Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Quincy Wilson prepares for a play during Florida's 32-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Two players announce intentions to leave UF for NFL

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 3, 2017

Defensive back Quincy Wilson said he will declare for the NFL Draft.

Florida defensive backs Chauncey Gardner and Jalen Tabor celebrate during UF's 30-3 Outback Bowl victory over Iowa on Monday, Jan. 2, at Raymond James Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gardner’s Outback Bowl MVP award sign of bright future for UF defense

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 2, 2017

It didn’t take long for Chauncey Gardner’s teammates to reach him.

Mark Thompson dives for the end zone to cap an 85-yard touchdown catch during Florida's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football finishes 2016 with a win

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 2, 2017

Mark Thompson juked, sidestepped and stiff-armed Iowa defenders before sprinting into the end zone like something out of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch’s book with under two minutes left in the first half.

Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro attempts a field goal during UF's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl Monday at Raymond James Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Florida performs in all phases in Outback Bowl win

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 2, 2017

Standing beside the Outback Bowl trophy waiting to get on stage, Jim McElwain put his arm around Chauncey Gardner and smiled.

Florida's Mark Thompson (24) runs with the ball during UF's 45-7 win over Kentucky on Sept. 10, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Collins leaving UF, Thompson facing trespassing charge

By Patrick Pinak | Dec. 13, 2016

Florida’s defensive coordinator is on the move.

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Education’s database on Equity in Athletics. Numbers from Missouri and Texas A&M begin when they joined the SEC in 2012.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

The cost of winning: Comparing UF’s football spending to other SEC teams

By Matt Brannon | Dec. 12, 2016

From 2003-2014, only Auburn and Alabama spent more on football than UF.

Jordan Cronkrite (32) takes a break from Florida's Spring practice while running backs coach Tim Skipper (middle) watches Mark Thompson (24) run drills. The Gators practiced for two hours at the Sanders Practice Fields on March 30.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Sophomore running back leaving Florida

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 8, 2016

Jordan Cronkrite is leaving the Florida football program.

Austin Appleby, right, celebrates with Quincy Wilson after Florida's 16-10 win against LSU on Nov. 19, 2016, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roundtable: What was the most memorable moment of the 2016 season?

Dec. 5, 2016

There you have it, Gators fans.

Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 54-16 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3, 2016, in Atlanta.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

LIMPING TO THE FINISH: Gators get Outback Bowl after loss to Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 4, 2016

Tyrie Cleveland slumped in his locker with a towel covering his face. Antonio Callaway fell to the floor and stayed there, his jersey pulled up to cover his eyes.

Nick Saban celebrates after winning the SEC Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Georgia Dome.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: For Alabama, a blowout is still something to celebrate

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 3, 2016

ATLANTA — About six Alabama players — all wearing “2016 Southeastern Conference Champions” hats and T-Shirts — ran from the field to their locker room after the game hollering down the hallway.

Austin Appleby kneels on the field after Florida's 54-16 loss to Alabama on Dec. 3, 2016, in the SEC Championship Game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida falls in SEC title game for second-straight year

By IAN COHEN | Dec. 3, 2016

ATLANTA — Austin Appleby knelt on the field and gripped the helmet in his right hand.

Offensive lineman David Sharpe, right, stands over quarterback Austin Appleby during Florida's loss to Florida State on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: UF confident in chances vs. ‘Bama

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 29, 2016

Jim McElwain stood at the lectern on Monday and made a bold declaration. With a matchup against No. 1 Alabama — a team with the No. 1 scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense in the country — looming following a double-digit loss to Florida State, the second-year coach was asked about the obvious mismatch of his No. 114-ranked offense facing the elite Crimson Tide defense.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football: three things to know ahead of Alabama

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 29, 2016

As No. 15 Florida prepares for a matchup with No. 1 Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship game on Saturday, here are a few things to know from this week’s conversations with Florida’s players and coach Jim McElwain.

Jalen Tabor (31) claps before walking out of the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during Florida's 33-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF players: 'Anything can happen' against ‘Bama

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 29, 2016

Jalen Tabor remembers the feeling.

Coach Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 24-10 win over Georgia on Oct. 29, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain embracing opportunity against Alabama

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 28, 2016

So, Jim McElwain, is your offense ready for the mismatch it’s about to face in Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game against Alabama’s defense?