Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore linebacker Antonio Morrison speaks at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Morrison was originally suspended for two games, but coach Will Muschamp announced on Monday that he reduced the suspension to only one game.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Morrison missed opportunity for redemption

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 29, 2013

Give Antonio Morrison credit. At least he tried to apologize.

UF coach Mary Wise (above) will square off against former Gator and current LIU-Brooklyn assistant coach Jennifer Robinson when both teams play tonight at 7:30.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF opens season against New Orleans, former Gator

By RJ Schaffer | Aug. 29, 2013

For Jennifer Robinson, returning to Gainesville meant reliving one of the most successful seasons of her volleyball career.

Freshman forward Savannah Jordan fights for possession of the ball during Florida's 3-1 win against Florida Gulf Coast on Aug. 23 night at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Jordan no longer under the radar as Florida heads into Florida State matchup

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Aug. 29, 2013

Freshman Savannah Jordan is no longer the Gators’ best-kept secret.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Parrish, Gators ready to begin season at Western Carolina Invitational

By GORDON STREISAND< | Aug. 29, 2013

With the start of the 2013 season on tap, the Gators cross country team is hitting the ground running.

Jeff Driskel throws a pass during warm-ups prior to Florida’s 27-14 win against Bowling Green on Sept. 1 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Can the Gators cover a 24-point spread against Toledo?

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 28, 2013

Phil: When Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Saturday at 12:21 p.m. in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the Gators will be favored by 24 points.

Antonio Morrison chases down a Florida State player during Florida’s 37-26 win on Nov. 24, 2012 in Doak Campbell Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Morrison apologizes for arrests

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 28, 2013

Antonio Morrison spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday following two offseason arrests.

Sophomore running back Matt Jones runs the ball during Florida’s 37-26 victory against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Sophomore running back practices in pads Tuesday; out Saturday

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 28, 2013

Running back Matt Jones practiced in pads for the first time Tuesday since contracting a viral infection in July. Jones is still out for Saturday’s game against Toledo.

Quinton Dunbar reaches for a pass during warm-ups prior to Florida’s game against Kentucky on Sept. 22 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators defeated the Wildcats 38-0.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators hoping new additions improve dismal passing attack

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 27, 2013

The Superdome turf seemed like an ideal field for Florida’s Southeastern Conference speed. Instead, Louisville made UF look like it had just come off Bourbon Street from Mardi Gras.

Redshirt senior center Jon Harrison prepares to snap the ball against Tennesee on Sept. 15 in Neyland Stadium. Florida scored 24 unanswered points to win the game 37-20.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Center looking to become anchor on depleted offensive line

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 27, 2013

Jon Harrison has seen a lot of changes during his time at Florida.

Valdez Showers battles a Bowling Green defender in Florida’s 27-14 win on Sept. 1. Showers moved from safety to tailback during the offseason.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior fullback returns to team

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 27, 2013

Fullback Hunter Joyer (hamstring) returned to practice on Monday, offensive coordinator Brent Pease confirmed Tuesday. Joyer had been sidelined for more than two weeks.

Taylor Brauneis reaches for the ball during a 3-0 victory against Missouri on Sept. 21 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Senior setter making teammates better

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 27, 2013

When Florida dropped the fourth and final set to Illinois in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, Mary Wise began one of the most difficult offseasons she has ever had in her 21 years as a head coach.

Antonio Morrison runs through drills during a spring practice in 2012. Will Muschamp reduced Morrison’s suspension from two games to one Monday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Muschamp reduces suspension of sophomore linebacker to one game

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 26, 2013

Will Muschamp announced Monday that linebacker Antonio Morrison (suspension) and running back Matt Jones (virus) are expected to play in Florida’s game against Miami on Sept. 7.

Will Muschamp said Monday that offensive tackle Chaz Green (above) would miss the 2013 season after suffering a torn labrum during an Aug. 20 practice. Green will undergo surgery soon to fix structural damage.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior offensive lineman to miss season with labrum tear

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 26, 2013

Florida entered fall camp with the best depth it had seen along the offensive line under Will Muschamp.

Junior libero Taylor Unroe serves against Florida A&M on Aug. 25, 2012, in the O’Connell Center. UF won the match 3-0.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators counting on experienced back row

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 26, 2013

With 6-foot-2 Betsy Smith and 6-foot-4 Tangerine Wiggs patrolling the net last season, coach Mary Wise never had to worry about the Gators not getting enough blocks.

Freshman forward Savannah Jordan (10) eludes two Oregon State defenders in Florida's 3-1 win on Aug. 23 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Freshman earns award for stellar weekend performance

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Aug. 26, 2013

By opening her Florida career with a five-goal offensive outburst in two games, Savannah Jordan has quickly made her name known in the Southeastern Conference.

Savannah Jordan (right) dribbles past Oregon State’s Kathryn Baker on Aug. 25 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Jordan scored three times during the game.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Freshman’s hat trick propels Florida to first-weekend sweep

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Aug. 25, 2013

Savannah Jordan rewrote history in her first weekend with the Gators.

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

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

New NCAA targeting rule receives criticism from Gators

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 25, 2013

Florida has not played a down of football in the 2013 season, but coach Will Muschamp has made it clear he is already not in favor of the NCAA’s new "targeting" rule.

Freshman Keanu Neal reaches for a pass during practice last Monday. Neal was rated the No. 7 safety in the 2013 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida coaching staff searching for freshman contributors

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 25, 2013

Amari Cooper torched Notre Dame for two touchdowns in Alabama’s re-christening as national champions last season. His teammate, T.J. Yeldon, added 108 yards and a touchdown against the Irish.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Sophomore tailback out for season opener versus Toledo

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 25, 2013

Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Saturday, but two key players will be absent.

Guard Jon Halapio blocks Georgia nose tackle Kwame Geathers in Florida’s 17-9 loss on Oct. 27 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jones, Halapio out for Florida against Toledo

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 23, 2013

Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Aug. 31, but two key players won’t be on the field.