football team.

Quarterback Tyler Murphy attempts a pass during Florida’s 23-20 loss to Georgia on Nov. 2 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. UF announced Sunday that Murphy will transfer from Florida and play his final season of eligibility elsewhere.

Sports

Murphy to transfer from Florida

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Dec. 15, 2013

Redshirt junior Tyler Murphy will leave the Florida football program, the school announced Sunday. Murphy, who graduated Saturday but still has a year of eligibility, will seek to play at another program in 2014.

Guard Ian Silberman (77) blocks for quarterback Jeff Driskel against Vanderbilt in 2012. Silberman will transfer from Florida and will play out his final season of eligibility elsewhere next season.

Sports

Updated: Six players set to transfer from Florida football team

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Dec. 12, 2013

Six football players will leave the Gators to seek opportunities with other programs next season, Florida announced Thursday.

Trey Burton reaches to catch a punt during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Oct. 5 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Burton finished the season with one touchdown.

Sports

Burton ends controversial Florida career

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Dec. 3, 2013

No player who has run through the south end zone tunnel in the last four years has generated as much love, hate, hope and dread as No. 8.

Loucheiz Purifoy blocks Florida State junior wide receiver Rashad Greene from an attempted pass during Florida’s 37-7 loss to Florida State on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: GSU celebrates victory against UF

By ADAM PINCUS< | Dec. 2, 2013

Florida had a massive helping of humble pie when it lost to Georgia Southern two weeks ago.

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Haden grabs fourth pick in as many games

By LANDON WATNICK< | Dec. 2, 2013

With Week 13 of the NFL season in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Florida cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy gestures to the crowd during the Gators' 30-10 win against the Razorbacks on Oct. 5 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. With Purifoy leaving for the NFL Draft, the Gators have had to try to fill his role in the recruiting class.

Sports

Notebook: Purifoy leaving Florida after prolific, inconsistent career

By JOE MORGAN< | Dec. 1, 2013

During a weekend of firings, Loucheiz Purifoy is leaving Gainesville voluntarily.

Skyler Mornhinweg is hit while he attempts to throw a pass during Florida’s 37-7 loss to No. 2 Florida State on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The redshirt freshman quarterback completed 20 of 25 passes for 115 yards but could not keep the Gators from suffering their seventh consecutive loss to finish the season.

Sports

OVER AND OUT: ’Noles crush Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Nov. 30, 2013

Florida never stood a chance.

Jameis Winston attempts a pass during Florida’s 37-7 loss to Florida State on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Heisman Trophy candidate torches Florida

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Nov. 30, 2013

Florida’s secondary is supposedly an elite unit.

UF athletics director Jeremy Foley hugs a staffer as he celebrates a touchdown on Oct. 17, 2009. Foley announced his support for coach Will Muschamp before Florida's game against Florida State on Nov. 30, 2013.

Sports

Florida AD Foley discusses Muschamp, future

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Nov. 30, 2013

Seventeen days after coming out in support of coach Will Muschamp, Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley held an impromptu press conference about half an hour before Florida’s game against No. 2 Florida State today at noon.

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.