Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Georgia running back Sony Michel (1) out runs Missouri linebacker Cale Garrett (47) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won 53-28. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators focused on stopping Georgia backs Chubb and Michel

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 26, 2017

Michel and Chubb. Chubb and Michel. The more you hear those names in Saturday’s game, the more it means the No. 3 Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC) are doing what they want. Running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are the focal points of a Georgia offense that will face Florida (3-3, 3-2 SEC) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Jacksonville. The two backs blow through tackles, break defenses with long runs and rank top 10 in the SEC in rushing yards per game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Callaway, Scarlett agree to enter pretrial intervention program

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 26, 2017

Seven of Florida’s nine players accused of credit card fraud are taking the first steps back to becoming eligible to rejoin the team. Receiver Antonio Callaway, running back Jordan Scarlett, defensive lineman Keivonnis Davis, receiver Rick Wells, linebacker James Houston, linebacker Ventrell Miller and defensive lineman Richerd Desir-Jones have agreed to enter a pretrial intervention program, which would lead to the dismissal of charges if completed, according to court documents posted by Alachua County public records.

Kadarius Toney carries the ball during Florida's 28-27 victory over Kentucky on Sept. 23, 2017, at Kroger Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Gators’ Kadarius Toney, Tyrie Cleveland probable to play against Georgia

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 25, 2017

Kerry Dixon saw it in the spring.

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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With history on their side, Gators have no fear of Georgia

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 24, 2017

Jeremiah Moon knows how important a win on Saturday is.

UF coach Jim McElwain said Wednesday that Florida coaches are receiving death threats because of the team's performance. “In this business, we're the ones they take the shots at and that's the way it is,” McElwain said.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jim McElwain says death threats are ‘part of the business’

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 23, 2017

Off to their worst start since Jim McElwain took over as head coach, criticism seems to surround the Gators (3-3, 3-2 SEC). On Wednesday, that negativity took a turn for the dramatic when McElwain said some people have sent death threats to UF coaches and their families.

Gators receiver Kadarius Toney (17) hasn't played since Florida's 17-16 loss to LSU on Oct. 7. Toney, a freshman, suffered a separated shoulder and was "very limited" in practice last week, UF coach Jim McElwain said.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Depleted Gators open as 14.5-point underdogs to Georgia

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 22, 2017

UF receiver Dre Massey said he’s never been on a team with so many season-ending injuries.

UF defensive lineman Jordan Sherit gets carted off the field during Florida's 19-17 loss to Texas A&M. Coach Jim McElwain confirmed on Wednesday that Sherit underwent season-ending surgery earlier this week.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain confirms Gators defensive end Jordan Sherit is out for the season

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 18, 2017

Jordan Sherit fell to the turf, propped himself up by the elbow and reached for his right hip. When Florida’s trainers arrived, he lied down and tugged at his facemask in pain. He hobbled to the sideline using the trainers as crutches. Finally, he was carted off the field, tightening his face with each movement and giving a thumbs up near the tunnel. But the thumbs up was just sentiment.

Despite a dominant performance on defense, Florida's offense failed to outscore Texas A&M in the Swamp on Saturday night. "I feel like the defense always does enough," defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson (right) said after the game.

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BEYOND REPAIR: No solution in sight for scoring struggles

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 15, 2017

Coach Jim McElwain stood in front of reporters and ran through his postgame clichés.

Jordan Sherit (17) attempts to get past a blocker during Florida's 19-17 loss against Texas A&M on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Notebook: Veteran defensive lineman Jordan Sherit injured

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 14, 2017

There had already been so many. There was the ACL injury during his senior year of high school. There was the season ending injury in 2014. There was the time when a teammate rolled onto his leg against Florida State last year, ending his year.

Florida lost to Texas A&M 19-17 on Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after surrendering nine unanswered points to close out the game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators fall to Aggies after allowing trio of fourth-quarter field goals

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 14, 2017

Tyrel Dodson knew the throw was coming.

Jordan Sherit (17) gets ready on defense during Florida's 33-17 loss against Michigan on Sept. 2, 2017, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

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Rejuvenated: Jordan Sherit making the most of his final season at UF

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 12, 2017

As Jordan Sherit lay sprawled out on the ground of Doak Campbell Stadium, staring into the sky with tears in his eyes while Florida’s training staff attended to his knee, he couldn’t help but question his future as a college football player.

UF coach Jim McElwain motions to the Gators defense during Florida's 28-27 win against Kentucky on Saturday at Kroger Field.

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Gators facing must-win game vs. Texas A&M

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 12, 2017

Florida emerged from the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium last Saturday favored against the visiting LSU Tigers. It didn’t matter. Despite oddsmakers initially favoring the Gators by 3.5 points, Florida lost by one, leaving LSU players dancing on the field. It was coach Jim McElwain’s second-ever loss in The Swamp in 15 tries.

UF defensive end Jachai Polite celebrates during Florida's 17-16 loss to LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Expect big things: Jachai Polite’s hard work is finally paying off

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 12, 2017

Jachai Polite saw it coming.

Defensive lineman Tedarrell Slaton tries to get past a Tennessee offensive lineman during Florida's 26-20 win against the Volunteers on Sept. 16, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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360-pound freshman Tedarrell Slaton making his presence felt

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 12, 2017

Taven Bryan calls him Shrek. Jim McElwain calls him one of the “Bam Bam” kids. Jordan Sherit calls him the 400-pound freshman from Fort Lauderdale.

Vosean Joseph (left), Jordan Sherit (middle) and David Reese get ready on defense during Florida's 17-16 loss against LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Gators defense still looking to force team's first fumble

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 10, 2017

The players were still in their meeting room. The coach had left, but Jordan Sherit knew this issue needed to be addressed. He felt responsible: Florida has caused five turnovers this season, tied for 104th in the nation.

Feleipe Franks finished 17-of-38 with a pair of touchdowns and an interception in Saturday's loss against Kentucky, the program's first since 1986.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

With one of the slowest offenses in college football, Gators want to ramp up tempo

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 9, 2017

Rhythm, pace and communication were three offensive pillars noticeably lacking in the Gators’ 17-16 loss to LSU on Saturday.

Special teams player Garrett Stephens gets carted off the field during Florida's 17-16 loss to LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: UF dealing with player shortages at nearly every position

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 9, 2017

It started with the suspensions. First, the loss of starting wideout Antonio Callaway, then starting running back Jordan Scarlett. Add in a backup left tackle, a couple backup linebackers and three defensive linemen, and Florida was facing depth shortages all over the field following the nine suspensions for possible credit card fraud ahead of the season. After this past weekend’s loss to LSU, the numbers are even worse, and they span the entire field.

Chauncey Gardner, Jr. tackles LSU running back Derrius Guice during Florida's 17-16 loss against the Tigers on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

WAKE-UP CALL: Florida forced to re-evaluate after loss to LSU

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 8, 2017

The ball was tilted, sure. Leaning slightly to the left. The hold was a bit awkward, and the kick could have been straighter, and the score could have been different. But they weren’t.

Eddy Pineiro's missed extra point against LSU ended up being a difference-maker in UF's 17-16 loss.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators kicker Eddy Pineiro’s miss stings harder because of his history

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 7, 2017

Eddy Pineiro’s right foot has redefined the word “kicking.”

Gators running back Lamical Perine ran for two touchdowns against LSU, his second multi-score game in a row.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Three bright spots for Florida in Homecoming loss to LSU

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 7, 2017

Florida’s 17-16 loss to LSU showcased the Gators’ struggles to stop opponents on third down, a lack of preparation for pre-snap trickery, and the absence of a sense of urgency when the game was on the line.