Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Michigan's Jarrod Wilson intercepts a pass from UF quarterback Treon Harris in the endzone during the Wolverines' 41-7 win against the Gators in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016, in Orlando.

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SOUR ENDING: Florida blown out by Michigan in Citrus Bowl

By Luis Torres | Jan. 1, 2016

ORLANDO — Florida’s defense has been its backbone all season.

UF defensive coordinator Geoff Collins speaks during a press conference at the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 30, 2015, in Orlando.

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Defense will be on display in Citrus Bowl

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 30, 2015

Florida’s defense has garnered a good deal of hype entering Friday’s Citrus Bowl contest against Michigan, and deservedly so.

The University of Michigan football team beats Minnesota, 29-26, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Oct. 31, 2015.

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Florida not turning the other cheek with Michigan tight end Jake Butt

By Luis Torres | Dec. 30, 2015

ORLANDO — Michigan tight end Jake Butt brings a dynamic to the Wolverines’ offense that the Florida defense hasn’t seen much this season.

UF's Kelvin Taylor rushes during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Kelvin Taylor believes decision to leave for NFL Draft was right one

By Luis Torres | Dec. 28, 2015

ORLANDO — When Kelvin Taylor shuts off the lights after a long day and goes to bed, he can’t sleep. Instead, he finds himself thinking about the biggest decision he made in his life.

UF offensive lineman Mason Halter goes in for a block during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Two Gators suspended for bowl game against Michigan

By Luis Torres | Dec. 27, 2015

Florida will be without two players during its bowl game against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day.

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Three more Gators to enter NFL Draft

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 21, 2015

The list of Gators declaring for the NFL Draft continues to grow.

UF quarterback Will Grier drops back to pass during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky

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Jim McElwain addresses Will Grier's transfer request

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 21, 2015

Jim McElwain didn’t see it coming.

UF defensive lineman Alex McCalister walks off the field after warmups prior to Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina.

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Report: Gators dismiss defensive lineman Alex McCalister

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 19, 2015

Saturday was graduation day at the UF, but it was also a day of unexpected departures for the school’s football team.

UF quarterback drops back to pass during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Will Grier to transfer from UF

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 19, 2015

Will Grier’s time with the Florida Gators is over.

UF defensive lineman Caleb Brantley lines up during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Gators defensive lineman Caleb Brantley announces he's returning next season

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 18, 2015

Caleb Brantley is coming back.

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Top kicker Eddy Pineiro commits to the Gators

By Luis Torres | Dec. 15, 2015

Florida’s kicking woes may soon be a thing of the past.

Will Grier runs onto the field during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. West Virginia announced on April 6, 2016, that Grier was transferring to WVU.

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Will Grier to rejoin Gators after bowl game

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 15, 2015

UF quarterback Will Grier, who is in the midst of serving a 12-month suspension for failing an NCAA-sanctioned drug test, will not be with the Gators as they prepare for their Citrus Bowl matchup against Michigan.

Vernon Hargreaves III returns an interception 36 yards during Florida's 38-10 win against Ole Miss on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Vernon Hargreaves III and Jon Bullard named AP All-Americans

By Luis Torres | Dec. 13, 2015

Two players on Florida’s defense have been named AP All-Americans.

UF linebacker Jarrad Davis tackles Florida State running back Dalvin Cook during Florida's 27-2 loss on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Jarrad Davis' return for next season strengthens the Gators

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 8, 2015

While much has deservedly been made about the skill of the seniors, Jim McElwain knows Florida’s remarkable 10-3 record this season couldn’t have been possible without the progression and subsequent contributions of the team’s underclassmen.

UF defensive lineman Jon Bullard (90) goes for a tackle during Florida's 28-27 win against Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Five Gators named to coaches' All-SEC teams

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 8, 2015

Five Florida players found themselves on the coaches’ All-Southeastern Conference first and second teams, which were announced Tuesday afternoon.

Jim McElwain walks on the field of the Georgia Dome during warmups prior to Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the 2015 SEC Championship Game.

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Florida begins bowl preparation

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 7, 2015

Bowl games might count on season records, but bowl season is unlike any other part of the year.

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Alabama running back Derrick Henry headlines Heisman Trophy finalists

By Luis Torres | Dec. 7, 2015

And then there were three.

UF coach Jim McElwain smiles in the huddle during practice on Dec. 4, 2015, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Despite SEC title game loss, McElwain still exceeded expectations in Year 1

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 6, 2015

ATLANTA — On Dec. 5, 2014, Jim McElwain stepped off of a UAA private plane at the Gainesville Regional Airport.

UF's Antonio Callaway returns a punt 85 yards for a touchdown during Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Game on Dec. 5, 2015, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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UF’s special teams proves to be mixed bag in Atlanta

By Luis Torres | Dec. 6, 2015

ATLANTA — The last time Florida had a punt and a field goal blocked in the same game was against South Carolina last season, ultimately costing former coach Will Muschamp his job.

UF's David Sharpe (78), Jake McGee (83) and Bryan Cox (94) walk off the field at the Georgia Dome following Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5, 2015, in Atlanta.

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IT WASN'T PEACHES & CREAM: Gators fall to Crimson Tide in SEC Championship Game

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 5, 2015

ATLANTA -- There weren’t many who expected the Gators to show up in Atlanta and roll the Crimson Tide.