1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

After a 5-1 record as a starter, Del Rio is fighting to keep his job against redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks and transfer Malik Zaire.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF athletic department should follow Luke Del Rio’s lead and condemn Richard Spencer

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 19, 2017

The University of Florida sat still on Thursday. Classes continued on like normal, but campus felt dead. Or at least, everywhere except its southwest corner. That’s where white nationalist Richard Spencer’s speech attracted attention and sparked confrontations between his small number of supporters and hundreds of protesters. The event was one of the biggest spectacles in recent university memory, with more than half a million dollars spent on security. But if you took a peek at most Twitter accounts associated with UF athletics, you’d have no idea it happened.

Caroline Knop and the Gators volleyball team is looking to put their loss to Kentucky behind them. “We want to be peaking in December and not October, so for us to put that loss behind us will be really important,” Knop said.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball team ready to play Friday at Alabama

By Andrew Huang | Oct. 19, 2017

The No. 4 Gators are looking to rebound from a 3-1 home loss at the hands of then-No. 8 Kentucky on Sunday.

Eight Gators writers pick eight college football games from around the country.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks column bye week: Is Florida’s season already over?

Oct. 19, 2017

The halfway point in the season is upon us, and Florida is already limping to the finish with a 3-3 record. Luckily for the Gators, they have a bye week, giving their fans a chance to have at least one fall Saturday without inevitable disappointment. With a looming matchup against No. 3 Georgia, things are looking bleak for the Gators’ season. But is it time to officially declare Florida’s 2017 campaign is over? That’s for our writers to decide. Before we make our picks for this weekend’s college football games, alligatorSports editor Matt Brannon and assistant editor Dylan Dixon are going to debate whether Florida’s season is already over.

UF coach Gregg Troy encourages his swimmers during Florida’s meet against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators swim and dive teams set to face Indiana, Texas this weekend in O’Connell Center

By River Wells | Oct. 19, 2017

After a 25-day break, the Florida men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will face the Texas Longhorns and the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday and Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

Anna Danilina returns a backhand during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis players in Athens, Georgia, for ITA Southeast Regional Championships

By Mari Faiello | Oct. 19, 2017

After taking two weeks to practice what they learned at the Riviera ITA All-American Championships, Florida’s women’s tennis players traveled to Athens, Georgia, on Thursday for their next tournament. The Gators will play in the ITA Southeast Regional Championships — a competition that includes 17 schools from Florida and Georgia.

UF midfielder Sarah Troccoli scored her first goal of the season against Kentucky on Thursday in Daytona Beach. "It came at a good time because it was nice to go into the locker room with a lead instead of 0-0," coach Becky Burleigh said.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer team beats Kentucky 2-0 in Daytona Beach

By Mark Stine | Oct. 19, 2017

Sarah Troccoli took the ball into the attacking third, cut inside from the left flank and fired a shot 18 yards from goal just before halftime. The junior midfielder’s shot curled over the head of Kentucky goalkeeper Abigail Zoeller and dipped under the bar, giving Troccoli her first goal of the season.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF researchers receive $15 million grant to study heart disease in women

By Heaven Taylor-Wynn | Oct. 19, 2017

The Department of Defense awarded two UF cardiovascular researchers nearly a $15 million grant to study heart disease in women.

METRO

Florida driver’s licenses change design

By Michele Rosalia | Oct. 19, 2017

Jordan Liebman, whose license is about to expire on his upcoming birthday, Nov. 5, will be among the first in Alachua County with a new design on his Florida license.

METRO

Matheson History Museum opens exhibit hall

By Renee Castro | Oct. 19, 2017

Matheson History Museum expanded its library collection to a building across the street.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF assists in major astronomical discovery

By Robert Lewis | Oct. 19, 2017

After helping Nobel Prize in Physics-winning scientists discover gravitational waves, UF’s design helped observe a newly observed gravitational wave.

After losing to No. 5 Kentucky, the Gators will travel to Alabama to play the Crimson Tide and Auburn. “We played the best in the country, or will be, or is one of the best,” coach Mary Wise said of Kentucky following the loss.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators eager to address the problems from their first loss of the season

By Justin Ahlum | Oct. 18, 2017

After losing to No. 5 Kentucky, the Gators knew the Wildcats earned the win. Rachael Kramer, Rhamat Alhassan and Mary Wise all shared similar thoughts following the match.

UF punter Johnny Townsend retweeted a gif praising him for a personal-best 67-yard punt following Florida's 19-17 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Bragging after a loss? Another instance of the Gators’ laughable social media conduct

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 18, 2017

I had a column published last week about Florida’s football players and their questionable social media profiles.

UF defensive lineman Jordan Sherit gets carted off the field during Florida's 19-17 loss to Texas A&M. Coach Jim McElwain confirmed on Wednesday that Sherit underwent season-ending surgery earlier this week.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain confirms Gators defensive end Jordan Sherit is out for the season

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 18, 2017

Jordan Sherit fell to the turf, propped himself up by the elbow and reached for his right hip. When Florida’s trainers arrived, he lied down and tugged at his facemask in pain. He hobbled to the sideline using the trainers as crutches. Finally, he was carted off the field, tightening his face with each movement and giving a thumbs up near the tunnel. But the thumbs up was just sentiment.

UF's Kristen Cardano dribbles during Florida's 2-1 win against Troy in an exhibition match on Aug. 11, 2015, at the soccer practice field at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer team looking to bounce back against Kentucky on Thursday

By Mark Stine | Oct. 18, 2017

What a difference one week made for the UF soccer team.

Becky Burleigh's announced her retirement as UF's head soccer coach after 26 years at the helm

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators move soccer game to Daytona Beach to avoid Richard Spencer event

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 17, 2017

Thursday’s game against Kentucky (7-10, 2-5 SEC), previously scheduled to be played at James G. Pressly Stadium at 6 p.m., has been moved as a result of the expected turnout of both supporters and protesters at the Richard Spencer speaking engagement. The match will now be played in Daytona Beach at Embry-Riddle University's soccer field at 5 p.m. Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said he appreciated all parties involved for understanding.

UF quarterback Feleipe Franks looks to throw the ball during Florida's 19-17 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: 25 things that made me cringe in the Gators’ loss to Texas A&M

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 17, 2017

It’s tough to go into a bye week on a loss. That’s what coach Jim McElwain said after UF dropped its second straight home game to the Aggies, 19-17, on Saturday.

With John Egbunu and Gorjok Gak recovering from injury, Kevarrius Hayes is ready to lead Florida basketball's "thin" front court.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Kevarrius Hayes tasked with leading a ‘thin’ Florida front court

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 17, 2017

When redshirt senior John Egbunu tore his ACL in Florida’s 114-95 win at Auburn last season, Florida men’s basketball coach Mike White turned to Kevarrius Hayes to keep the front court afloat.

New women's basketball coach Cam Newbauer spoke to the media on Tuesday for the second time since he was hired nearly six months ago.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women’s basketball notebook: Gators beginning to sort out roster

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 17, 2017

Just two weeks into his team’s practice schedule, women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer is still unsure of where exactly his players will be on the court, let alone who the starters will be.

Freshman Andy Andrade claimed the singles consolation title on Tuesday at the ITA Regional Championships in Atlanta.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF freshman Andy Andrade claims consolation singles title at ITA Regionals

By Mari Faiello | Oct. 17, 2017

It was a successful day for men’s tennis as they claimed the consolation singles title in Atlanta at the ITA Regional Championships tournament.

Students sit in at the Student Government Student Senate meeting on Tuesday. Although 43 students signed up for public debate, more students filled the chambers to object senators’ silence regarding the lack of funding for the Counseling & Wellness Center and Richard Spencer’s visit to UF on Thursday.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Emotions run high at SG Senate meeting

By Jimena Tavel | Oct. 17, 2017

In a chaotic and emotional Student Senate meeting Tuesday, 43 students signed up for public debate, asking senators to work toward canceling classes Thursday ahead of Richard Spencer’s speech and to increase funding for the Counseling & Wellness Center.

El Caimán