Billy Napier began his head coaching career less than 100 miles from LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Now he’ll host the Tigers in Gainesville, Florida, as the head man for the Gators.
The Gators battled in North Carolina for the ITA All-American Championship, but they fail to make any significant noise deep into the tournament.
Five Gators — Braswell, Nirundorn, Tokac, junior Will Grant and senior Lukas Greif — held spots in the pre-qualifying round, while sophomore Nate Bonetto was placed in qualifying and graduate transfer Axel Nefve automatically advanced to the main draw. The team had three duos — Bonetto/Greif, Grant/Nefve and Nirundorn/Tokac — compete in the doubles qualifying draw.
On a day when the Florida offense came out sluggish in the first half, the performance of Jaydon Hill and Ventrell Miller are what will be remembered. The Gators defeated the Missouri Tigers Oct. 8 behind Hill's first two career interceptions and Miller's most tackles in a game this season.
Tessa Barton and Josie Curtis found a new home in Gators soccer. The two players committed to play for former Coach Tony Amato, but after just one season in charge, he was let go from UF. Barton and Curtis did not waver and have found new roles under new Head Coach Samantha Bohon.
For a moment Sunday afternoon, it seemed the Louisiana State Tigers had solved the riddle of the Florida Gators. Down two sets to none, the Tigers stormed back to force a winner-take-all fifth set. The No. 15 Gators claimed the 15-point finale to win their second game of the weekend (25-18, 26-24, 25-27, 21-25, 15-9) against LSU.
UF was determined to snap its worst losing streak in program history. However, a Tigers’ penalty kick goal in the 66th minute was more than enough to shatter Florida’s dream. The Gators extended their skid to eight after falling 3-2 to Mizzou Sunday. With the loss, Florida has now dropped eight matches by a one-goal deficit this season.
The Florida faithful still packed the house to the tune of 3,584 to watch their No. 15 Gators defeat the Louisiana State Tigers three sets to one (25-18, 23-25, 25-19, 27-25) Saturday evening. Head coach Mary Wise said it’s the first home match played on a homecoming Saturday in at least 33 years.
The Gators defeated Mizzou 24-17 in the Swamp Saturday afternoon. Florida’s defense came up huge, as head coach Billy Napier’s offense bloomed late in the game. The Gators’ offense picked up 232 of their 297 total yards in the second half.
The Gators will look to break its six-game SEC losing streak when it hosts the Tigers Saturday afternoon. It’s also homecoming weekend in the Swamp, further adding to the festivities of Saturday’s game.
Before either Florida or Missouri claims its first Southeastern Conference win of the season, the Alligator's sports editor Joseph Henry connected with sports editor of the Maneater — the University of Missouri's independent news publication — Brandon Haynes to discuss the eastern division clash.
The Florida men's golf team competed in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday and Tuesday. The Gators were led by senior Fred Biondi's final round 6-under-par 64. The team finished tied for ninth.
The Florida women’s golf team shot its best round to finish the Windy City Classic on Tuesday at Exmoor Country Club. Senior Annabell Fuller recorded her third straight top-15 finish of the fall.
The Gators were shut out for the fourth straight match after a 1-0 defeat to the No. 9 Razorbacks Thursday night. The loss pushes UF’s losing streak seven matches, the longest in school history.
After a 10 day hiatus, No.15 Florida defeated the Tennessee Volunteers three sets to one at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee, Wednesday (26-24, 25-23, 16-25, 25-20).
Florida defeated EWU 52-17 Sunday afternoon inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators looked dominant in each phase of the game on the way to their largest margin of victory this season. Offensively it was a balanced attack; UF complimented 392 passing yards with 274 yards on the ground.
Florida has an opportunity to move above .500 and showcase its peak form Sunday against Eastern Washington. The responsibility falls on the Gators to seize it.
The Gators lost Thursday night’s match to No. 22 South Carolina Gamecocks 1-0. UF junior goalkeeper Alexa Goldberg recorded seven saves, but it was not enough to avoid defeat. Florida has now been shutout in three straight matches.
Florida had four players represent the team at the Commodore Invitational in Nashville — Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranked No. 91 Nate Bonetto, Will Grant, Lukas Greif and No. 34 Axel Nefve — each competing in singles and doubles play.
Florida announced Saturday’s football game against the Eastern Washington Eagles is postponed to Sunday at noon due to Hurricane Ian. The move comes after UF canceled classes Wednesday through Friday this week due to the storm.
Solutions by The State News
