Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF athletic director Scott Stricklin observes the Florida football team during its game against Eastern Washington Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Stricklin to serve as bridge for athletics between Fuchs’ presidency, his successor

By Kyle Bumpers | Oct. 24, 2022

UF President Kent Fuchs was faced with the tough task of replacing one of the most decorated athletic directors in SEC history within his first two years at UF. Sen. Ben Sasse is currently in line to take over for Fuchs as he’s the sole candidate to be named president of the university. Sasse, or whoever becomes the next president, likely won’t have this same hurdle as Stricklin is set to be in charge for the foreseeable future. Stricklin’s set to work with the next university president as he’s under contract until 2027.

Sophomore defender Madison Young during Florida's match with Arkansas Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer misses out on SEC Tournament for the first time ever

By Jose Tovar | Oct. 23, 2022

No. 3 Alabama rolled past Florida 2-0 Sunday to sink the Gators to the bottom of the standings. After chaining losses to Vanderbilt and the Crimson Tide this week, Florida’s been eliminated from contention for the 10-team SEC tournament for the first time in program history.

Florida sophomore defender Madison Young controls possession during the Gators' match with Arkansas Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators lose high-scoring match to Vanderbilt

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 20, 2022

The Vanderbilt Commodores beat the Florida Gators 5-2 Thursday night at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The Commodores scored three of their goals in the opening 45 minute and never looked back.

Libero Elli McKissock (left), defensive specialist Trinity Adams (center) and outside hitter Marina Markova prepare for a point during Florida's match with the LSU Tigers Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Unranked Georgia Bulldogs upset Gators in the O’Dome

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 20, 2022

No.11 Florida was defeated by Georgia in three sets (22-25, 23-25, 20-25) Wednesday night. The Gators struggled, posting a .090 hitting percentage and failing to adjust to the Bulldogs’ waves of points.

Florida sophomores Bente Spee (left) and Alicia Dudeney (right) at the ITA All-American Championships. Photo courtesy of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida impresses with a deep run in the doubles bracket

By Zachary Curtin | Oct. 18, 2022

The Gators leave Atlanta with momentum as Dudeney and Briggs finish second in the doubles main draw.

The Florida soccer team huddles pregame before its match with the Arkansas Razorbacks Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators stay resilient despite season struggles

By Jose Tovar | Oct. 18, 2022

This season, the Gators have navigated through injuries, losses and a strict schedule as the program hopes to rebuild following one of the most forgettable seasons in school history. So far, Florida holds a 2-11-1 record with a 0-6-1 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Despite the unimpressive record, Bohon is confident the team is heading in the right direction.

LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. after a reception with UF cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. in coverage Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida defense falters on big stage against Tigers

By Jackson Castellano | Oct. 17, 2022

The Gators fell to LSU for the fourth-straight season, 45-35. Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels lit up the UF defense to the tune of 349 yards through the air and a career-high six total touchdowns. The Tigers scored on their first six drives of the game.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer draws at Kentucky, snaps eight-match losing streak

By Jose Tovar | Oct. 16, 2022

With the 1-1 draw, the Gators snapped an eight-match losing streak but extended their winless skid to nine. Florida has not won a match since Sept. 1, when it beat South Florida 2-1 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Freshman setter Alexis Stucky sets up middle blocker Gabrielle Essix during Florida's match with LSU Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No.13 Florida finishes trip to Starkville with another sweep against Mississippi State

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 16, 2022

No.13 Florida swept the Mississippi State Bulldogs in three sets (25-19, 25-19, 25-22) for the second time this weekend Saturday.

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson caught 15 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns during Florida's 36-30 triple-overtime win over the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Reconnecting with Demarcus Robinson

By Michael Hull | Oct. 16, 2022

AlligatorSports enterprise reporter Michael Hull spoke with former Gator and current Baltimore Raven Demarcus Robinson about his time at UF, winning a Super Bowl in Kansas City, “The Route” and more.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson during the second half of the Gators' 45-35 loss to the LSU Tigers Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. He broke off an 81-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but his team's comeback hopes fell short.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators geaux down, again: Tigers’ offense shreds Florida

By Topher Adams | Oct. 15, 2022

The Florida Gators fell at home to the Louisiana State Tigers 45-35 after a late fourth quarter surge. The Gators dropped their fourth straight to the Tigers. LSU racked up a staggering 528 yards of offense and scored touchdowns on each of its first six drives of the game.

UF senior outside hitter Marina Markova rises above the net for a spike against the LSU Tigers Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No.13 Florida extends winning streak to four with sweep of Mississippi State

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 15, 2022

No.13 Florida sweeped the Mississippi State Bulldogs in three sets (25-18, 25-22, 25-19) Friday. Florida extended its overall record against the Bulldogs to 54-1, while staying undefeated in 27 trips to Starkville, Mississippi.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson prepares to take a snap during the Gators' win over the Missouri Tigers Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida hosts LSU in cross-division rivalry match

By Topher Adams | Oct. 15, 2022

Florida has lost three straight games to LSU dating back to the Tigers’ National Championship season. Both programs are under new head coaches and looking for a pivotal conference win for the stretch run of the season.

LSU football junior quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) carries the ball down the field on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, during LSU’s 65-17 win over Southern at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Photo by Chloe Kalmbach | The Reveille

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Know Your Enemy: LSU Tigers

By Joseph Henry | Oct. 14, 2022

A new chapter of a classic cross-divisional rivalry gets written on Saturday night inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Before the Gators and Tigers take the field, the Alligator's sports editor Joseph Henry linked with the Reveille's sports editor Peter Rauterkus for this week's Know Your Enemy.

The Florida Gators landed two commitments for the 2023 class Thursday. (Photo from UF's game against South Florida Sept. 17, 2022)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF lands commitment from Top-100 defensive back Dijon Johnson

By Topher Adams | Oct. 13, 2022

Florida landed a pair of commitments from defensive backs in the 2023 class, headlined by blue-chip prospect Dijon Johnson.

The Florida volleyball team during pre-match introductions Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball adds Lauren Harden to 2024 recruiting class

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 13, 2022

Class of 2024 outside hitter Lauren Harden announced her verbal commitment to Gators volleyball via Instagram Tuesday.

Florida head coach Billy Napier patrols the sidelines during his team's win over Missouri Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Napier will come face to face with his ties to the state of Louisiana when the LSU Tigers visit Gainesville this week.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Louisiana ties highlight new era of Florida-LSU rivalry

By Topher Adams | Oct. 11, 2022

Billy Napier began his head coaching career less than 100 miles from LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Now he’ll host the Tigers in Gainesville, Florida, as the head man for the Gators.

Florida freshman Rachel Gailis at the ITA All-American Championships. Photo courtesy of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators sputter out after the ITA All-American prequalifying round

By Zachary Curtin | Oct. 10, 2022

The Gators battled in North Carolina for the ITA All-American Championship, but they fail to make any significant noise deep into the tournament.

Freshman Jonah Braswell competes at the ITA All-American Championships, which concluded play Oct. 8.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gator freshmen lead the way for men’s tennis in ITA All-American Championships

By Kyle Bumpers | Oct. 10, 2022

Five Gators — Braswell, Nirundorn, Tokac, junior Will Grant and senior Lukas Greif — held spots in the pre-qualifying round, while sophomore Nate Bonetto was placed in qualifying and graduate transfer Axel Nefve automatically advanced to the main draw. The team had three duos — Bonetto/Greif, Grant/Nefve and Nirundorn/Tokac — compete in the doubles qualifying draw.

Florida defenders Ventrell Miller, Brenton Cox Jr. and Gervon Dexter Sr. all combine for a sack of Missouri quarterback Brady Cook Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Miller, Hill pick up slack in Gators Homecoming win

By Joseph Henry | Oct. 10, 2022

On a day when the Florida offense came out sluggish in the first half, the performance of Jaydon Hill and Ventrell Miller are what will be remembered. The Gators defeated the Missouri Tigers Oct. 8 behind Hill's first two career interceptions and Miller's most tackles in a game this season.