Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida graduate student JanMagnus Johnson rips a backhand in the Gators’ 7-0 win against The Citadel on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida dominates doubles Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southeast Regionals, secure spot in NCAA Championships

By Carston Handy | Oct. 20

Several Florida Gators made deep runs at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southeast Regional Championships, held at the University of Georgia in Athens over the past five days. Fourteen schools from Florida and Georgia competed for NCAA tournament qualification.

Senior outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick hits the ball in the Gators' 3-0 loss against the Auburn Tigers on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

SPORTS | BLOGS

AC Fitzpatrick shines in Florida’s sweep against LSU

By Shaine Davison | Oct. 20

Florida volleyball claimed the first three sets of its match against LSU to sweep the Tigers in the Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) and Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) celebrate after the teams 48-20 win at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 19, 2024

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

True freshmen Jadan Baugh and DJ Lagway lead Florida to commanding win over Kentucky

By Jack Meyer | Oct. 20

In a potentially make-or-break primetime contest against Kentucky on Saturday night, true freshmen DJ Lagway and Jadan Baugh combined for over 350 yards of total offense to power the Florida Gators to a much-needed momentum boosting win.

During the Florida Gators Football game vs the Samford Bulldogs on 09/07/2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs. Kentucky: Live Updates

By Max Tucker | Oct. 19

The Florida Gators football team will be taking on the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for approximately 7:45 p.m. Follow along right here for live updates.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Gators cross country closes out regular season strong in Wisconsin

By Rae Weinstein | Oct. 19

After being unable to compete in the FSU XC Invite on Oct. 11 due to Hurricane Milton, the Florida Gators cross country team traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, on Saturday to compete in the third and final meet of the regular season.

Florida Gators Defender Madison Young (21) takes a shot during the first half at Ronald R. Dizney Stadium on Friday, October 18, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida’s offense stagnant in home loss to Vanderbilt

Oct. 18

Florida (4-5-6, 1-4-2 SEC) lost its fourth match of SEC play 2-0 against Vanderbilt (8-2-5, 3-2-3 SEC) to open UF’s Homecoming Weekend at Donald R. Dizney Stadium Friday.

The SEC announced Monday it's delaying the start of men's and women's swimming and diving until October.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida swim and dive splits its season-opening meet

By Jackson Colding | Oct. 18

The No. 3 Florida Gators swim and dive team opened its season with a tall task of taking on the No. 1 women’s and No. 14 men’s squads in the nation after having its first two meets of the season canceled.

Senior guard Aliyah Matharu shoots a jumpshot in the Gators' 83-69 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Aliyah Matharu, Florida's reigning leading scorer, enters transfer portal

By Jack Meyer | Oct. 15

With less than three weeks to go before Florida women’s basketball is set to kick off its new season, the team suffered a major blow last night, as reigning leading scorer Aliyah Matharu has reportedly entered the transfer portal.

Florida head coach Todd Golden watches his team from the sideline during the Gators' 69-68 loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Thursday, March 9, 2023.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Gators basketball ranked No. 21 in preseason AP Top 25

By Luke Adragna | Oct. 14

Florida basketball ranked No. 21 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll released Monday morning. The Gators’ ranking represents another significant milestone under head coach Todd Golden.

Gator quarterback Graham Mertz talks to a Florida coach before the game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz expected to miss remainder of 2024 season

By Jack Meyer | Oct. 14

Florida’s starting redshirt senior quarterback Graham Mertz is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season following a knee injury he sustained in the team’s loss to No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday, according to CBS Sports and 247 Sports.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks for an open receiver during the first half at Shields–Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Questions continue to loom following Florida’s overtime loss to No. 11 Tennessee

By Chandler Hawkes | Oct. 14

The Florida Gators football team left much to be desired after a wire-to-wire overtime loss to No. 11 Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday. Nevertheless, the path to bowl eligibility seems viable for the Gators. But their fate could fall in the hands of true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway moving forward.

Florida midfielder Josie Hahn (15) looks for an open teammate during the Gators’ game against Old Dominion on March 23, 2024.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Florida lacrosse set for conference realignment as expectations remain high

By Jackson Colding | Oct. 14

The Florida Gators lacrosse team is keeping the same high expectations it has going into every season, however, a new challenge awaits as UF will be switching to the Big 12 in 2025.

The Florida soccer team huddles pregame before its match with the Arkansas Razorbacks Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida draws following intense matchup against Georgia on senior night

By Amanda Roman | Oct. 13

It was an intense rivalry matchup between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs, and neither team could seem to put the ball away in the deciding moments of the contest. Florida (4-4-6, 1-3-2 SEC) tied its second match of SEC play against Georgia (6-4-5, 2-2-3 SEC) on senior night at Donald R. Dizney Stadium Sunday.

Freshman outside hitter Kennedy Martin spikes the ball in the Gators' 3-0 win against the Winthrop Eagles Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

SPORTS | BLOGS

South Carolina sweeps No. 19 Florida in upset at O’Connell Center

By Shaine Davison | Oct. 13

South Carolina upset Florida volleyball in a stunning match on Sunday, as the Gators were swept in a 3-0 loss on the afternoon.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida goes down to the wire, runs out of gas in overtime loss to No. 8 Tennessee

By Jack Meyer | Oct. 13

The Florida Gators were mere plays away from coming out of Knoxville with a victory for the ages against No. 8 Tennessee. Instead, UF couldn’t hang on in a 23-17 overtime loss following multiple costly miscues throughout the night.

The Florida Gators Football team celebrates a touchdown during the first half at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 05, 2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs Tennessee: Live Updates

By Jack Meyer and Max Tucker | Oct. 12

Follow along here for live updates of today's matchup between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers

Junior running back Montrell Johnson Jr. runs toward the end zone in the Gators' 29-16 win against the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Three keys to success for Gators against No. 8 Vols

Oct. 12

The Florida football program has seemingly had Tennessee’s number since the turn of century. However, Saturday’s game between the Gators and the Volunteers offers a different narrative than the numerous times UF has been favored heading into Knoxville.

Freshman setter Alexis Stucky serves against Virginia Aug. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida defeats Mississippi State in momentum-changing match

By Shaine Davison | Oct. 11

Florida beat Mississippi State on Friday night in front of an ever-energetic Stephen C. O’Connell Center crowd.

Redshirt junior center Kingsley Eguakun hikes the ball to redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz in the Gators' 29-16 win against the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Know Your Enemy: Tennessee Volunteers

By Max Tucker | Oct. 11

The Florida Gators football team is on the road this week for a matchup against No. 8 Tennessee in Knoxville, where the Volunteers narrowly defeated the Gators 38-33 in their last meeting at Neyland Stadium in 2022. Following its second consecutive victory, the Gators are carrying a bit of momentum into Rocky Top, whereas the Vols will be seeking to bounce back from an unexpected upset loss on the road Saturday to unranked Arkansas.

University of Florida soccer player Lena Bailey (29) chases down the ball from University of Central Florida’s Taylor Jacobson (2) in Gainesville, Florida, on Aug. 24, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida allows two late goals in road loss to South Carolina

By Amanda Roman | Oct. 10

Despite an encouraging victory against No. 22 Texas Friday, the Florida soccer team lost its third SEC match this season on the road against No. 23 South Carolina Thursday..