Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Mayra Pelayo controls the ball with a defender behind her during Florida's 2-1 win against Syracuse on Aug. 27, 2017, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer shutout for first time this season, drops to Washington

By Morgan McMullen | Sep. 2, 2017

Washington forward Kimberly Keever patiently waited on the near sideline in the Gators’ half of the field, holding the ball over her head, directing traffic to get her teammate in space for a throw-in. She hurled it a solid 20 yards, then watched as the ball bounced another 10 until it came within striking distance for fellow senior Shannon Simon.

Eddy Pineiro kicks off during UF's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Best foot forward: UF kicker Eddy Pineiro using football to give his family a comfortable life

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 31, 2017

Eddy Pineiro and his parents throw money out the window.

UF quarterback Feleipe Franks warms up prior to Florida's 30-3 win against Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Feleipe Franks set to start first game at QB Saturday

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 31, 2017

Michigan, Gators fans and the rest of the college football world no longer have to wonder who Florida’s starting quarterback will be on Saturday.

Florida hasn't lost its season opener in 27 years, the longest current streak in the FBS.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

First game features barrage of storylines

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 31, 2017

This ain’t UMass. This ain’t Bowling Green. This ain’t Charleston Southern or Western Kentucky or any of the other punching bags Florida has opened the season against in the past decade. This is Michigan, the Big Blue, from the Big Ten, which historically has produced some of football’s biggest and best players.

Matt Brannon, Dylan Dixon, Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Graham Hall, Nick de la Torre, Edgar Thompson and Thomas Goldkamp pick the winners of eight college football games.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

alligatorSports Picks Column: Week 1

Aug. 31, 2017

Jim McElwain is under a lot of pressure at the beginning of his third season. He has to deal with the pressure of starting quarterback Feleipe Franks, a redshirt freshman who’s never thrown a pass in a college football game. He also has to deal with the pressure of going up against Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines without his star running back, Jordan Scarlett, and star receiver, Antonio Callaway, who have been suspended for disciplinary issues.

Jim McElwain and the Gators have nothing to lose this Saturday with running back Jordan Scarlett and nine other players suspended against Michigan.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: No matter the outcome, Michigan game is a win-win for the Gators

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 31, 2017

Jim McElwain was asked a question on Wednesday that I found to be enlightening.

Lily, the daughter of tormented Gator fan Daniel Stone, offers an uncomfortable expression while wearing Michigan apparel.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Guest column: Bullied Gator fan from Michigan in need of rescue

By Daniel Stone | Aug. 31, 2017

Dear Coach McElwain and Gators football team,

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 going to Seattle to face Washington, Portland

By Mark Stine | Aug. 31, 2017

The Florida soccer team is taking its new No. 2 ranking to Seattle this weekend to play in the Husky/Nike Invitational.

Senior middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill during Florida's 3-0 win against Georgia Southern on Aug. 29 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball set to play SEC-ACC Challenge in Puerto Rico

By Justin Ahlum | Aug. 31, 2017

Rachael Kramer stood in front of reporters on Wednesday coming off Florida’s strong start to the season. Despite winning multiple honors this week, including the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Week, she remained modest by crediting her teammates.

Feleipe Franks stands under center during UF's Orange and Blue Debut on April 7, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: How starting Feleipe Franks at QB affects the Michigan game and fight against ISIS

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 31, 2017

Florida football coach Jim McElwain made an announcement Wednesday that the entire Gators fan base has been patiently waiting for.

Gorjok Gak (right) is competing for Australia in the World University Games in Taipei. Through eight games, the rising sophomore averaged 11.1 points a game.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators Gak, Koulechov close World University Games with impressive showings

By Skyler Lebron | Aug. 30, 2017

Throughout the 2016-17 Florida men’s basketball regular season, freshman center Gorjok Gak averaged just 5.3 minutes per contest. He saw more than five minutes of action just twice in the regular season, relegated to the bench as he developed strength and coordination.

UF coach Mary Wise talks with her players during Florida's 3-1 win over Marshall on Sept. 17, 2016, in the Lemerand Athletic Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball team looking to avoid complacency, tackle season together

By Andrew Huang | Aug. 30, 2017

After an opening weekend that featured a pair of top-5 upsets at the hands of the Florida volleyball team, the No. 3 Gators insist that they’re still hungry for more.

Feleipe Franks was named Florida's starting quarterback on Wednesday. The redshirt freshman will play in his first career game on Saturday against Michigan.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Feleipe Franks wins starting job; Jordan Scarlett suspended indefinitely

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 30, 2017

Michigan, Gators fans and the rest of the college football world no longer have to wonder who Florida’s starting quarterback will be on Saturday.

Tyrie Cleveland (89) runs toward the end zone during Florida's 40-14 win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

WR Cleveland’s family hit by Houston storm

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 29, 2017

Tyrie Cleveland tries to block it out.

Receiver Dre Massey participates in Florida's 2016 Spring practice at the Sanders Practice Fields.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

A year after he tore his ACL, receiver Dre Massey prepares for return

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 29, 2017

Dre Massey’s screen saver tells a story. So did the brace he wore on his knee all spring. It’s one of tragedy and determination, of heartbreak and resilience, and it’s one Massey hopes ends in triumph.

Hurricane Harvey has left Houston and the surrounding areas flooded. Rescue boats are out trying to help people and animals get to safer and dryer land.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: In the midst of Harvey devastation, Astros make it all about them

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 29, 2017

The city of Houston is hurting right now. It’s hurting pretty bad.

Gabby Seiler (38) celebrates with teammates during Florida's 3-2 win over UCF on Sept. 18 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gabby Seiler carries Florida soccer team to No. 2 ranking

By Morgan McMullen | Aug. 29, 2017

Gabby Seiler knows how to be versatile.

With the loss of Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone to the NFL, Florida will have to rely on some new faces at the linebacker position this fall.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

2017 Florida Gators Position Previews: Linebacker

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 29, 2017

Less than one week remains until Florida kicks off the 2017 regular season against Michigan at AT&T Stadium. The Gators enter this year as back-to-back SEC East champions, notching 13 conference wins under coach Jim McElwain since he took over the program in 2015. As always, UF’s success on the gridiron this fall will largely depend on its roster, a group of players featuring both seasoned veterans and unestablished newcomers. Here is the position preview for players set to play running back at Florida this year:

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh refuses to release his roster for the 2017 season. That level of paranoia makes him a perfect fit for the U.S. military.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: McElwain, Harbaugh should be put in charge of U.S. nuclear arsenal

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 28, 2017

Florida’s Jim McElwain, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and a bouquet of other college football coaches are wasting their time drawing up plays to move a ball up and down a rectangle. No, based on how much paranoia, control and secrecy they like to involve in such an arbitrary task, it’s clear they belong somewhere else: the U.S. military.

Florida players celebrate during UF's 2-1 win against Syracuse on Sunday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Seiler, Espinoza step up for Gators in Week 2

By Mark Stine | Aug. 28, 2017

Courtney Brosnan guessed wrong.