Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF football coach Jim McElwain walks out of the visitor's tunnel prior to Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Who’s had a better first year: Jim Harbaugh or Jim McElwain?

By GRAHAM HALL | Oct. 21, 2015

First-year Florida coach Jim McElwain and first-year Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh have brought life to their respective programs. The Gators are 6-1, ranked No. 13 in the country and on top of the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. The Wolverines are 5-2 and ranked No. 16 in the country despite losses to two top-10 opponents. Both programs seem revitalized and their devoted fan bases are optimistic the teams will contend for a spot in the college football playoffs. AlligatorSports editor Graham Hall and managing/online editor Jordan McPherson debate which Jim has had the best start to the year considering the programs each coach took over.

UF's Austin Hardin connects on an extra-point attempt during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky

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Gators announce kicker out for season

By Luis Torres | Oct. 21, 2015

With the Gators holding kicker tryouts this week to try and find some more depth, coach Jim McElwain announced on Wednesday that kicker Jorge Powell is out for the season.

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Florida football holds kicker tryouts

By Luis Torres | Oct. 19, 2015

The Florida football team has had its share of kicking woes this year, and now the team is looking for some help.

UF tight end Jake McGee catches his first of two touchdown passes on Oct. 17, 2015, against LSU.

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Learning from the experience: Responding from first loss key for Florida football

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 18, 2015

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Gators traveled to LSU looking to continue the program’s rebirth that has come under new head coach Jim McElwain.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette carries the ball as he's chased by UF linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during the Tigers' 35-28 win against the Gators on Oct. 17, 2015, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Florida fails to stop LSU running back Leonard Fournette

By GRAHAM HALL | Oct. 18, 2015

BATON ROUGE, La. — For weeks, Florida had heard the hype surrounding LSU running back Leonard Fournette.

UF quarterback Treon Harris attempts to elude LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith during Florida's 35-28 loss to LSU on Oct. 17, 2015, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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MAD HATTER STRIKES AGAIN: Fake field goal proves to be dagger in UF's loss to LSU

By Luis Torres | Oct. 17, 2015

BATON ROUGE, La. — Les Miles has a made a habit throughout his career of coming up with trick plays.

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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Florida heads to Death Valley to face LSU

By Luis Torres | Oct. 15, 2015

A night game is the ideal atmosphere for college football.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette rushes during LSU's 45-24 win against South Carolina.

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Florida linebackers coach praises LSU backfield

By GRAHAM HACK | Oct. 14, 2015

Big. Powerful. Quick.

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Scouting UF’s next opponent: The LSU Tigers

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 13, 2015

A battle between undefeated top-10 teams will take place in Death Valley on Saturday when No. 8 Florida (6-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) takes on No. 6 LSU (5-0, 3-0 SEC).

UF quarterback Treon Harris (3) watches on from the sidelines during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky

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Gators react to Will Grier’s suspension

By Luis Torres | Oct. 13, 2015

Before Florida coach Jim McElwain and quarterback Will Grier addressed the media on Monday to discuss Grier’s failed drug test for performance-enhancing drugs, Grier had a chance to talk to his teammates.

UF quarterback Will Grier runs onto the field prior to Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Grier suspended one year for performance-enhancing drugs

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 12, 2015

Florida starting quarterback Will Grier has been suspended from the football team for 12 months following a violation of the NCAA’s substance-abuse policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Florida defensive back Jalen Tabor, left, celebrates with teammates after he returned an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, on Oct. 10 2015, in Columbia, Missouri.

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Third down is indeed the money down for the Gators’ defense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 11, 2015

The signs are present on the field.

UF running back Kelvin Taylor runs in for a touchdown during Florida's 21-3 win against Missouri on Oct. 10, 2015, at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri.

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‘NEVER SATISFIED’: Gators want 6-0 start to be just the beginning

By GRAHAM HALL | Oct. 11, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Few thought the Gators would be undefeated heading into Saturday’s road matchup against Missouri.

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UF achieves highest ranking in AP Poll since 2012 season

By Luis Torres | Oct. 11, 2015

The Florida football team has reached a height the program hasn’t seen in more than two seasons: A top-10 ranking in the AP Poll.

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TAKING A STAND: Strong defense, developing offense lift No. 11 Gators to road win over Missouri

By GRAHAM HALL | Oct. 10, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Jalen Tabor had dropped a sure-fire interception earlier in the game, but halfway through the third quarter, he made amends.

Missouri players celebrate after their 42-13 win against Florida on Oct. 18, 2014, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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‘Homecoming Revenge’: Gators looking to avenge 2014 loss

By Luis Torres | Oct. 8, 2015

Last year’s game against Missouri was an embarrassment for the Gators.

UF defensive end Alex McCalister attempts to sack Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly during Florida's 38-10 win against the Rebels on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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UF defensive line yet to reach prime this year

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 7, 2015

To the average fan, Florida’s defensive line has exceeded expectations so far this season.

Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel watches his team warm up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Connecticut Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Jim McElwain, Gary Pinkel to meet again when Gators face Tigers

By Luis Torres | Oct. 7, 2015

At first glance, Florida coach Jim McElwain and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel seem to have taken separate directions in their coaching careers without ever interacting with one another.

Linebacker Antonio Morrison pumps up the crowd during Florida's 38-10 win against Ole Miss on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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UF linebacker Antonio Morrison continues to impress

By GRAHAM HACK | Oct. 6, 2015

At first glance, Antonio Morrison’s success this season isn’t that surprising.

UF safety Marcus Maye goes in for a tackle during Florida's 38-10 win against Ole Miss on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Florida paying no mind to hype

By Luis Torres | Oct. 5, 2015

Restore the order.