Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

A Florida football player during the Gators' game against Eastern Washington Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators return to action in rivalry matchup versus Georgia

By Jackson Castellano | Oct. 29, 2022

Just a year ago, Florida fell to the No. 1 Bulldogs in a lopsided affair. Three turnovers in the second quarter alone senta struggling Gators team back to Gainesville with very little to show. Now, Billy Napier and veteran members of the team must lead Florida against the 2022 Bulldogs, once again ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25.

Linebacker Jamer Bates (left), quarterback Eric Kresser (middle) and wide receiver Chris Doering (right) were members of the 1995 Florida football team.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Break off a branch: Gators score 52 between the hedges

By Joseph Henry | Oct. 25, 2022

The circumstances of this game were special. The annual neutral site meeting between the Southeastern Conference rivals had to shift away from its normal setting in Jacksonville for two seasons. The Gators handily one won both matchups, but the players involved knew the weight of getting the unique opportunity to go play “between the hedges.”

TIAA Bank Field, the home stadium of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, also serves as host for the annual Florida-Georgia game. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

The case for Jacksonville: How Florida-Georgia extends outside the stadium

By Jackson Castellano | Oct. 25, 2022

Although Florida-Georgia is set to remain in Jacksonville for the near future, controversy has emerged surrounding the location of the historic rivalry game. If relocated, the city of Jacksonville could face irreparable damages.

Running back Montrell Johnson Jr. is lifted up in celebration by offensive lineman Austin Barber after a Florida touchdown against LSU Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Struggling Gators face upcoming test against Bulldogs

By Topher Adams | Oct. 24, 2022

No. 1 Georgia is the current measuring stick for Florida football. Year one under Billy Napier has been up-and-down, but the program is building to eventually compete with the top-ranked Bulldogs.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Florida redshirt sophomore cornerback Jaydon Hill returns his first career interception 49 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of the Gators' win over the Missouri Tigers Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida triumphs over Missouri in career game for Jaydon Hill

By Jackson Castellano | Oct. 8, 2022

The Gators defeated Mizzou 24-17 in the Swamp Saturday afternoon. Florida’s defense came up huge, as head coach Billy Napier’s offense bloomed late in the game. The Gators’ offense picked up 232 of their 297 total yards in the second half.

Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall races up the sideline on his way to the endzone during the Gators' game against Eastern Washington Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida looks to end SEC slide against Missouri on homecoming

By Topher Adams | Oct. 7, 2022

The Gators will look to break its six-game SEC losing streak when it hosts the Tigers Saturday afternoon. It’s also homecoming weekend in the Swamp, further adding to the festivities of Saturday’s game.

Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III during the Tigers' game against Abilene Christian Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Photo by Alexander Daggett of The Maneater.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Know Your Enemy: Missouri Tigers

By Joseph Henry | Oct. 7, 2022

Before either Florida or Missouri claims its first Southeastern Conference win of the season, the Alligator's sports editor Joseph Henry connected with sports editor of the Maneater — the University of Missouri's independent news publication — Brandon Haynes to discuss the eastern division clash.

Florida redshirt freshman quarterback Jalen Kitna saw his first action as a Gator Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. He completed eight passes for 152 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Washington.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators rout Eastern Washington, get back in the win column

By Joseph Henry | Oct. 2, 2022

Florida defeated EWU 52-17 Sunday afternoon inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators looked dominant in each phase of the game on the way to their largest margin of victory this season. Offensively it was a balanced attack; UF complimented 392 passing yards with 274 yards on the ground.

Florida freshman running back Trevor Etienne celebrates a late game touchdown with his offensive line during the Gators' game against South Florida Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators hopeful for return to winning ways against Eastern Washington

By Jackson Castellano | Oct. 1, 2022

Florida has an opportunity to move above .500 and showcase its peak form Sunday against Eastern Washington. The responsibility falls on the Gators to seize it.

Coach Billy Napier walks through a crowd of fans during Gator Walk Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football postpones game to Sunday

By Topher Adams | Sep. 27, 2022

Florida announced Saturday’s football game against the Eastern Washington Eagles is postponed to Sunday at noon due to Hurricane Ian. The move comes after UF canceled classes Wednesday through Friday this week due to the storm.

Florida head coach Billy Napier looks on during the Gators game against South Florida Sept. 17, 2022. His team has dropped its first two conference games this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida overwhelmed by defensive shortcomings, still winless in SEC

By Jackson Castellano | Sep. 26, 2022

Mistakes made by defensive coordinator Patrick Toney’s unit were too much to overcome as the Gators were sent home from Knoxville still winless in the Southeastern Conference. Now-unranked Florida fell to now-No. 8 Tennessee 38-33. Despite the close score, the game seemed all but over heading into the fourth quarter. The Volunteers held a three possession lead over head coach Billy Napier.

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson during the Gators' game against the Kentucky Wildcats Sept, 10, 2022. Richardson accounted for four of Florida's five touchdowns in Knoxville, Tennessee, Saturday but couldn't keep pace with the Volunteers offense.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida can’t make magic happen in Knoxville, drops first road game

By Topher Adams | Sep. 24, 2022

The Gators fell 38-33 on the road against Tennessee. Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker had a career day, throwing for 349 yards and running for an additional 112. Richardson had a bounceback performance for the Gators, throwing for a career-high 453 yards and adding 62 on the ground, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with the UT offense.