sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore Loucheiz Purifoy carries the ball down the field during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Sports

Youth will be served in UF secondary following key departures

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 14, 2013

Florida had several established upperclassmen to lead the defense in 2012.

Wide receiver Quinton Dunbar (1) catches the game-tying touchdown during Florida’s 27-20 win against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Three factors to decide whether UF ‘breaks’ good or bad in 2013

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 14, 2013

For anyone who is a ravenous consumer of sports and entertainment, the summer months can be trying times.

Receiver Andre Debose (4) waits in the end zone to return a kick-off during the game against Texas A&M on Saturday at Kyle Field. Debose is out for 2013 with an ACL tear.

Sports

Summer of trouble gives way to season full of expectations

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 14, 2013

This was the summer of discontent for Gators fans.

Freshman linebacker Antonio Morrison (12) chases down Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (5) during UF's 20-17 victory against Texas A&M at Kyle Field.

Sports

College no longer a safe haven for much-scrutinized athletes

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 14, 2013

Although the Emmy-nominated “Scandal” doesn't return to ABC until Oct. 3, college football can fill the void of twists and turns.

Coach Will Muschamp exchanges words with an official during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Sports

UF swimming in pursuit of championship

By Logan McGuire | Aug. 14, 2013

Coming off a successful 2012-13 season, the Florida swim team is built for a repeat performance this year.

(From left to right) Ermon Lane, Quincy Wilson and Chris Lammons, all four-star recruits according to Rivals.com, committed to the Gators on Monday. UF now has 16 commits for its Class of 2014.

Sports

Gators pluck three in-state 2014 commits Monday

By LANDON WATNICK< | Aug. 12, 2013

Florida's Class of 2014 received a major boost on Monday.

Freshman runningback Matt Jones runs the ball towards the Missouri endzone on Nov. 3 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during Florida's 14-7 win.

Sports

Muschamp unsure of when Jones will return

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 12, 2013

Dealing with the continued effects of a serious viral infection suffered prior to the start of fall camp, sophomore running back Matt Jones remains out indefinitely.

Freshman linebacker Antonio Morrison(12) chases down Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) at Kyle Field during Florida's 20-17 victory against Texas A&M on Sept. 8.

Sports

Morrison present at Florida's team meetings Thursday

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 8, 2013

Suspended sophomore linebacker Antonio Morrison could return to practice with the Gators tonight.

Joker Phillips watches the scoreboard during a Kentucky game on Sept. 17, 2011, in Lexington, Ky. Phillips is starting his first season at UF.

Sports

Receivers coach bringing experience, knowledge to offense

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 7, 2013

Since accepting the job as Florida’s wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator on Dec. 3, Joker Phillips has garnered attention for utilizing Photoshop to reach out to high school prospects.

Forward Erik Murphy (33) attempts a shot in UF’s 74-56 win against Wisconsin on Wednesday in the O’Connell Center. Murphy tied a career high with 24 points.

Sports

The Alligator Awards: What was the best UF individual performance of 2012-13?

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 7, 2013

Adam: The best thing about sports is that you can go to any random game and witness something you’ve never seen before. I went to a spring training game one year and saw a third-string catcher hit an inside-the-park home run (well, I should have seen it, but that’s another story).

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

Sports

Injuries open big spot on line

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 7, 2013

With probable starters Jon Halapio (partially torn pectoral muscle) and Max Garcia (back) out due to injury, Florida needs someone to fill big holes in the offensive line.

Junior wide receiver Andre Debose returns a kick off against Tennessee at Kyle Field on Sept. 15, 2010. Debose was pushed into a window during a brawl Saturday night.

Sports

Debose suffers ACL tear

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 7, 2013

After failing to live up to his immense potential during his college career, Andre Debose entered the 2013 season hoping to make the most of his final opportunity.

Coach Will Muschamp speaks at UF media day on Thursday. Muschamp has not named a starter to replace former kicker Caleb Sturgis, who was a Lou Groza Award finalist.

Sports

Kickers competing for starting job as fall camp begins

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 5, 2013

For the last two seasons, when the Gators lined up for a field goal, Florida fans could rest assured that three points would soon be on the board.

Junior tight end Jordan Reed dives for a few extra yards during the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Florida has five scholarship tight ends who will look to replace Reed this season.

Sports

Tight ends look to replace Reed

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 5, 2013

Colin Thompson was expected to offer another dimension to Florida’s tight end group in 2012 before a foot injury derailed his season before it began.

Florida sophomore Elizabeth Beisel competes in the women’s 200-yard breaststroke during the Gators’ meet against FAU on Jan. 14, 2012 in the O’Connell Center Natatorium.

Sports

UF shines at meets

By Logan McGuire | Aug. 5, 2013

Former Gator Ryan Lochte recorded three of his 15 World Championships titles in Barcelona, Spain, over the past week, bringing his career medal count to 23 at Worlds. Two of his gold medals came in a two-hour span where he swam in three different events on Friday.

New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez looks on during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago on Monday.

Sports

A-Rod’s ruined legacy

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 5, 2013

“You were the Chosen One! It was said you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!”

Quarterback Tyler Murphy gets ready to throw a pass during Florida's annual Orange and Blue Game in 2011. With Jeff Driskel (appendectomy) out, Murphy practiced with the first-team offense during Day 1 of fall camp on Friday.

Sports

Murphy sees first-team reps at quarterback during Day 1 of fall camp

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 2, 2013

After the first day of fall practice, coach Will Muschamp is not ready to make any pronouncements about his 2013 team.

Ronald Powell stands on the field prior to Florida's 14-6 win against LSU on Oct. 6 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Powell ready to make impact after missing 2012 with ACL tear

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 1, 2013

It has been about 19 months since Ronald Powell has played a down of meaningful football for Florida, but going into fall training camp, the junior is looking to make up for lost time.

Running back Matt Jones runs the ball during UF’s 37-26 win against FSU on Nov. 24. Jones missed the start of UF’s camp due to a viral infection.

Sports

Injuries strike Gators before camp

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 1, 2013

Missing four projected starters on offense before fall camp opens is rare, but that is the situation the Gators faced last week.