Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Cornerback CJ Henderson (right) exited Saturday’s game against Georgia with a lower back injury. Coach Dan Mullen said the sophomore didn’t sustain any structural damage.

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Henderson not missing time, will be ready for Drew Lock and Missouri

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 31, 2018

It seemed like a routine tackle at first.

Quarterback Emory Jones (right) has only two games of leeway remaining on his freshman redshirt.

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The weirdness of Florida-Georgia was front and center

By Alanis Thames | Oct. 29, 2018

A fired-up Dan Mullen had to be dragged from the field by the rim of his khaki pants.

The Gators' defense held Georgia to a six-play, 0-yard drive that started at Florida's 1-yard line. The drive lasted nearly four minutes and ended with a Bulldogs field goal.

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Even in a tough loss, Florida was resilient

By Mark Stine | Oct. 27, 2018

Feleipe Franks couldn’t fumble from his own one-yard line, but he did. Georgia recovered, looking to put Florida to bed with two unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter.

Running back Jordan Scarlett fumbled on his first rushing attempt of the afternoon. He ended the day with 56 yards on eight carries.

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Turnovers, mistakes prove costly as Georgia defeats Florida in Jacksonville

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 27, 2018

UF running back Jordan Scarlett probably wishes he could re-do his first carry of the day.

Former Georgia running backs Nick Chubb (pictured) and Sony Michel ran for a combined 214 yards in last season's Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville.

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Three key points for the Gators this weekend

By Alanis Thames | Oct. 25, 2018

Rayshad Jackson called it a distraction.

The Florida-Georgia rivalry will be rekindled this weekend in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs defeated the Gators handily a season ago after suffering three straight losses in the rivalry game.

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Q&A with Red and Black assistant sports editor Michael Hebert

Oct. 24, 2018

We sat down with the assistant sports editor of Georgia’s independent student newspaper, Michael Hebert, to ask him some questions about this weekend’s UF-UGA game. Here’s what he had to say.

Chicago Bears tight end Trey Burton caught nine passes for a career-high 126 yards Sunday in a 38-31 loss to New England on Sunday.

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Gators in the NFL: Burton shines, Tabor nets career day

By Kyle Wood | Oct. 24, 2018

Week 7 of the NFL season did not stray from the status quo.

Wide receiver Josh Hammond didn't record a catch in last year's 42-7 loss to Georgia. "The past is the past," he said. "We have to let go of it.

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Feelings of last year now a distant memory for Gators

By Jake Dreilinger and Jake Dreiinger | Oct. 24, 2018

Running back Jordan Scarlett remembers the frustration of watching Florida-Georgia last year washing over him like a wave surrounding a rock.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) said the Gators are still working on fundamentals in practice. "You can't get complacent," he said.

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Florida-Georgia games have usually decided the SEC East. This year, it may decide the playoff.

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 21, 2018

Laura Rutledge and Tim Tebow announced SEC Nation was heading to Jacksonville to be on-site for the Gators’ matchup against Georgia. Rutledge, a UF graduate, made clear that the name of the rivalry has never been set in stone in a video posted to Twitter.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks has completed 56.6 percent of his passes this season, an improvement from his 54.6 mark a year ago.

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Midseason grades: How UF has done so far

Oct. 19, 2018

A bye week in football is like passing a class with a C: You hate to experience it, but you welcome it nonetheless.

Linebacker Rayshad Jackson (44) said the Gators are using their bye week to get younger players more experience for in-game situations. "Now this whole week, we're not coming in at 8:15, so we get enough sleep," he said.

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Gators using bye week to rest and recover

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 16, 2018

A tired Rayshad Jackson stood surrounded by a sea of reporters Tuesday night following Florida football’s night at the Indoor Practice Facility.

Receiver Kadarius Toney celebrates with teammates and fans after Florida’s win over Vanderbilt. Toney recorded nine yards on four catches and added a 27-yard run from the wildcat position.

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What if the Gators run the table?

By Morgan McMullen and Morgan Meets the Eye | Oct. 15, 2018

The 2018 Gators — despite what you saw on the field in the first half of their 37-27 win over Vanderbilt — are a good football team. Good football teams respond after an opponent with inferior talent goes up 18. Good football teams win consecutive ball games against ranked SEC opponents.

Running back Lamical Perine jumps away from a Vanderbilt defender. He compiled 215 total yards in the Gators' 37-27 victory over the Commodores.

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Observations: UF thrives on run game and Mullen’s play calling

By Alanis Thames | Oct. 14, 2018

Every part of Saturday’s game seemed to break the Vanderbilt Commodores’ way before No. 11 Florida rallied to edge out their conference rivals 37-27 in Nashville, Tennessee.

UF coach Dan Mullen and quarterback Feleipe Franks gameplan during Florida's comeback win over Vanderbilt, 37-27. Franks passed for a career-high 284 yards along with two touchdowns despite two turnovers.

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Sidebar: Gators escape Nashville despite undisciplined play

By Mark Stine | Oct. 14, 2018

The word “targeting” was uttered by the head referee and blasted over the loudspeakers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Then, chaos ensued.

Running back Jordan Scarlett (25) rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 37-27 win over Vanderbilt.

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Gators show offensive prowess in come-from-behind victory against Vandy

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 13, 2018

The gap running back Jordan Scarlett ran through couldn’t have been any wider.

Linebacker David Reese (33) and the Gators defense will have their hands full dealing with Vanderbilt running backs Khari Blasingame (23) and Ke'Shawn Vaughn this Saturday.

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Florida tries to avoid "trap game" against Vanderbilt

By Mark Stine | Oct. 11, 2018

The term “trap game” has been tossed around a lot this week leading up to No. 14 Florida’s road game with Vanderbilt.

Buchholz High School safety Trent Whittemore said he was shocked when former coach Jim McElwain — who recruited him to UF — was let go by the university. “If (coach Dan Mullen’s staff was) gonna honor my commitment, I was gonna stay with it,” he said.

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Gators 2019 commit talks recruitment, coaching changes

By Kyle Wood | Oct. 10, 2018

Trent Whittemore has only ever had his sights set on one goal. He came of age just a few miles down the street from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. He patiently waited for that call from the University of Florida.

Tight end Moral Stephens (82) has six catches for 76 yards and three touchdowns this season. He spent last season as a backup to starter C'yontai Lewis and hadn't caught a touchdown pass until this year.

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Stephens receiving chance to shine in his final season

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 10, 2018

Moral Stephens’ mom had always told him to be patient and wait for his time to come.

Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) was pressured by LSU defensive players on seven of his nine incompletions in the second half of the Gators’ 27-19 win Saturday.

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Under pressure: Franks needs more time

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 7, 2018

“Feleipe Franks isn’t as good of a quarterback as Joe Burrow.”

Edge rusher Jachai Polite's Twitter handle is @RetireMoms. He wants to make sure his mother is financially secure for the rest of her life.

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Polite, Joseph fuel Gators defense in win against LSU

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 6, 2018

Update Oct. 8, 1:30 a.m.: