Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Solomon Patton scores a touchdown during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Patton is Florida’s leading receiver in 2013.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Patton emerging as playmaker in final season with Gators

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 25, 2013

Solomon Patton did not play much his first three seasons.

Offensive lineman Jon Halapio blocks during Florida’s 27-20 win against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators offensive line healthy after numerous injuries to begin ‘13

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 25, 2013

Nearly a month into the season, No. 20 Florida will finally have its full complement of offensive linemen.

Tyler Murphy took over at quarterback for the injured Jeff Driskel and completed 8 of his 14 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown Saturday against Tennessee.

SPORTS | BLOGS FOOTBALL

Driskel injury changes quarterback timeline

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 25, 2013

With Tyler Murphy establishing himself as a player who can hold his own in the pocket, the Gators could be looking at an overcrowded backfield soon.

Dominique Easley forces a fumble during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Easley is out for the season after suffering tears to the ACL and meniscus in his right knee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Easley out for season after suffering tears to ACL, meniscus

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 25, 2013

No. 20 Florida will be without another top playmaker for the rest of this season.

Matt Jones fumbles during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Coach Will Muschamp plans to split carries between Jones and Mack Brown moving forward this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida to feature Jones and Brown at tailback position

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 24, 2013

After missing Florida’s season opener against Toledo on Aug. 31 due to a viral infection, Matt Jones was expected to boost Florida’s running game to the next level upon his return.

Second-year offensive coordinator Brent Pease speaks with coach Will Muschamp during warm-ups prior to Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Driskel still helping Gators

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 24, 2013

Jeff Driskel will undergo season-ending surgery today to repair a fractured fibula in his lower right leg.

Tyler Murphy throws a pass during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Chants of “Ty-ler Mur-phy! Ty-ler Mur-phy! Ty-ler Mur-phy!” rippled through the student section as quarterback Tyler Murphy had the Gators in the victory formation for a third and 14 at their own 20-yard line.

Alex Holston hits the ball during Florida’s four-set win against Western Michigan on Sept. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Freshman right-side hitter becoming important aspect of Florida’s success

By RJ Schaffer | Sep. 24, 2013

Alex Holston’s career at Florida is off to an impressive start.

Lauren Silver dribbles the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Friday at James G. Pressly Stadium. The junior defender recorded four assists during the Gators’ first seven games this season.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Junior defender proving capable on both ends of field for Gators

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Sep. 24, 2013

Lauren Silver runs the ball wide.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mornhinweg new backup following Driskel injury

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 24, 2013

Skyler Mornhinweg is in a position he never thought he would find himself this season — one snap away from becoming No. 20 Florida’s starting quarterback.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida opens season Friday

By Logan McGuire | Sep. 24, 2013

Florida, the defending Southeastern Conference champion, will open its season at the three-day Pinch A Penny All Florida Invitational on Friday in the O’Connell Center.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 31-17 win against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The junior quarterback replaced an injured Jeff Driskel and completed 8 of 14 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Quarterback relishes new opportunity

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 23, 2013

When Jeff Driskel went down with a season-ending injury against Tennessee, backup quarterback Tyler Murphy took advantage of a golden opportunity.

Kyle Christy punts the ball during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Halapio fine after grisly eye injury

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 23, 2013

When right guard Jon Halapio fell to his knees during the first quarter against Tennessee on Saturday, it appeared as if the redshirt senior had re-aggravated the partially torn pectoral muscle that caused him to miss Florida’s first two games of the season.

Jeff Driskel throws a pass during warm-ups prior to Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Do not look to Murphy as savior for flawed Florida offense

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 23, 2013

Will Muschamp announced on Monday that quarterback Jeff Driskel’s fractured fibula will keep the junior out of commission for 4-6 months.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Chicago Bears strong safety Major Wright (21) and cornerback Tim Jennings on Sept. 8 at Soldier Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Former UF safety returns pick for touchdown

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Sep. 23, 2013

With Week 3 of the NFL season in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Junior middle blocker Chloe Mann hits the ball over the net in Florida’s 3-0 win against Arkansas on Oct. 5, 2012, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Senior sets Florida record

By RJ Schaffer | Sep. 23, 2013

During the past 13 years, the Gators have gone to the NCAA tournament every season and have won the Southeastern Conference 11 times.

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

SPORTS | SOCCER

Alumni weekend gives UF freshmen chance to learn

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Sep. 23, 2013

Alumni weekend provided something greater than just the bond of being a Gator.

$Two trainers attend to quarterback Jeff Driskel after he suffered a fractured right fibula during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.$

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Defense will determine UF’s success regardless of quarterback

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 22, 2013

Everyone is making a big deal about Florida’s quarterback situation and deservedly so.

Loucheiz Purifoy runs past a Tennessee defender during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Purifoy left Saturday's game due to a right thigh contusion.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Sophomore defensive back becomes first Gator ejected for targeting

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 22, 2013

The Gators saw firsthand the consequences of the NCAA’s new targeting rule on Saturday.

Junior Florent Diep strikes the ball during Florida’s 5-2 victory against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Two UF freshmen reach consolation singles final round at SEC Fall Classic

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Sep. 22, 2013

The UF’s men’s tennis team did not finish its play at the Southeastern Conference Fall Classic in Nashville, Tenn.