Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Column: Fall in Gainesville means more than just football

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 24, 2016

Fall is here.

Johnny Townsend punts during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

One town, two Townsends: UF’s punting brothers helping each other grow

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 23, 2016

There weren’t many players the Gators leaned on as much as Johnny Townsend last year.

Safety Marcell Harris (26) tackles running back Mark Thompson during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

With time running out, UF defensive back wants to be great

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 23, 2016

The top two safeties in Florida’s 2013 recruiting class have taken strikingly different paths so far in their young careers.

Florida center Cameron Dillard prepares to snap the ball during the 2016 Orange and Blue debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Dillard is among UF's veterans tasked with leading the next generation of offensive linemen.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Veterans looking to patch up Florida’s porous offensive line

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 23, 2016

When Bryan Cox walks up to the left side of the line of scrimmage and squares his 6-foot-3, 269-pound frame toward the quarterback, he has his eyes set on one player: sophomore offensive lineman Fred Johnson.

Former University of Florida teammates, Jacksonville Jaguars' Dante Fowler, left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Vernon Hargreaves, right, pose for a photo after they signed and exchanged jerseys after an NFL preseason football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Hargreaves hauls in two interceptions

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 22, 2016

The NFL preseason is back in session, which means it's time for four weeks of almost-football: the grace period for rookies to get their feet wet and veterans to get back in form for Week 1. Halfway through the preseason, let’s take a look at how Florida’s former Gators are competing at the next level.

UF defensive back Quincy Wilson (6) celebrates after catching an interception in the waning seconds of Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: Tabor isn't only corner to fear on UF's defense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 22, 2016

Last season, Jalen Tabor cast shadows over opposing wide receivers.

Florida defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson participates in a drill during a Spring practice on March 21, 2016, at the Sanders Football Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Defensive lineman balances football with fatherhood

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 22, 2016

There’s meaning behind each of the tattoos that paint CeCe Jefferson’s right arm, and to begin to understand him, you need to understand them.

UF right-side hitter Alex Holston (3) celebrates during Florida's 3-0 win against St. John's on Sept. 17, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball poised for rebound

By Ray Boone | Aug. 22, 2016

It was a rough year for Florida volleyball in 2015.

Florida's Caeleb Dressel reacts after winning the 100-yard freestyle at the NCAA men's swimming and diving championships Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Atlanta. The initials on his face are in honor of a former teacher. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Men’s swimming and diving seeks fifth straight SEC title

By Sean Doty | Aug. 22, 2016

Much of UF’s men’s swimming and diving team’s potential success this season will likely be due to Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel.

UF midfielders Meggie Dougherty Howard (28) and Mayra Pelayo celebrate after Pelayo scores the first goal in Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

UF’s defense stymies Florida Atlantic in shutout

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 22, 2016

One of the biggest uncertainties facing the 2016 Florida soccer team this offseason was how it would fare defensively following the loss of All-American defenders Christen Westphal and Claire Falknor to graduation.

UF coach Mary Wise calls out instructions during Florida's 3-0 win against Auburn on Oct. 11, 2015, in the O'Connell Center. On Friday, Wise earned her 800th win as the coach of the Gators.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Incoming recruits have UF volleyball buzzing

By Alejandro López | Aug. 22, 2016

Roster turnover can stunt a program’s growth.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Breaking down UF’s defense two weeks before opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 21, 2016

With the Florida football team several weeks into preseason camp, alligatorSports Editors Ian Cohen and Ethan Bauer take a look at UF's position groups on defense and special teams and provide analysis from the first few weeks of Fall practice.

Gordon Neale lines up a shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 21 at the Mark Bostick Golf course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators look to continue strong play behind Horsfield, Neale

By Jake Dreilinger | Aug. 21, 2016

The biggest story for the Florida men’s golf team was the emergence of two young talents in sophomores Sam Horsfield and Gordon Neale.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (left) hugs his parents -- dad Jack Del Rio and mom Linda Del Rio -- during Gator Walk prior to the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

After three years of waiting, Del Rio earns starting gig

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 21, 2016

Luke Del Rio was destined to start at quarterback for Jim McElwain.

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

Florida’s offense impresses in season opening win

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 20, 2016

Florida’s soccer team sported one of the nation’s top offensive attacks in 2015, averaging 2.54 goals per game to rank seventh best in the nation.

Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio throws a pass during a Spring practice on March 16, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Fields.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators name Del Rio starting quarterback

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 18, 2016

After two weeks of preseason camp, Florida has named its starting quarterback.

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh puts her arm around defender Rachelle Smith (81) following Florida's 3-2 win against Florida Sate on Aug. 30, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Season preview: After tourney loss, UF soccer primed for big year

By Lauren Staff | Aug. 17, 2016

As time expired at Dizney Stadium, UF coach Becky Burleigh watched her team, the 2015 Southeastern Conference Tournament champs, fall to Duke University in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament Championship.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: To future Florida parents: Hope and pray your children are never assaulted by a football player

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 17, 2016

It’s 3 a.m. and your phone rings. Struggling to shake the crust from your eyes, you wonder who it could be. And then it smacks you like cold water to the face.

UF cornerback Jalen Tabor participates in Spring practice on March 11, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Facility.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Tabor, Lewis suspended for season opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 17, 2016

Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor and tight end C’yontai Lewis have been suspended from the team and will miss UF's season opener on Sept. 3, Florida announced on Wednesday.

Luke Del Rio fields questions during Florida's Media Day on August 3. The spotlight is on Del Rio, the son of Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, to win the starting quarterback job at Florida.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Uncertainty under center: Del Rio, Appleby fighting for starting job

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 16, 2016

The biggest difference was the weather.