1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Adriana Leon (91) gets past Nicole Diperna (16) of Florida International University during UF's 3-0 win on Sept. 2. Leon scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Auburn on Sunday at the AU Soccer Complex.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Leon nets overtime winner as Florida defeats Auburn

By LANDON WATNICK | Sep. 16, 2012

Adriana Leon’s first goal in orange and blue was golden.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students gather at UF Hillel to bring in a new year

By Colleen Wright | Sep. 16, 2012

About 150 Jewish students donning orange and blue yarmulke gathered for a candle lighting ceremony to start off Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, at UF Hillel.

On Sunday, the second annual Gainesville Duck Derby was in full swing. It included a 1-mile fun run, games at every tent, a bounce house and a rubber ducky race. Winners could win up to $2,000 if their duck reached the end of the giant waterslide first. The event raised money for organizations such as the Child Advocacy Center for abused children.

METRO

Kids push their limits to help people in need during triathlon

By Katie Campbell | Sep. 16, 2012

Kids4Kids Florida Charities Inc. hosted the Fifth Annual Triathlon and Fun Run, which benefitted Shands Children’s Hospital, Child Advocacy Center and One Room School House. Children ages 4 to 18 could participate in the events, which were held at Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Sorry, not sorry: Speakers threatened by the truth

Sep. 16, 2012

Rick Santorum doesn’t want us on his side — neither as journalists nor as college students.

Gabby Mallette tips the ball over the net against Florida Gulf Coast at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center earlier this season. Despite having only one day to prepare for Kentucky, Mallette and fellow freshman Ziva Recek led Florida to a rare win in Lexington, Ky., on Sunday.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Mature freshmen spark win for Gators volleyball

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 16, 2012

While Kentucky had a week to prepare for Florida, the Gators only had one day to prepare for the Wildcats.

METRO

Downtown festival celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

By Jewel Midelis | Sep. 16, 2012

People danced, savored dishes such as empanadas and celebrated the spirit of the Hispanic culture at the 11th annual Downtown Latino Festival on Saturday at Bo Diddley Community Plaza. About 2,000 people attended the festival, according to David Ruiz, director of the festival.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Supreme Court approves one referendum, postpones another

By Samantha Shavell | Sep. 16, 2012

The UF Supreme Court met Friday and ruled that two referendums passed the necessary technical procedures to be placed on the October elections ballot. However, only one of them was approved to be on the ballot.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Loyalty, honesty don’t always go together

Sep. 16, 2012

The kid who would always tell the teacher if he or she caught you chewing gum or not sharing the Slinky even if you’d been waiting for, like, 20 minutes for your turn knew the rules and wanted to make sure everybody followed them, a believer in a school-sanctioned system of justice.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Unity Fridays begin with step show

By Tatila Brock | Sep. 16, 2012

A step show by six members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council on Friday kicked off the Black Student Union’s Unity Fridays, a recurring event to showcase minority organizations working together.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students read Constitution to celebrate its anniversary

By Natanya Spies | Sep. 16, 2012

Volunteers will read sections of the U.S. Constitution at noon for the 225th anniversary of its signing. The event, UF Reads the Constitution, is sponsored by the Smathers Libraries.

For the past three years, Dr. Terri Bunch worked as a pediatric neurologist at Shands at UF, becoming a beloved member of the hospital staff.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Loved ones remember pediatric neurologist who brought bunches of joy to Shands

By Jenna Hostetler | Sep. 16, 2012

On Sept. 7, Dr. Terri Bunch, a UF pediatric neurologist, died after a three-year battle with breast cancer. She was 65.

METRO

Artists gather at gardens to paint nature scenes

By Ayana Stewart | Sep. 16, 2012

The Worldwide Artist Paint Out was held at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens to raise money for the gardens through art sales.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators plunge into their community

By Cara Chiaramonte | Sep. 16, 2012

More than 300 UF students registered to volunteer around Gainesville as part of the the Center for Leadership and Service’s 13th annual Gator Plunge. Participants didn’t know until they arrived where they’d end up — Alachua Conservation Trust, Kids Count in Alachua County Inc. and Wilmot Gardens were just three of the organizations benefiting from the day’s events.

McDonald’s announced Wednesday it will start to include calorie information on its menus. A Big Mac is 550 calories, and a 10-piece McNuggets is 470 calories, according to the McDonald’s website.

METRO

McDonald’s adds calorie counts to menu

By Webb | Sep. 16, 2012

McDonald’s Corp. announced Wednesday it will begin to include calorie information on restaurant and drive-thru menus nationwide.

Florida linebacker Lerentee McCray (34) sprints with the ball after intercepting a pass from Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray (8) during a 37-20 victory over Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators record two turnovers in win against Volunteers

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 16, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tyler Bray’s throw might have been intended for Zach Rogers, but Lerentee McCray caught the pass.

Running back Trey Burton (8) sprints to the endzone in an 80-yard scamper for UF's second touchdown in its 37-20 victory over Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Burton's long score proves key; Gillislee struggles early, shines late

By ADAM PINCUS | Sep. 16, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With the Gators down a touchdown and looking for a spark, coach Will Muschamp outsmarted himself and put his team in a bind.

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) attempts a pass over the Tenneesee defense during a 37-20 victory against Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Driskel ready to carry Gators

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Sep. 16, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — When Will Muschamp named Jeff Driskel his starting quarterback the Monday after Florida’s season-opening 27-14 win over Bowling Green, his reasoning for doing so seemed obvious.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Trio of Gators advance in tournament

Sep. 15, 2012

Three Gators advanced on the second day at the Bedford Cup, but top-seeded Bob van Overbeek was not one of them. Florida State’s Dominic Controne defeated van Overbeek 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets during the round of 16.

UF head coach Will Muschamp, celebrates after their 37-20 victory against Tennessee on Sept. 15, 2012 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Rally-Gators: Driskel, Gators offense explode in win against Tennessee

By JOE MORGAN | Sep. 15, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Will Muschamp called his team “soft” last November. Throughout the 2011 season, the Gators repeatedly struggled to finish close games.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF cross country sweeps competition in Mountain Dew Invitational

Sep. 15, 2012

Florida gave its visiting teams a rude welcome Saturday afternoon.

El Caimán