Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger passes during LSU's 35-21 win against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., on Sept. 21.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

LSU poses challenge to stout UF defense

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 7, 2013

Florida will face an explosive offense against LSU on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (right) tackles Cincinnati Bengals A.J. Green during an NFL football game in Cleveland

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Haden impressing as lockdown cornerback

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Oct. 7, 2013

With Week 5 of the NFL season in the books, we take a look at a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Pamela Begic lies on the ground during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Auburn on Sunday at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Begic injury status remains uncertain

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 7, 2013

Pamela Begic’s status is still unknown.

Chloe Mann jumps to spike the ball during Florida’s four-set victory against Western Michigan in the O’Connell Center on Sept. 14

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Senior middle blocker pacing potent Florida offensive attack

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Oct. 7, 2013

Chloe Mann’s name has been inked in the NCAA’s record books since her sophomore campaign.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnast to have skill named after her

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Oct. 7, 2013

Silvia Colussi-Pelaez has been a Gator for fewer than two months, but she is already making world history.

Florida coach Mary Wise claps during a 3-0 win against FIU on Aug. 24, 2012 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators sweep Crimson Tide to complete historic weekend

By RJ Schaffer | Oct. 6, 2013

Mary Wise put an exclamation mark on her career Friday night by notching her 700th victory as Florida’s coach by beating Texas A&M.

Florida wide receiver Solomon Patton celebrates after a touchdown during the Gators' 30-10 win against the Razorbacks on Saturday night in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Florida should try Patton at slot receiver

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 6, 2013

Will Muschamp lingered in the South End Zone meeting room as Solomon Patton strolled in just minutes removed from a stellar night in The Swamp.

Pamela Begic dribbles the ball during Florida’s 2-1 loss against South Carolina on Friday at James G. Pressly Stadium. Begic left Sunday’s game due to an unspecified injury.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Begic boosts Florida before leaving match due to injury

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 6, 2013

Pamela Begic took a hard fall while looking to capitalize on a set piece for Florida and recover from a loss to South Carolina on Friday night.

Freshman Brianna Morgan hits a backhand to return a ball during a match against Tennessee on March 17.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Gators women's tennis leaves ITA All-American Championships empty-handed

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Oct. 6, 2013

History did not repeat itself for the Florida women’s tennis team this year.

Loucheiz Purifoy returns an interception 42 yards for a touchdown during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida forced two turnovers during the game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior cornerback sparks Gators with first interception

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 5, 2013

Don’t be careless with the football when Loucheiz Purifoy is coming after you.

Austin Hardin (16) and sophomore holder Kyle Crofoot (43) scramble for the football after a blocked kick during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Center ejected in third quarter

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Oct. 5, 2013

Jon Harrison was ejected against Arkansas on Saturday night, but the reason remains unclear.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Murphy completed 16 of 22 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

RAZOR SHARP: Murphy goes hog wild in win

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 5, 2013

In the first night game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in nearly two years, Tyler Murphy shut out the lights.

Savannah Jordan battles for the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Sept. 20 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida falls at home to South Carolina 2-1 in double overtime

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 4, 2013

The set piece is Florida's worst enemy.

Ziva Recek reaches for the ball during Florida’s four-set victory against Western Michigan on Sept. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Wise earns win No. 700 as Gators romp Aggies

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Oct. 4, 2013

Last year in College Station, Ziva Recek hit .170 as Florida snuck past Texas A&M in five sets.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Man down, Murphy up: Redshirt junior making most of first opportunity

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 3, 2013

Jeff Driskel lines up in the shotgun.

Jon Harrison prepares to snap the ball during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Behind the Gators’ dominant offensive line, running back Matt Jones rushed for a career-high 176 yards against the Wildcats. Florida will face a talented Arkansas defense on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Powerful offensive line paving way for Gators

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 3, 2013

A 67-yard run takes more than a running back hitting the hole.

Washington quarterback Keith Price passes in the rain during the first half of UW's 31-13 win against Arizona on Saturday in Seattle.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: Arkansas

Oct. 3, 2013

The U.S. government may be shut down, but we here at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column are still going strong. Unlike Congress, we don’t act like a bunch of petulant children when we disagree on issues — like picking college football games against the spread!

Scottie Wilbekin dribbles the ball during Florida’s 66-45 win against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 18 in the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Florida begins its season against North Florida on Nov. 8.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilbekin to rejoin Florida in practice

By LANDON WATNICK< | Oct. 3, 2013

Scottie Wilbekin is working his way back into coach Billy Donovan’s good graces.

Savannah Jordan (left) battles for the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Sept. 20.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Freshman hoping to help Gators rebound

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 3, 2013

After a 1-0 loss to Missouri on Sunday, Savannah Jordan just wants to focus on the rest of the schedule.

Sophomore Madison Monserez (11) attempts a pass during UF’s 3-0 win against FIU on Aug. 24, 2012, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball preparing for new-look Aggies

By RJ Schaffer | Oct. 3, 2013

When Florida traveled to College Station, Texas, last year, it needed to a comeback from a 2-0 hole to beat Texas A&M.