Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball powers past Kentucky

Sep. 23, 2011

Stephanie Ferrell was locked in on Saturday night.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Tymrak lifts Florida to win in SEC opener

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Sep. 23, 2011

Five days after their largest offensive explosion of the season, the Gators found themselves in a defensive struggle Friday night against the Bulldogs in their Southeastern Conference opener.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators' opening round maligned by poor weather

By LANDON WATNICK< | Sep. 23, 2011

With a strong breeze blustering through Legends Club on Friday, the Gators’ first round couldn’t help but get caught up in the bad conditions.

The Gators have allowed just 92 yards on the ground through three games, holding Tennessee to minus-9 yards rushing last Saturday in a 33-23 win. Kentucky is 10th in the SEC in rushing.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators’ top-ranked defense tough test for ‘Cats

Sep. 22, 2011

Josh Clemons has been asked to run through some narrow holes this season. Those lanes are only going to close up more come Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Picks Column: Kentucky

Sep. 22, 2011

With a 12-hour road trip to beautiful Lexington, Ky., on the horizon, we’re going to get right to it this week.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Hedberg aims to build on record-setting performance

By LANDON WATNICK< | Sep. 22, 2011

In her first collegiate tournament, Camilla Hedberg tied for third individually and broke the record for the lowest 54-hole total in UF history (208).

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Gators focus on building team chemistry before home meet

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 22, 2011

With its long, grueling runs, cross country is not typically known as a sport that exudes team chemistry. But with a regular morning routine in place, UF's women's squad is trying to replace individualism with a group mentality.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Proof is in the numbers: Brantley untested

By GREG LUCA | Sep. 22, 2011

For all the pressure and scrutiny John Brantley was under in 2010, Florida’s senior quarterback might have the easiest job in football right now.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Matchup with Georgia has different meaning for Speese

By JOHN BOOTHE | Sep. 22, 2011

By her junior year of high school, Annie Speese’s road to playing soccer for Georgia was seemingly mapped out.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators preparing for tough match at home against Kentucky

Sep. 22, 2011

Through seven home games this season, Florida has played host to two teams ranked in the AVCA Top 25. But it’s tonight’s matchup with an unranked Kentucky team that has UF coach Mary Wise dialed in.

As a true freshman, UF cornerback Marcus Roberson was arrested Sept. 14 for alcohol possession.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Roberson prepares for games, Muschamp says Rainey deserves Heisman talk

By MATT WATTS | Sep. 21, 2011

Before Marcus Roberson could start as a true freshman, he had to learn how to properly prepare for a game, not just physically, but mentally.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Stark contrast between Weis and Addazio as coordinator

Sep. 21, 2011

Charlie Weis is a miserable, miserable man. And that should make you very happy.

UK coach Joker Phillips said the Gators employ an effective strategy called the “mug and trail,” leading to success blocking punts.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators’ special teams, blocked punts key to Kentucky game

By TOM GREEN | Sep. 21, 2011

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips knows his team has a real challenge on its hands this weekend.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Mailbag: Andre DeBOOM, role reversals and flea-flickers galore

Sep. 21, 2011

We’re back at it again with another edition of The Mailbag. We don’t want to delay you from the awesome submissions this week, so let’s get right to it.

Maggie Rodgers never played on defense before coming to Florida, but the sophomore is making the switch in order to see more playing time.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Rodgers seeing increased role after switching to defense

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Sep. 21, 2011

It is a significant accomplishment for a soccer player to surpass her minute total from the previous season in less than seven games.

Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis displayed frustration Tuesday with the progression of the offense. The unit committed several penalties against UT and struggled on third down.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Plenty wrong with Gators’ offense, Weis says; Elam pleads no contest to July charge

By TOM GREEN | Sep. 20, 2011

Florida may be 3-0 and off to a fast start in the Southeastern Conference, but offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is not pleased with Florida’s progress on offense.

After Will Muschamp and Dan Quinn said they wanted to see more production from Ronald Powell, the sophomore stepped up against Tennessee, contributing half a sack and forcing two picks.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Powell adjusting to complex scheme

By GREG LUCA | Sep. 20, 2011

At the snap of the ball, sophomore linebacker Ronald Powell fires out of his three-point stance.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF taking what defense allows? Not a chance

By MATT WATTS | Sep. 20, 2011

It started against Florida Atlantic in the opener, carried over into the UAB game, and came to a head after beating Tennessee.

Gators midfielder McKenzie Barney led the Southeastern Conference with 14 goals last season, but she only has two goals through nine games this year and is playing less than 45 minutes per game.

SPORTS | SOCCER

No. 6 Gators’ offense features ‘diverse goal-scoring group’

By JOHN BOOTHE | Sep. 20, 2011

Following each of Florida’s nine non-conference games, a video had to be posted online to keep other teams around the Southeastern Conference informed on the Gators’ play.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Hlaselo formally charged with first-degree felony sexual battery

By JOHN BOOTHE | Sep. 20, 2011

A former UF track and field athlete accused of sexually assaulting a woman in June has moved one step closer to resolving his case after the State Attorney’s Office filed formal charges against him last week.