Headed into Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos, the Jacksonville Jaguars were on one of the best runs in franchise history. The Jags had won nine straight regular-season games, the second-longest streak in the organization's 30-year history. But that streak was snapped at Empower Field at Mile High.
A combination of rookies and backups paved the way in a 24-20 road win over New Orleans, in which the Jaguars held the Saints scoreless in the second half, and Jacksonville’s depth pieces continued to shine against the Carolina Panthers.
The Independent Florida Alligator has an extensive history of covering the University of Florida and the greater Gainesville area. But beginning in 2026, the publication is expanding its sports coverage to include an NFL beat covering the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville's defense forced three takeaways and held New England to a season-low 83 rushing yards, while quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for three touchdowns. The Jaguars also rushed for two touchdowns and kept the Patriots out of the end zone all game, allowing just two field goals — one in each half.
After a down week from Jacksonville and a 20-3 win by the Patriots that seems to have righted the ship in New England, the Jaguars (1-1) and Patriots (1-1) face off at EverBank Stadium at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Entering the long-awaited 2026 season opener, head coach Liam Coen made one thing clear: He wanted the Jaguars to be violent and physical. In a dominant 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Jacksonville lived up to that.
In Miami, former Gators cornerback CJ Henderson sat on a white couch surrounded by family awaiting a phone call from one of the NFL’s 32 teams on the first night of the 2020 NFL draft. If his phone rang, the defensive back would be UF’s 53rd first-round pick in school history.
When classless beats class, when dysfunction beats function and when the bully gets bullied, what happens?
The promises are empty, but the stadium is emptier.
1. Gators shunned from award list: Despite boasting one of the nation’s most productive secondaries — the Gators are tied for 14th in the nation with 10 interceptions — no individual Florida player was named a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist. The award is presented annually to college football’s best defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, which announced the 16 semifinalists on Monday. Defensive backs Quincy Wilson, Jalen Tabor and Marcus Maye were left off the list. When asked about the snub, Maye seemed surprised and unconcerned. “It’s whatever,” he said. “I’m just going out and making plays for my team and myself.”
Solutions by The State News
