Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Rhamat Alhassan jumps up to block the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Florida A&M on Sept. 15, 2017, at the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators prepare for senior day, final stretch of regular season

By Andrew Huang | Nov. 8, 2017

She’s an athlete.

UF forward Haley Lorenzen attempts a jump shot during Florida's 57-53 win against Arkansas on Feb. 9, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Going into final season, Lorenzen ready to school opponents while attending grad school

By Justin Ahlum | Nov. 8, 2017

In her three seasons at UF, Haley Lorenzen has seen improvements in her scoring, developed a three-point shot and been accepted into graduate school, studying in the sports management program.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Bradley Beal’s brawl and more: An early-season report on Gators in the NBA

By Benjamin Brandt | Nov. 7, 2017

Former Florida Gator Bradley Beal’s biggest moment so far this season came with the clock stopped. On Oct. 27, whistles sounded as players and referees charged toward the action underneath the basket.

Samantha Chung will play in her third NCAA Tournament on Friday when the Gators take on South Alabama. But her journey to Florida wasn't without suffering.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Fueled by her family, UF midfielder Samantha Chung thrives

By Morgan McMullen | Nov. 7, 2017

Nobody who had ever seen a soccer match would mistake young Samantha Chung for a great player. She wasn’t even average.

Missouri head coach Barry Odom, right, talks with Florida head coach Randy Shannon, left, before the start of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Three things UF coach Randy Shannon wants to change before South Carolina game

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 7, 2017

As interim coach Randy Shannon ended Florida’s practice Tuesday and walked to the south end zone of UF’s indoor practice facility, he made one request.

New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) runs into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL midseason update: Mike Gillislee, defensive rookies making an impact

By Sam Campisano | Nov. 7, 2017

Nine weeks into the NFL season, several former Gators are having success at the professional level:

Interim coach Randy Shannon announced on Monday that graduate transfer Malik Zaire will start under center for the Gators once again this Saturday when UF travels to Columbia to take on the Gamecocks.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Zaire to start against Gamecocks on Saturday

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 6, 2017

Randy Shannon may not have gotten the offensive output he wanted in his first game as Florida’s interim head coach, but that hasn’t affected his plan at quarterback heading into this weekend’s matchup with South Carolina.

There was no “we just didn’t execute,” from sophomore linebacker David Reese. Instead, as coach Randy Shannon pointed out on Monday, he called out his teammates. “It’s sometimes disappointing when everybody doesn’t want to come together and just play for each other,” Reese said.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: David Reese called out his teammates after a loss. The Gators could use more of that honesty and accountability.

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 6, 2017

Something unusual happened on Saturday after Florida’s train-derailment of a loss in Missouri. For one of the first times I can recall this season, a Florida player looked at the atrocity that is this team right now and was — gasp — honest.

With just five days until their season opener, Florida’s new women’s basketball coach Cameron Newbauer said the Gators are focusing on putting themselves first and getting better each day.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball team heads into 2017-18 with a few new faces

By Justin Ahlum | Nov. 6, 2017

Cameron Newbauer sat courtside, decked out in Gators gear, as he watched his team warm up. With just five days until their season opener, Florida’s new women’s basketball coach said the Gators are focusing on putting themselves first and getting better each day.

The Gators are going up against Washington tonight at 11 p.m. and will face Portland at 9 p.m. on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer secures No. 3 seed in NCAA Tournament

By Mark Stine | Nov. 6, 2017

There was a small eruption inside the Lemerand Athletic Center on Monday afternoon, as Florida’s soccer team learned its fate for the NCAA Tournament.

Florida head coach Randy Shannon argues a call with a referee during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won the game 45-16. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Collapse in Columbia: Gators continue four-game skid

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 5, 2017

One week after the firing of their coach and a demoralizing defeat against No. 1 Georgia, Florida fans waited to see how the Gators would respond. On Saturday against Missouri, UF’s response was so heinous that interim coach Randy Shannon condemned it like a school-wide scandal.

Central Florida head coach Scott Frost watches from the sideline against SMU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Mike Stone)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: If Gators don't finish strong, they risk scaring off potential coaching candidates

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 5, 2017

After Missouri’s 45-16 beatdown of the Gators, there’s a lot of blame to go around on both sides of the ball.

Rhamat Alhassan finished Sunday's match against Tennessee with a total of six blocks, enough to set the Florida record for career blocks.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators sweep Volunteers as Alhassan sets career blocks record

By Andrew Huang | Nov. 5, 2017

Shainah Joseph launched herself upward from the right side of the court. The redshirt senior hung in mid-air, wound up and spiked the ball straight into the middle of Tennessee’s defense. No one on the home team could return it.

UF's Anna Danilina returns a ball during Florida's 6-1 win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators take away four titles from season-ending tournaments

By Mari Faiello | Nov. 5, 2017

When No. 1 seed Anna Danilina was upset by an unranked opponent in her first match of the ITA National Fall Championships, she didn’t give up and go home.

Florida center Kevarrius Hayes attempts to block a shot in Florida's 65-39 win over Virginia in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Orlando.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators thrash Tampa in O’Dome for preseason victory

By Jake Dreilinger | Nov. 5, 2017

Tampa guard Pat Bacon drove to the basket midway through the first half only to have his shot swatted away by a towering Kevarrius Hayes into the hands of Keith Stone.

The Florida women's swimming and diving team defeated FGCU on Saturday 173-125 where UF won 12 of the 16 total events.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Women’s swimming and diving routs FGCU in second win of the season

By River Wells | Nov. 4, 2017

It’s been eight years since the Florida women’s swimming and diving team faced off against FGCU. On Saturday, sophomore Sherridon Dressel and junior Hannah Burns gave it a performance to mull over until the two teams meet again.

Malik Zaire made his first start of the year in place of Feleipe Franks, completing 13 of 19 passes for 158 yards in Saturday's 45-16 loss to Missouri in Columbia.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Gators have nothing to gain from playing Zaire

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 4, 2017

Well folks, that didn’t work.

While Florida’s defensive backs played well early, marked by Henderson’s first quarter interception on a Missouri fade route in the end zone, they also allowed the most passing touchdowns by an opponent since Sept. 30 against Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: UF secondary torched, offense unable to capitalize on big plays in loss to Missouri

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 4, 2017

CJ Henderson was running, chasing Missouri receiver Emanuel Hall down the right sideline.

In his first of the season, UF quarterback Malik Zaire had 158 yards, one interception and no touchdowns in Florida's 45-16 loss to Missouri on Saturday in Columbia, Missouri.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators overpowered, 45-16, at Missouri for fourth straight loss

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 4, 2017

Malik Zaire placed his palms on his helmet and stared at the video board.

UF interim coach Randy Shannon announced Thursday that Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire will start at quarterback for Florida when the Gators play Missouri on Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

With Malik Zaire at quarterback, Florida hoping for offensive jolt at Missouri

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 2, 2017

As Randy Shannon stood in front of a group of reporters on Monday, his first appearance as the interim coach of the Florida football team, he was asked what — if any — changes he will make.