sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida Gators running back Ja'Kobi Jackson (24) rushes the ball during the second half half at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 05, 2024.

Sports

Florida position preview: running backs

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 26

A preview of the Florida Gators' running back room heading into the 2025 season opener.

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

Sports

Gators volleyball rebounds, splits matches at the AVCA First Serve Tournament

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 25

Florida volleyball split its matches in its first weekend of competition under head coach Ryan Theis.

Florida defensive player Avery Upton (6) runs with the ball during a soccer match against the University of North Florida on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators soccer trounces North Florida in shutout match

By Adrian Carmona | Aug. 24

“I’m excited about a shutout,” Gators head coach Samantha Bohon said. “I think that’s something that’s really important to us.”

UF Football Coach Billy Napier looks on as Quarterback DJ Lagway passes the ball during a spring practice session.

Sports

Florida’s true freshmen make major noise as 2025 season nears

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 24

The start of the college football season looms, but the Florida Gators’ grind began in the spring. Months before any results were shown on the field, UF head coach Billy Napier and his staff have been laying the foundation for the program’s future.

Florida Gators setter Alexis Stucky (5) sets the ball during the team’s 3-0 sweep over the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

Sports

Florida wins five-set thriller against Pitt

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 24

Florida volleyball edged out Pittsburgh in its first ever win under head coach Ryan Theis.

The Florida volleyball team during pre-match introductions Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

Sports

Florida volleyball falls short against Stanford in season opener

By Isis Snow | Aug. 23

Florida volleyball and first-year head coach Ryan Theis lost in their debut matchup of the 2025 season.

Sophomore defender Madison Young during Florida's match with Arkansas Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

Sports

Katie Johnston scores twice, Gators prevail in home opener

By Adrian Carmona | Aug. 22

Florida soccer logged its first win at Donald R. Dizney Stadium to kick off the 2025 season.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier patrols the field during pregame warmups at Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

Sports

'We’re on a mission': Billy Napier emphasizes championship culture through defense

By Luke Adragna and Max Bernstein | Aug. 21

Florida Gators football coach Billy Napier has made it a goal throughout training camp to become one of the best defenses in the country — something he says has been missing since the beginning of his tenure.

Florida catcher Luke Heyman walks off the field after losing their first College World Series game to Texas A&M on Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Sports

New transfers, familiar faces join Florida baseball as season approaches

By Adrian Carmona | Aug. 20

After several of last year’s key players left the team for the 2025 MLB Draft, the Gators had a number of positional holes to fill.

Sophomore libero Emily Canaan dives to set the ball in the Gators' 3-0 win against the LSU Tigers on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.

Sports

Florida volleyball approaches landmark 2025-26 season

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 19

UF head coach Ryan Theis is set to fill Mary Wise’s shoes and take over Florida’s program, which is ranked No. 16 in the AVCA Division I Women's Volleyball Poll.

Florida Gators offensive lineman Austin Barber (58) and Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) after the Gators defeated the Wildcats at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

Sports

Jake Slaughter, Austin Barber among eight Coaches All-SEC choices

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 19

Eight members of the Florida football team were named to the 2025 Coaches Preseason All-SEC Team.

Although the Gators have many rivals, few have left the Swamp alive…

Sports

UF’s essential enemies: Teams you’re obligated to boo

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 19

You're in The Swamp. This is college football in the SEC, where rivalries are the backbone of collegiate sports culture, and school colors course through loyal fans’ veins like blood.

Florida fans line up outside of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for Gator Walk Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. The game welcomed the largest season-opener crowd in UF history as 90,799 fans filled the stands.

Sports

An ear inside the student section that won’t back down

By Ava DiCecca | Aug. 19

Beaming with school pride, Gators football unites students, alumni and Gainesville locals in orange and blue. The university’s chants set the tone and bring raucous energy to the stadium each year.

Florida senior Taylor Baksay competes during a Sept. 23 game against Vanderbilt.

Sports

Florida soccer shut out in season opener against No. 3 Florida State

By Adrian Carmona | Aug. 14

Florida soccer was shut out in its season opener against the Florida State Seminoles.

UF football spring game on Saturday, April 12th, 2025.

Sports

Florida football training camp: Who’s emerging as season nears

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 13

Florida football is deep into training camp, and several standouts are making their case for playing time ahead of the 2025 season.

The Florida Gators' offensive line gets set against the LSU Tigers' defensive line in the Gators' 45-35 loss to the Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

Sports

Jake Slaughter earns preseason All-America honors from ESPN

By Luke Adragna | Aug. 11

Florida fifth-year center Jake Slaughter earned more preseason recognition and was named to ESPN's All-America list.

Florida head coach Billy Napier greeting fans during Gator Walk Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

Sports

Gators football cracks preseason AP Top 25 poll

By Luke Adragna | Aug. 11

The Associated Press released its preseason AP Top 25 poll Monday.

Florida track and field runner Robert Gregory (left) poses with his bronze medal alongside Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles. Photo courtesy of Johnny Zhang of CITIUS Mag.

Sports

Gators show out at USATF Championships, punch tickets to Tokyo

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Aug. 6

Several former Florida stars, as well as professionals that now train in Gainesville, added national medals to their trophy cases and U.S. kits to their closets at the USATF Outdoor Championships over the weekend.

Dallas Wilson dodges a tackler during the Gators' Orange and Blue game on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications

Sports

Dallas Wilson sidelined during training camp with lower leg injury

By Luke Adragna | Aug. 6

Gators incoming freshman Dallas Wilson suffered a lower leg injury during Florida's fall training camp.

A closer look at Florida’s quarterback room: Evaluating the competition for the backup role behind DJ Lagway.

Sports

DJ Lagway’s right-hand man: Previewing Florida’s backup quarterback options

By Luke Adragna | Aug. 5

Florida's backup quarterbacks continue to battle it out throughout fall camp to fight for the No. 2 spot behind uncontested starter DJ Lagway.