Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | COLUMNS

alligatorSports Picks Column: Week 1

Sep. 1, 2016

SITE: The Swamp (cap. 88,548)

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh talks with her team following Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

No. 5 Florida to face No. 1 FSU

By Lauren Staff | Sep. 1, 2016

Tonight, the No. 5 Gators (3-1-0) will travel to Tallahassee to take on in-state rival No. 1 Florida State (4-0-0).

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2000, file photo, Florida head coach Steve Spurrier is carried off the field by Mike Pearson (71), Kenyatta Walker (78) and Gerard Warren (61) after the Gators downed Auburn 28-6 in the SEC Championship NCAA college football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Florida is renaming its football field after former coach Steve Spurrier. The university's board of trustees approved the change Thursday, June 9,2016, making it Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: With Spurrier back in The Swamp, UF needs to make statement

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 1, 2016

Steve Spurrier put Florida football on the map.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) hands the ball to running back Mark Thompson (24) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida to use five-player rotation at RB

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 1, 2016

You’d think finding a way to involve five running backs in a game and satisfy each of their carry counts would stress out a coach.

Jim McElwain talks with players during stretches before a fall practice at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONSHIP ASPIRATIONS: In second year, players buying into McElwain’s plan

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 31, 2016

Before there was anything, it was an empty stretch of land.

FILE--In this Nov. 8, 2015, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sits on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Santa Clara, Calif. A northern Nevada airport is getting an earful about a decorative display that, in part, highlights Kaepernick, a treasured product of the University of Nevada's football program who in recent days has been in the spotlight over his decision to sit down during the national anthem. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Kaepernick shows that in sports and social issues, subtlety doesn't exist

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 31, 2016

You’re probably sick of hearing about Colin Kaepernick not standing for the national anthem.

UF forward Savannah Jordan takes a shot on goal during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Jordan leading UF offense heading into bout with No.1 FSU

By Lauren Staff | Aug. 31, 2016

You might think an important in-state soccer showdown against No. 1 Florida State is a game that standout senior forward Savannah Jordan circled on her calendar before the season started.

Players celebrate with nickel back Duke Dawson after Dawson's first interception during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Versatile UF defensive back Dawson: ‘I can play it all’

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 30, 2016

UF defensive back Duke Dawson takes pride in his versatility.

Former NFL quarterback, Tim Tebow finishes his work out for baseball scouts and the media during a showcase on the campus of the University of Southern California, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016 in Los Angeles. The Heisman Trophy winner works out for a big gathering of scouts on USC's campus in an attempt to start a career in a sport he hasn't played regularly since high school. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Don’t quit your day job, Tebow

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 30, 2016

Let me start by saying Tim Tebow was one hell of an athlete.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Former UF receivers score TDs, Bullard earns sack

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 30, 2016

Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand during the anthem overshadowed an even more surprising narrative on the 49ers’ sideline this week: The re-emergence of Jeff Driskel. But setting Driskel aside for a moment, Florida’s receivers, defensive rookies and veterans came through for their teams in Week 3 of the NFL preseason.

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, left, and Blaine Gabbert stand on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won 21-10. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Dear Colin Kaepernick: Stand now, before you’re sitting on the bench

By Ray Boone | Aug. 30, 2016

The NFL regular season is almost here. And with it comes yet another fresh set of controversies.

UF's Eddie Garcia (157) leads the pack during the Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 19, 2015, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida excited about incoming cross country freshmen

By Skyler Lebron | Aug. 30, 2016

Last year, the Florida women’s and men’s cross country teams dominated the competition to open the season at the Covered Bridge Open, finishing first and second, respectively.

UF coach Jim McElwain talks with his team following the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Cleveland, Wells suspended for Florida’s opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 29, 2016

Freshmen receivers Tyrie Cleveland and Rick Wells are suspended for Florida’s season opener against Massachusetts on Saturday, coach Jim McElwain announced on Monday.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) drops back to pass during Florida's Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain, Del Rio confident in offense

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 29, 2016

Jim McElwain slammed his hand on the side of the lectern during his Monday press conference, but he wasn’t angry.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks drops back to pass during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: McElwain wants to get freshman QBs playing time

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 29, 2016

Redshirt sophomore Luke Del Rio is the Gators’ starting quarterback in Saturday’s season opener against UMass. Purdue graduate transfer Austin Appleby is cemented as his backup.

UF's Shainah Joseph swings for a kill attempt against Mississippi State. The sophomore middle blocker recorded seven kills and five blocks as No. 8 seed Florida defeated ninth-seed Illinois in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Ames, Iowa.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gaining experience key for volleyball team early in season

By Alejandro López | Aug. 29, 2016

Florida volleyball coach Mary Wise knew what her team was getting itself into this past weekend.

UF football players run out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

AlligatorSports Roundtable: Who will be the MVP for Florida football in 2016?

Aug. 28, 2016

The Florida football team has playmakers throughout its roster, but will one player stand out from the rest this season? In the second edition of the alligatorSports roundtable, football writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak predict who will be Florida’s Most Valuable Player in 2016.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators top UCLA in overtime to split West Coast weekend

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 28, 2016

After opening the 2016 regular season with two easy-going home wins, Florida’s soccer team faced its first obstacle on Friday night in Palo Alto, California, falling to Stanford in a 1-0 overtime loss.

UF's Carli Snyder (left) and Rhamat Alhassan celebrate during Florida's 3-0 win against New Hampshire Dec. 3, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida beats Oregon 3-1 for first win of the season

By Ray Boone | Aug. 28, 2016

Late into the fourth set, unranked Oregon was pushing No. 10-ranked Florida to the limit.

Right-side hitter Alex Holston swings for a kill during Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida’s attack sputters in loss to No. 1 Nebraska

By Alejandro López | Aug. 27, 2016

It began promisingly enough.