sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Coach Will Muschamp and Kentucky offensive coordinator Randy Sanders shake hands after Florida’s 38-0 win on Sept. 22 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Swamp will host an array of football recruits when No. 10 Florida takes on No. 4 LSU.

Sports

Atmosphere of top-10 matchup to help recruiting

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 4, 2012

During his recruitment, Omar Hunter was far from a lock to attend Florida.

Jordan Reed (11) has improved his blocking and receiving abilities during his second season as a full-time tight end. The junior leads Florida with 16 catches in 2012.

Sports

UF's Reed finding confidence, success at tight end

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 4, 2012

For Jordan Reed, the journey to success didn’t begin with long days on the football field.

Center back Christen Westphal pushes the ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Arkansas on Sunday at James G. Pressly Stadium. Westphal is averaging 84.8 minutes per game this season.

Sports

Freshman carrying heavier burden for UF soccer in senior’s absence

By LANDON WATNICK | Oct. 4, 2012

When redshirt senior Kat Williamson suffered a meniscus tear in her right knee against FIU on Sept. 2, freshman center back Christen Westphal lost her mentor.

Fullback Hunter Joyer (41) falls forward after a catch during UF’s 38-0 win against Kentucky on Sept. 22 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Joyer has been used primarily as a blocker, touching the ball only four times in 2012.

Sports

After blowout loss in 2011, Gators football ready for second chance

By ADAM PINCUS | Oct. 4, 2012

Hunter Joyer feels he has something to prove.

Junior defensive end Dominique Easley (2) rushes the passer during Florida's 27-14 win against Bowling Green on Sept. 1 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. UF defensive coordinator said Easley, who was nursing a knee injury, is ready to go on Saturday against LSU.

Sports

Notebook: UF's Jelani Jenkins to play with cast against LSU; other injury updates

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 3, 2012

The Gators’ defense will have some reinforcements to help slow down the Tigers’ offense on Saturday.

Senior running back Mike Gillislee receives a handoff from sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel during Florida's 38-0 win against Kentucky on Sept. 22 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Gillislee ran for 56 yards on 13 carries.

Sports

Column: UF will win line of scrimmage

By JOE MORGAN | Oct. 3, 2012

Twenty-four minutes.

Former Florida defensive tackle Omar Hunter (99) splits a pair of offensive linemen during Florida's 38-20 win against Tennessee on Sept. 15, 2012, at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers return four starters on the offensive line from 2012.

Sports

Experienced Hunter's intensity leading to better results for UF football

By ADAM PINCUS | Oct. 3, 2012

Omar Hunter has been through two head coaches and three defensive coordinators during his five years at Florida. Throw in a national championship and a six-loss season, and he’s seen a lot in his time with the Gators.

Sports

UF women's tennis freshman advances to main draw of ITA All-American Tournament

Oct. 3, 2012

With no prior NCAA individual tournament experience, freshman Danielle Collins was an unlikely candidate to advance to the main draw of the Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament. But on Wednesday, she did just that.

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) drops back to pass in the second half of their NCAA college football game against Idaho in Baton Rouge, La. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. LSU won 63-14.

Sports

LSU's Mettenberger adds fresh dimension to offense

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 3, 2012

After four seasons with an offense reliant on the power running game, LSU finally has a quarterback capable of leading a downfield passing attack.

Chloe Mann (10) spikes the ball over Missouri’s Whitney Little (8) during UF’s 3-0 win on Sept. 21, 2012, in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Sports

Mann pacing Gators volleyball in middle

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Oct. 2, 2012

After Chloe Mann dominated last season, coach Mary Wise knew the middle blocker would be at the top of every opponent’s watch list.

Florida coach Roland Thornqvist (right) congratulates junior Sofie Oyen (left) and former Gator Allie Will (back) during a match against Duke on March 14, 2012.

Sports

Oyen, UF tennis thrives in qualifying

Oct. 2, 2012

Florida junior Sofie Oyen and freshman Danielle Collins traveled different roads to get to the qualifying round of the Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Junior forward Taylor Travis (41) pushes the ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Arkansas on Sept. 30, 2012, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Outside backs helping UF soccer on attack, defense

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Oct. 2, 2012

For some players, changing from offense to defense would mean a major shift in focus. For Taylor Travis, the switch only makes her more effective moving the offense.

Senior T.J. Vogel finished tied for seventh after carding a 68 (-2) in the final round of the Olympia Fields/Illini Invitational on Tuesday. Vogel finished in the top-10 for the second-straight tournament.

Sports

UF's Vogel carries Gators golf to second place

By CHARLES KINGSBURY | Oct. 2, 2012

Last season at the Olympia Fields Invitational, senior T.J. Vogel got off to a hot start before catching fire in the latter part of the tournament.

Running back Mike Gillislee (23) runs through the Kentucky defense during Florida's 38-0 win at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 22. Florida faces the ninth-ranked rushing defense in the country in LSU on Saturday.

Sports

Column: UF football must establish run to win

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 2, 2012

Jeff Driskel has been a revelation for the Gators.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) attempts a screen pass to running back Matt Jones (24) during Florida's 38-0 win against Kentucky at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 22. Offensive coordinator Brent Pease said he wants the sophomore to not try and do too much when Florida hosts LSU on Saturday.

Sports

Notebook: UF's Chaz Green likely to play vs. LSU; Driskel continuing maturation process

By ADAM PINCUS | Oct. 2, 2012

Chaz Green could play in a game for the first time in three weeks on Saturday.

Junior center Jonotthan Harrison (72) waits to snap the ball to sophomore Jeff Driskel (6) during Florida's 38-0 win against Kentucky at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 22.

Sports

Gators offensive line to be tested against Tigers front

By JOE MORGAN | Oct. 2, 2012

Coordinator Brent Pease called the offensive line the Gators’ strongest unit. It’s time for the big men to flex their muscles.

$Linebacker Jelani Jenkins (3) waits for a snap against Bowling Green during Florida's 27-14 win on Sept. 1 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Jenkins suffered a fractured thumb in his right thumb the next week against Texas A&M.$

Sports

Notebook: Starter at left tackle not set; Jenkins not yet cleared for contact

By JOE MORGAN | Oct. 1, 2012

On Saturday, LSU defensive ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery will go after Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel. Which Gators offensive lineman will protect Driskel's blind side has yet to be determined. Either injured senior Xavier Nixon or freshman D.J. Humphries is expected to start at left tackle.

Sophomore defensive backs De'Ante Saunders (26), Marcus Roberson (5), and freshman defensive back Rhaheim Ledbetter (29) prepare to run onto the field to face Kentucky on Sept. 22 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. No. 10 UF hosts No. 4 LSU on Saturday.

Sports

Column: Win or lose, UF's game vs. LSU won't define season

By ADAM PINCUS | Oct. 1, 2012

When the Gators and Tigers play on Saturday, it will be the first top-10 matchup in The Swamp in six years. Florida will attempt to knock off its highest-ranked opponent at home since defeating then-No. 4 LSU in 2008.

Sophomore forward Jillian Graff fights for the ball against Arkansas in UF’s 4-0 win on Sunday afternoon at James G. Pressly Stadium. She ranks second on UF with three goals despite starting just two games.

Sports

UF forward Jillian Graff thriving in limited time

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Oct. 1, 2012

Sophomore Jillian Graff doesn’t see a lot of time on the field. But when she does, she makes the most of it.

Simone Antwi (16) receives a pass from Dana Backlund (2) during UF’s 3-0 win against Jacksonville on Sept. 7, 2012, in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Sports

Redshirt freshman Antwi finding role for Florida

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Oct. 1, 2012

As the Gators lined up for serving practice in the Lemerand Center, Simone Antwi imagined she was somewhere else.