Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida guard Leilani Correa scans the court in the Gators' 92-54 win against the Florida A&M Rattlers on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida suffers second loss of the season behind fourth- quarter offensive struggles

By Brandon Hernandez | Dec. 2, 2023

The Florida Gators (6-2) suffered their second loss of the season to the Marshall Thundering Herd (3-4) 91-88 at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, West Virginia, Saturday. Despite Gators senior guards Leilani Correa and Aliyah Matharu combining for 50 points, UF struggled to answer back to a 10-0 three-minute Marshall run to end the game.

The Gators volleyball team embraces each other in Florida's 3-0 win against Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida eliminated from NCAA Tournament by Georgia Tech in second round

By Krisha Sanghavi | Dec. 1, 2023

The No. 4-seed Florida Gators (19-10, 10-8 SEC) lost to the No. 5-seed Yellow Jackets (24-6,13-4 ACC) 3-2 Friday night in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The loss eliminates the Gators from the NCAA Volleyball Tournament.

Freshman outside hitter Kennedy Martin tips the ball in the Gators' 3-0 win against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 20 Florida wins first round of NCAA Tournament in three-set sweep

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Nov. 30, 2023

The No. 20 Florida Gators (19-9, 10-8 SEC) swept the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (27-7, 15-1 ASUN) 3-0 Thursday evening in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center for the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz celebrates after he ran the ball for a touchdown in the Gators' 49-7 win against the McNeese State Cowboys Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Quarterback Graham Mertz will return to Florida for 2024 season

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 30, 2023

Gators redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz will return to Florida for the 2024 season, he announced in a Tweet Thursday.

Sophomore safety Kamari Wilson completes a rep in the Gators' fall scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Several Gators enter Transfer Portal Wednesday

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 30, 2023

Four Gators players entered or are set to enter the Transfer Portal Wednesday.

Sophomore guard Riley Kugel drives the ball in the Gators' 89-68 against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Gators fall to Wake Forest in first-ever ACC/SEC Challenge

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 29, 2023

The Florida Gators (4-3) lost to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-3) 82-71 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wednesday night. Sophomore guard Riley Kugel led UF with 24 points in the losing effort on 9-14 shooting and 4-6 from deep.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators leave Atlanta as winners after beating Georgia Tech

By Lacey Rogers | Nov. 29, 2023

The Florida Gators (6-1) took home its third victory in a row, 68-58, against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-2) in Atlanta Wednesday.

Junior defensive lineman Cam Jackson warms up before the Gators' 52-35 loss to the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida defensive lineman Cam Jackson to return for senior season

By Topher Adams | Nov. 29, 2023

Florida junior defensive tackle Cam’Ron Jackson will return to UF for his senior season, he announced on social media Wednesday.

Redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz drops back to throw the ball in the Gators' 38-14 win against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

End of Season Mailbag: Answering questions about the Gators football team

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 29, 2023

As many questions loom around the Florida program, it’s time to open up the mailbag from the fans to answer some of the biggest questions heading into the offseason.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Max Brown runs the ball in the Gators' 24-15 loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida quarterback Max Brown to enter the transfer portal

By Topher Adams | Nov. 29, 2023

Florida redshirt freshman quarterback Max Brown is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

UF head coach Billy Napier and the Gators prepare to enter Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Florida's 24-15 loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Billy Napier faces turning point following underwhelming second season

By Topher Adams | Nov. 29, 2023

Florida finished its season 5-7. The Gators have now finished with a losing season for three straight years, something that hasn’t happened since 1945-1947. The disappointing season is an early inflection point for Napier.

Florida Gators alternate white football helmet.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida parts ways with secondary coach Corey Raymond, defensive line coach Sean Spencer

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 27, 2023

The Florida Gators parted ways with secondary coach Corey Raymond and defensive line coach Sean Spencer Monday.

The Gator Collective, pioneered by former Florida pitcher Eddie Rojas, has grown into a prominent NIL force in Gainesville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gainesville game day banner causes controversy

By Austin Stirling | Nov. 27, 2023

One banner in particular created more anger among fans than the rest. The banner depicted a cartoonish character hung up, as it is typically drawn in the popular game known as “Hangman.” Travis’ number 13 was drawn on the cartoon figure, and the leg was drawn to appear broken.

The Gators' defense sacks FSU quarterback Tate Rodemaker in the endzone for a safety in Florida's 24-15 loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida fails to spoil Seminoles’ perfect season in loss

By Jackson Reyes | Nov. 25, 2023

The Florida Gators (5-7, 3-5 SEC) fell to the No. 5 Florida State Seminoles (12-0, 8-0 ACC) in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Saturday night. The Gators’ 5-7 finish marks UF’s third consecutive losing season for the first time since 1945-1947.

Florida quarterback Max Brown warms up ahead of the Gators matchup with the No. 5 Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs. No. 5 Florida State: Live Updates

By Topher Adams | Nov. 25, 2023

The Florida Gators (5-6, 3-5 SEC) will host the undefeated, No. 5 Florida State Seminoles (11-0, 8-0 ACC) Saturday at 7 p.m. Follow along below for live updates throughout the game.

Senior libero Elli McKissock dives to set the ball in the Gators' 3-0 loss to the Auburn Tigers on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators conclude regular season with three-set loss

By Krisha Sanghavi | Nov. 25, 2023

The No. 20 Florida Gators (18-9, 10-8 SEC) fell to the No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats (19-7,17-1 SEC) in Lexington, Kentucky, Saturday afternoon. The loss marks the end of the Gators’ regular season.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Max Brown warms up before the Gators' 52-35 loss to the LSU Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida gets final shot at bowl eligibility against undefeated Seminoles

By Topher Adams | Nov. 25, 2023

The Florida Gators (5-6, 3-5 SEC) will face the No. 5 Florida State Seminoles (11-0, 8-0 ACC) Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. UF will look to secure a sixth-straight bowl berth while spoiling FSU’s perfect regular season.

Sophomore guard Riley Kugel attempts a jumper in the Gators' 89-68 win against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls short against Baylor in high-scoring duel

By Topher Adams | Nov. 24, 2023

The Florida Gators (4-2) fell to the No. 13 Baylor Bears (6-0) 95-91 in the championship of the NIT Season Tip-Off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. attempts a jumper in the Gators' 89-68 win against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida hands Pittsburgh first loss of the year behind Clayton season-high game

By Brandon Hernandez | Nov. 23, 2023

The Florida Gators (4-1) defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-1) 86-71 in UF’s first game of the NIT Season Tip-off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn Wednesday. Despite a rough start, UF held Pitt to 35% shooting from the floor and led for nearly 19 minutes in the contest.

Florida sets up its defense in the Gators’ 3-2 win against the Georgia Bulldogs on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 20 Gators squash South Carolina in four-set victory

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Nov. 22, 2023

The No. 20 Florida Gators (18-8, 10-7 SEC) beat the South Carolina Gamecocks (10-16, 4-13 SEC) 3-1 Wednesday afternoon in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Freshman outside hitter Kennedy Martin set a new program record for kills by a freshman with 441 in the win.