Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Florida volleyball team celebrates during a match against the Virginia Cavaliers Aug. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No.16 Florida volleyball back in the win column, sweeps Georgia Southern

By Brandon Hernandez | Sep. 9, 2022

Florida volleyball defeated Georgia Southern in sweeping fashion to start the Sunshine Invitational at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Friday. The Gators showcased a defensive masterclass in the early match to start the weekend, blocking the Eagles 11 times and preventing them from ever holding a lead in the first two sets.

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis throws a pass during the Wildcats game against Miami (Ohio) Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Jack Weaver | Kentucky Kernel

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Know Your Enemy: Kentucky Wildcats

By Joseph Henry | Sep. 8, 2022

Know Your Enemy returns with a look at this weekends game between No. 12 Florida and No. 20 Kentucky. Cole Parke, sports editor of the Kentucky Kernel, fields questions from the Alligator's sports editor Joseph Henry.

A Florida bag at Mark Bostick Golf Club in Gainesville, Florida. UF took home the hardware with a 21-under-par team performance at the Fighting Irish Classic.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf wins season opener: The Fighting Irish Classic

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Sep. 7, 2022

Florida men’s golf won its season opener at the Fighting Irish Classic tournament this past weekend. The Gators finished the weekend 21-under-par.

Florida head coach Billy Napier greeting fans during Gator Walk Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida ranked No.12 in this week’s AP top 25

By Topher Adams | Sep. 6, 2022

Florida jumped to No. 12 in the AP top 25 following Saturday’s win over the Utah Utes. It’s the largest rise for an unranked team in the AP Poll since 2016.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson on the sidelines during the Gators’ 42-20 win over South Florida on Sept. 11, 2021. Richardson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week Monday afternoon.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Richardson and Cox Jr. receive SEC honors for week one performances

By Topher Adams | Sep. 5, 2022

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. received SEC Player of the Week recognition after big performances in the Gators upset win over Utah Saturday.

Florida junior defender Josie Curtis throws the ball into play during the Gators' match against South Florida Sept. 1, 2021.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer bullied at home by in-state rivals Florida State

By Jose Tovar | Sep. 5, 2022

The No. 10 Seminoles dominated the Sunshine Showdown from kickoff to final whistle and handed Florida a 5-0 loss at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The Gators had a flawed performance, totaling only three shots during the match and allowing four goals in the second half.

Florida sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson during the Gators game against Utah Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. He led UF with 274 total yards and three rushing touchdowns.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Yes, Anthony Richardson is him

By Jackson Castellano | Sep. 5, 2022

To just say Richardson delivered would almost be disrespectful. He had a career night. The redshirt sophomore totaled 274 yards through the air and ground and recorded a career high of three rushing touchdowns. Every play was a highlight waiting to happen.

Outside hitter Marina Markova rises above the net during a match with Virginia Aug. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 13 Florida volleyball falls to No. 4 Minnesota on the road

By Ethan Eibe | Sep. 4, 2022

Gators volleyball falls to 3-2 on the season with a road loss to No. 4 Minnesota in four sets.

Florida linebacker Amari Burney intercepts a pass from Utes quarterback Cameron Rising in the closing moments of the Gators' upset of No. 7 Utah Saturday night.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida upsets No. 7 Utah in front of record crowd

By Topher Adams | Sep. 3, 2022

The Florida Gators held off the No. 7 Utah Utes 28-26 in the first game of the Billy Napier era. Sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson, in his first career home start, dazzled with 168 passing yards and another 106 on the ground and three touchdowns.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson drops back during Florida's game against Georgia Oct. 30, 2021. All eyes will be on the Gators signal caller Saturday night when UF opens its season by hosting the Utah Utes.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Turn on the lights: Florida opens season against Utah Saturday night

By Joseph Henry | Sep. 2, 2022

A whole season awaits, but Florida has the opposite of a cupcake game to begin its season Saturday night. The Gators welcome No. 7 Utah to the Swamp for a matchup that will set the tone for Billy Napier's first campaign as head coach.

Redshirt freshman midfielder Oakley Rasmussen shoots against South Florida Sept. 1, 2021.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators find late goal to beat USF in first home match of the season

By Jackson Reyes | Sep. 2, 2022

Florida scored a late goal to win its first home match of the season against the USF Bulls. Gators midfielder Julianne Leskauskas finished with a goal and an assist.

Defensive back Trey Dean III in coverage against Florida State Nov. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football position preview: Secondary

By Topher Adams | Sep. 1, 2022

Florida may or may not be the real “DBU,” but with new cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond, the Gators secondary could be a formidable group.

Senior outside hitter Marina Markova and sophomore middle blocker Gabrielle Essix combine for a block against Virginia Aug. 27, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball rallies late, loses first match of season to Stanford

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 31, 2022

No. 13 Florida came up short of a comeback victory against No. 12 Stanford Tuesday night in the O’Dome.

Outside linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. celebrates a sack against Florida State Nov. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football position preview: Front seven

By Topher Adams | Aug. 30, 2022

The Gators defense starts with Ventrell Miller, Gervon Dexter and Brenton Cox Jr. Outside of them, the Florida front seven is filled with question marks and potential.

Head football coach Billy Napier calls his team during a spring practice March 29, 2022.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Billy Napier teaching Florida fans a valuable lesson in patience

By Michael Hull | Aug. 30, 2022

Many Florida fans became wary of new head coach Billy Napier after what appeared to be a slow start to the recruiting process. However, Napier has since proven patience is a virtue many need to learn.

Setter Alexis Stucky serves during a match against Virginia Aug. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball off to a roaring start with perfect weekend

By Ethan Eibe | Aug. 29, 2022

For the 25th time in program history, Florida volleyball started its season 3-0. The Gators began their season with a bang, bringing three opponents to Gainesville for a round-robin invitational. No. 15 Florida hosted — and defeated — the North Florida Ospreys, East Tennessee State Buccaneers and Virginia Cavaliers over the weekend.

Wide receiver Justin Shorter goes through a practice drill April 5, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football position preview: Skill positions

By Topher Adams | Aug. 29, 2022

Florida's skill positions have many things in common. Returning players stepping into larger roles, transfers ready to make an impact and young studs thirsting for their first action. These are the storylines to watch across the board.

A Florida shot sails over the goal during a match with the South Florida bulls Feb. 27, 2021.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer falls to Texas, turns focus to home opener at the Diz

By Jose Tovar | Aug. 28, 2022

Florida soccer suffered its second loss in a row Sunday afternoon after allowing an 80th minute goal. The Gators battled, but eventually fell to the Texas Longhorns.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball wraps up Gators Invitational with victories over East Tennessee and Virginia

By Ethan Eibe | Aug. 27, 2022

Florida volleyball rolled through East Tennessee and Virginia Saturday at the O’Dome to improve to 3-0 on the young 2022 season. Merritt Beason and Marina Markova combined for 46 kills across both games.

Florida's volleyball team celebrates during a match against Texas A&M on Oct. 16, 2021. The Gators kicked off their 2022 season with a four-set win over North Florida Friday night.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball regains composure midway through match to defeat North Florida in 2022 opener

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 27, 2022

Florida volleyball resurged after dropping the first set to defeat North Florida in the 2022 season opener.