Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Athletics director Jeremy Foley speaks to media Monday

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Athletics director looking for coach with history of offense success

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 17, 2014

Will Muschamp was the third to speak on Monday.

UF athletics director Jeremy Foley (left) and football coach Will Muschamp embrace following Florida's 34-10 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Johnson’s Journal: Muschamp just couldn’t get it done

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Nov. 17, 2014

Will Muschamp is a good man, and that’s why Jeremy Foley looked heartbroken Monday as he addressed a room full of cameras and reporters.

Florida coach Will Muschamp and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier shake hands following the Gators' 23-20 overtime loss to the Gamecocks on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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‘CHAMP TO CHOMP NO MORE: Will Muschamp to step down from head coach position after the regular season ends

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Nov. 16, 2014

Saturday was the final blow.

Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen, who spent four years as UF’s offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer, celebrates on the field after his Bulldogs defeated the Gators 10-7 in 2011.

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Five possible coaching candidates to replace Will Muschamp

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Nov. 16, 2014

With Sunday’s news that Will Muschamp will not be returning as Florida’s head coach next season, it’s time to talk coaching searches. Here are five candidates to replace Muschamp for the 2015 season. Note that all of my candidates have head coaching experience at a high level.

UF coach Will Muschamp speaks to reporters following Florida's 23-20 overtime loss against South Carolina on Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Blocked kicks prove costly in Florida's overtime loss to South Carolina

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Nov. 15, 2014

Two special teams gaffes by Florida gave South Carolina the opportunities it needed to stage a comeback and win 23-20 in overtime.

Treon Harris looks downfield for a receiver during Florida's 42-13 loss to Missouri on Oct. 18 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Picks Column: South Carolina

Nov. 13, 2014

Site: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Cap. 88,548)

Will Muschamp signals during UF's 38-20 win against UGA on Nov. 1 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

ON THE RISE: Florida looking to cap SEC play with win against struggling South Carolina

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Nov. 13, 2014

This year’s Florida-South Carolina game was supposed to be one of the marquee games within the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division — and it was thought by many to be the deciding factor for which team would represent the East in Atlanta for the SEC Championship.

Leon Orr walks off the field after a play in Florida’s 37-20 win against Tennessee on Sept. 15 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. Orr will miss Saturday’s game with the flu.

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Zoop’s Scoop: Leon Orr ditching the Gators proves he’s not a team player

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Nov. 13, 2014

When parents look for role models in the world of athletics, it’s easy to point out the stars that make the big plays, earn the big bucks and win the big games.

Florida wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood (left) and defensive back Jalen Tabor (5) celebrate with fans following UF's 38-20 win against UGA on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Air Jordan: Five matchups to watch in the Florida-South Carolina game

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 12, 2014

The Gators are on a roll as the season begins to die down. Florida (5-3, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) is riding a two-game win streak against SEC East opponents Georgia and Vanderbilt. With UF heading into its SEC finale — a noon matchup against South Carolina (4-5, 2-5 SEC) — here are five matchups to watch.

Jeff Driskel warms up prior to Florida's 34-10 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jeff Driskel embraces backup position

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 11, 2014

Jeff Driskel’s role on Florida’s offense changed in the blink of an eye.

Max Garcia blocks UGA linebacker Amarlo Herrera during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Garcia anchoring Florida's offensive line

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 10, 2014

Eight months ago, Max Garcia did not look ready to be Florida’s starting center.

Will Muschamp celebrates following Florida's 34-10 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘IF YOU GO HOME, YOU’RE DONE’: UF continues season without defensive lineman Leon Orr

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Nov. 9, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Three minutes and 41 seconds.

Treon Harris attempts a pass during Florida's 34-10 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida showcases balanced offensive attack against Vanderbilt

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Nov. 9, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn — The Florida offense made a 180-degree turn in just a week’s time — at least philosophically speaking.

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FREE REIN: Treon Harris excels in Florida's win against Vanderbilt

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 8, 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After losing to Vanderbilt last season for the first time since 1988, Florida was ready for revenge.

Vernon Hargreaves III makes a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Picks Column: Vanderbilt

Nov. 6, 2014

Site: Vanderbilt Stadium (Cap. 40,550)

Florida coach Will Muschamp looks down the field during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida heads to Vanderbilt with season still on the line

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Nov. 6, 2014

Will Muschamp has seen a fair share of streaks snapped during his tenure at Florida.

In this Oct. 27, 2012, file photo, South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore (21) rushes up field after taking the hand off from quarterback Connor Shaw, back, during an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Columbia, S.C.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Johnson’s Journal: Lattimore retiring is a loss for the sports world

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Nov. 5, 2014

The game of football is cruel by design. Run as fast as you can and collide with the person in the other color shirt. Take him down by any means necessary at times.

Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Morrison growing into leadership role on defense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 5, 2014

Antonio Morrison has work ethic.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to throw towards the end zone during the first quarter against Stanford in an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mariota, Prescott lead the way in alligatorSports Heisman ballots

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Nov. 4, 2014

AlligatorSports casted its third round of Heisman ballots on Tuesday. Here are the results.

Kelvin Taylor celebrates during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Former UF running back Fred Taylor proud of son, Florida football

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 4, 2014

Fred Taylor watched his son struggle this season.