Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Redshirt junior center Kingsley Eguakun hikes the ball to redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz in the Gators' 29-16 win against the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs Kentucky: Live Updates

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 30, 2023

Follow along for a live thread of the Gators game against Kentucky.

Freshman forward Megan Hinnenkamp dribbles around a Kentucky defender in the Gators' 1-1 draw against the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida picks up first SEC victory of the season against LSU

By Austin Stirling | Sep. 29, 2023

The Florida Gators (5-3-3, 1-2-1 SEC) defeated the Louisiana State University Tigers (7-4-1, 2-2 SEC) 4-0 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the team’s first SEC victory of the season. This was also the first win Florida has had against a conference opponent in 705 days.

Kentucky's offense lines up during the first half of its 26-16 win over Florida Saturday, Sept. 10, 2021.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Know Your Enemy: Kentucky Wildcats

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 29, 2023

Sports editor Jackson Reyes sat down with Cole Parke, the sports editor at the Kentucky Kernel, the independent student newspaper at the University of Kentucky, to break down the Gators' game against the Wildcats.

Junior Joe Wester competes in the Mountain Dew Invitational on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida’s cross country teams notch top two finish at second meet of season

By Isabella Morales | Sep. 29, 2023

UF dominated the podium at its second meet of the season with a first place finish for the men in 39 points and a second place finish for the women in 42 points.

Graduate student guard Zyon Pullin dribbles around a screen during the Florida Gators Mens Basketball open practice on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Zyon Pullin set to miss first three games of Gators basketball season

By Krisha Sanghavi | Sep. 29, 2023

Florida graduate student point guard Zyon Pullin was hit with a three-game suspension for the 2023-24 Gators basketball season due to his participation in the Portsmouth Invitational.

Sophomore wide receiver Caleb Douglas runs with the ball in the Gators' 22-7 win against the Charlotte 49ers on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators look to end losing streak against Kentucky

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 29, 2023

The No. 22 Florida Gators (3-1, 1-0 SEC) will look to continue their winning ways when they head on the road to play the Kentucky Wildcats (4-0, 1-0 SEC). UF’s players have emphasized the importance of staying on track and ending their losing streak to Kentucky

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida looks to correct road woes entering first conference road trip

By Topher Adams | Sep. 28, 2023

Two seasons ago, the No. 10 Florida Gators traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, to face an unranked Kentucky team. Fifteen Gator penalties and a blocked field goal later, Florida lost to the Wildcats on the road for the first time since 1986. Two seasons later, with a second-year coaching staff in tow, Florida looks to vanquish its procedural woes away from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Senior outside hitter Sofia Victoria spikes the ball in the Gators' 3-2 loss against the Texas A&M Aggies on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 4 Florida falls to Texas A&M in second SEC matchup of season

By Krisha Sanghavi | Sep. 27, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (10-2, 2-1 SEC) fell to the Texas A&M Aggies (10-3, 2-1 SEC) 3-2 Wednesday night at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center for their second SEC matchup of the season.

Florida golfer Yuxin Lin during the Gators Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course Sunday, February 12, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida concludes second tournament at SEC Fall Preview

By Max Tucker | Sep. 27, 2023

The Gators placed seventh in stroke play Tuesday at the SEC Fall Preview and forced match play with the Crimson Tide Wednesday before UF fell 3-2.

Senior wide receiver Ricky Pearsall evades a Tennessee defender in the Gators' 29-16 win against the Volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mertz, Pearsall both see leaps in games while boosting Gators

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 27, 2023

Mertz and Pearsall’s connection has helped UF during its three-game win streak that has Florida at No. 22 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 and a 3-1, 1-0 SEC record.

Junior guard Walter Clayton dribbles the ball against sophomore guard Denzel Aberdeen in Florida's open practice on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Clayton talks recruitment, offseason going into first season at UF

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 27, 2023

Gators junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. returned to his home state this offseason to play for the team he grew up watching. It was a tough decision for the transfer guard to make, but he wanted to build something special with Florida’s backcourt.

Florida junior Maisie Filler drives the ball during the VyStar Credit Union Gators Invitational Sunday, March 5, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators come out victorious at second Fall tournament

By Max Tucker | Sep. 26, 2023

The Florida Gators women’s golf team put their skills on display Monday and Tuesday. The team teed off at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, for the Glass City Invitational. UF won the 10-team tournament.

Florida freshman Tanapatt Nirundorn celebrates during the Gators' 4-3 loss to the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, April 9, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators men’s tennis dominates in Bedford Cup

By Jack Meyer | Sep. 25, 2023

Florida took part in the Bedford Cup at Lake Nona, Florida, this past weekend, where it dominated in nearly every aspect. UF secured victories in the tournament’s singles and doubles championships.

Florida starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep delivers a pitch during the Gators' 4-0 win against South Carolina Saturday, June 10, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Former Gators pitcher Hurston Waldrep promoted to Triple-A

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 25, 2023

Former Florida pitcher Hurston Waldrep became the second Gators rookie to make his debut at the Triple-A level of minor league baseball this season.

Senior pitcher Aleshia Ocasio threw her final outing for the Gators in their 2-0 lost to Oklahoma at the Women's College World Series. Ocasio and starter Kelly Barnhill combined for only three hits, but their efforts weren't enough to save UF's season.

SPORTS

Hispanic student-athletes at UF: A history

By Topher Adams and Jackson Reyes | Sep. 25, 2023

For Hispanic Heritage Month, alligatorSports is highlighting some of these trailblazers and Gators legends whose stories can sometimes get lost in the world of Gators sports.

Redshirt freshman tight end Arlis Boardingham celebrates his first career touchdown with his teammates in the Gators’ 22-7 win against the Charlotte 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida ranked No. 22 in AP Poll despite uninspiring performance

By Luke Adragna | Sep. 25, 2023

Florida (3-1, 1-0 SEC) defeated the 49ers (1-3, 0-0 AAC) 22-7 Sept. 23 and is on a three-game win streak for the first time since 2020. Despite the victory, there were glaring deficiencies in the Gators’ performance, which allowed Charlotte to stay close throughout a majority of the contest.

Freshman outside hitter Kennedy Martin tips the ball in the Gators’ 3-2 win against the Georgia Bulldogs on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball claims close win in five-set battle

By Krisha Sanghavi | Sep. 24, 2023

The No. 3 Florida Gators (9-1, 2-0 SEC) defeated the Georgia Bulldogs (9-3, 0-1 SEC) 3-2 Sunday evening at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Junior defender Madison Young prepares to pass the ball in the Gators' 1-1 draw against the Kentucky Wildcats Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer settles for draw against Kentucky

By Hailey Hurst | Sep. 24, 2023

The Florida Gators (4-3-3, 0-2-1 SEC) drew against the Kentucky Wildcats (6-0-3, 0-0-2 SEC) 1-1 Sunday afternoon at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sophomore running back Trevor Etienne runs the ball in the Gators' 22-7 win against the Charlotte 49ers Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

No. 25 Gators’ defense shines in win against Charlotte

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 23, 2023

The No. 25 Florida Gators (3-1, 1-0 SEC) defeated the Charlotte 49ers (1-3, 0-0 AAC) 22-7 Saturday night in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida outgained Charlotte 396 yards to 210 yards in the game.

The Gators celebrate after winning a point in UF's 3-2 loss against the Wisconsin Badgers Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 3 Florida defeats No. 24 Auburn in five-set thriller in first game of SEC Play

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Sep. 22, 2023

The No. 3 Florida Gators (9-1, 1-0 SEC) beat the Auburn Tigers (10-2, 0-1 SEC) 3-2 Friday evening on the road in Auburn, Alabama, in their first game of Southeastern Conference play.