Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida linebacker Michael Taylor blocks an opponent during UF’s 27-14 victory against Bowling Green on Sept. 1, 2012.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Taylor enjoying role increase for Florida defense

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 2, 2013

Linebacker Michael Taylor wears his heart on his sleeve.

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) throws a pass during the second half of FSU's 48-34 win at Boston College on Sept. 28.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Who will win the Florida State-Maryland matchup on Saturday?

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 2, 2013

Each week, two alligatorSports columnists will debate the biggest looming matchup in college football. Today, Adam Pincus and Landon Watnick preview No. 8 Florida State’s home matchup against No. 25 Maryland in Tallahassee on Saturday at noon on ESPN.

Brent Pease walks on the field and watches warm-ups prior to Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Florida’s second-year offensive coordinator took the Gators’ quarterbacks for a nature walk near their hotel prior to the game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Offensive coordinator takes UF quarterbacks on nature walk

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 1, 2013

Several Gators heard their phones buzz and ring on Saturday morning.

Austin Hardin attempts a field goal during Florida’s 24-7 win against Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington, Ky. Hardin has made four of his seven tries this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Replacing Easley tough task

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 1, 2013

Damien Jacobs did not lose just a teammate on the practice field when Dominique Easley was injured on Tuesday.

Dante Fowler Jr. (6) and Ronald Powell (7) celebrate after a play during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday in Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Bullard, Fowler needed to anchor ailing defensive line

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 1, 2013

The old guard is out. The new guard is in.

Junior libero Taylor Unroe waves to the crowd during introductions prior to Florida’s four-set victory against Western Michigan on Sept. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Serving tandem creating headaches for opposing defenses

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Oct. 1, 2013

They will single you out. Pick on you. And then cheer when you fail.

Jillian Graff (21) dribbles past Alabama’s Abby Lutzenkirchen (33) during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Sept. 20 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Graff has one goal this season.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Junior forward producing for Florida despite limited role

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 1, 2013

Jillian Graff has proved that she does not need to be a starter to score.

Freshman Belinda Woolcock (above) beat three competitors in the pre-qualifying rounds to earn herself a spot in qualifying play at the Riviera/Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s All-American tournament in California.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Woolcock knocks off three opponents in ITA All-American tournament pre-qualifying rounds

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Oct. 1, 2013

Florida is off to a hot start at the Riviera/Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s All-American tournament in California.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators men's golf finishes tied for third after final round at Shoal Creek

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Oct. 1, 2013

The odds were the Gators men’s golf team’s favor on the second day of play at the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate on Tuesday at Birmingham, Ala.

Dominique Easley (2) pushes through two opposing players during Florida’s 31-17 win against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Injured defensive tackle plans to enter 2014 NFL Draft

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 30, 2013

Dominique Easley’s career with the Gators is finished.

Tyler Murphy attempts a pass during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Murphy still adjusting to new role

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 30, 2013

Two days after winning his first start for the Gators, Tyler Murphy was talking about First Take.

Jaylen Watkins (14) tackles Kentucky wide receiver Alexander Montgomery during the Gators’ 24-7 victory against the Wildcats on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Watkins becoming versatile member of Florida secondary

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 30, 2013

Coach Will Muschamp called him first-class.

Former Rutgers guard Eli Carter attempts a layup during a 68-65 victory against George Washington University on Dec. 11, 2012.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Rutgers transfer cleared to play for Florida at beginning of 2013 season

By LANDON WATNICK< | Sep. 30, 2013

Rutgers transfer Eli Carter will see the floor for Florida this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Former Florida safety notches six tackles in second start

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Sep. 30, 2013

With Week 4 of the NFL season in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Lauren Silver kicks the ball during Florida’s 2-0 victory against Minnesota on Sept. 13 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Outside backs providing offensive spark for Gators in SEC play

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Sep. 30, 2013

The Gators’ outside backs are fueling their offense in Southeastern Conference play.

Gabby Mallette prepares to hit the ball during Florida’s four-set victory against Western Michigan on Sept. 14 in the O’Connell Center. The sophomore outside hitter totaled 17 kills last weekend.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

High-powered offense propels Gators to weekend sweep

By RJ Schaffer | Sep. 30, 2013

Florida used its powerful offense to make it to the Sweet 16 last season.

Florida swimmers line up to begin the men’s open 400-meter individual medley during the Pinch A Penny All Florida Invitational on Sept. 28 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida wins season-opening meet

By Logan McGuire | Sep. 30, 2013

With the first meet of the season finished, Florida has a grueling schedule ahead.

Freshman runner Carlos Miranda (above) earned his first collegiate victory on Friday at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational in the 5K with a time of 15:17.60.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Miranda solidifies spot with first win

By GORDON STREISAND< | Sep. 30, 2013

The picture is starting to come into focus.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men's golf finishes first day at Shoal Creek in fifth place

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Sep. 30, 2013

Erasing the bad and writing the good is exactly what the Gators men’s golf team did Monday on the first day of the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate in Birmingham, Ala.

Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez competes in the men's open 400 IM at the Pinch a Penny All-Florida Invitation at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Sept. 28, 2013.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida dominates Pinch A Penny All-Florida Invitational for fourth straight season

By Logan McGuire | Sep. 29, 2013

For the fourth consecutive year, the Gators were victorious at the All-Florida Invitational and remain the lone team to win the invitational since Florida began hosting it in 2009.