Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida linebacker Michael Taylor blocks an opponent during UF’s 27-14 victory against Bowling Green on Sept. 1, 2012.

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Taylor enjoying role increase for Florida defense

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 2, 2013

Linebacker Michael Taylor wears his heart on his sleeve.

Brent Pease walks on the field and watches warm-ups prior to Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Florida’s second-year offensive coordinator took the Gators’ quarterbacks for a nature walk near their hotel prior to the game.

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Offensive coordinator takes UF quarterbacks on nature walk

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 1, 2013

Several Gators heard their phones buzz and ring on Saturday morning.

Austin Hardin attempts a field goal during Florida’s 24-7 win against Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington, Ky. Hardin has made four of his seven tries this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Replacing Easley tough task

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 1, 2013

Damien Jacobs did not lose just a teammate on the practice field when Dominique Easley was injured on Tuesday.

Dominique Easley (2) pushes through two opposing players during Florida’s 31-17 win against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Injured defensive tackle plans to enter 2014 NFL Draft

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 30, 2013

Dominique Easley’s career with the Gators is finished.

Tyler Murphy attempts a pass during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Murphy still adjusting to new role

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 30, 2013

Two days after winning his first start for the Gators, Tyler Murphy was talking about First Take.

Jaylen Watkins (14) tackles Kentucky wide receiver Alexander Montgomery during the Gators’ 24-7 victory against the Wildcats on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

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Watkins becoming versatile member of Florida secondary

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 30, 2013

Coach Will Muschamp called him first-class.

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Gators in the NFL: Former Florida safety notches six tackles in second start

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Sep. 30, 2013

With Week 4 of the NFL season in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Dante Fowler Jr. awaits a snap by the Wildcats. The sophomore Buck linebacker collected two of Florida’s five sacks while limiting Kentucky to 173 yards of offense.

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Fowler fills void for Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 29, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — With senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley out for the season with a torn ACL and medial meniscus, Florida’s defense needed someone to step up to lead the unit.

Matt Jones runs down the field during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Sept. 28 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

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Jones rushes for career-high 176 yards in Florida win

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 28, 2013

Coach Will Muschamp called Matt Jones into his office on Monday.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Murphy completed 15 of 18 passes for 156 yards during his first college start.

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NO EXCUSES: Gators beat ‘Cats again

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 28, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After a week from hell, No. 20 Florida traveled to the Bluegrass State in need of a boost.

Dante Fowler Jr. celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Volunteers.

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Fowler hoping to build on strong showing

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 26, 2013

Dante Fowler Jr. had two weeks to wait for, visualize and put into action his plan to wreak havoc on the Tennessee offense.

Solomon Patton scores a touchdown during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Patton is Florida’s leading receiver in 2013.

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Patton emerging as playmaker in final season with Gators

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 25, 2013

Solomon Patton did not play much his first three seasons.

Offensive lineman Jon Halapio blocks during Florida’s 27-20 win against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators offensive line healthy after numerous injuries to begin ‘13

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 25, 2013

Nearly a month into the season, No. 20 Florida will finally have its full complement of offensive linemen.

Dominique Easley forces a fumble during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Easley is out for the season after suffering tears to the ACL and meniscus in his right knee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Easley out for season after suffering tears to ACL, meniscus

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 25, 2013

No. 20 Florida will be without another top playmaker for the rest of this season.

Matt Jones fumbles during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Coach Will Muschamp plans to split carries between Jones and Mack Brown moving forward this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida to feature Jones and Brown at tailback position

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 24, 2013

After missing Florida’s season opener against Toledo on Aug. 31 due to a viral infection, Matt Jones was expected to boost Florida’s running game to the next level upon his return.

Second-year offensive coordinator Brent Pease speaks with coach Will Muschamp during warm-ups prior to Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Driskel still helping Gators

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 24, 2013

Jeff Driskel will undergo season-ending surgery today to repair a fractured fibula in his lower right leg.

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Mornhinweg new backup following Driskel injury

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 24, 2013

Skyler Mornhinweg is in a position he never thought he would find himself this season — one snap away from becoming No. 20 Florida’s starting quarterback.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 31-17 win against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The junior quarterback replaced an injured Jeff Driskel and completed 8 of 14 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Quarterback relishes new opportunity

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 23, 2013

When Jeff Driskel went down with a season-ending injury against Tennessee, backup quarterback Tyler Murphy took advantage of a golden opportunity.

Kyle Christy punts the ball during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Halapio fine after grisly eye injury

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 23, 2013

When right guard Jon Halapio fell to his knees during the first quarter against Tennessee on Saturday, it appeared as if the redshirt senior had re-aggravated the partially torn pectoral muscle that caused him to miss Florida’s first two games of the season.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Chicago Bears strong safety Major Wright (21) and cornerback Tim Jennings on Sept. 8 at Soldier Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Former UF safety returns pick for touchdown

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Sep. 23, 2013

With Week 3 of the NFL season in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.