Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips reacts after his team failed to make a first down against in their season-opening NCAA college football game against Louisville at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. Louisville won 32-14.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Kentucky downplaying 25-year losing streak

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Sep. 19, 2012

Joker Phillips is ignoring the elephant in the room.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Lendl following in family's footsteps

By CHARLES KINGSBURY | Sep. 19, 2012

* Editor's Note: A previous version of this story ran online at alligatorSports.org on Monday, Sept. 17.

Junior defensive lineman Dominique Easley (2) hypes the team up before running on to the field at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Easley questionable for Saturday’s game against Kentucky

By JOE MORGAN | Sep. 19, 2012

The Gators will face the top-ranked passing offense in the Southeastern Conference for a second consecutive week on Saturday. However, UF’s pass rush may be without defensive end Dominique Easley.

Junior defender Maggie Rodgers (5) gets past a Texas Tech defender on Sep. 2, 2011. Rodgers has filled in for injured All-American center back Kat Williamson.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Rodgers filling void in unusual spot

By LANDON WATNICK | Sep. 19, 2012

When redshirt senior Kat Williamson missed her first game on Sept. 9 with a right meniscus tear, junior Maggie Rodgers finally returned from a left ankle sprain she suffered in the summer.

Freshman Berkley Whaley (1) spike the ball over the net during Florida's match against Florida Gulf Coast at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Aug. 25.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Whaley’s early entry paying major dividends for Florida

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 19, 2012

When she was 17 years old, freshman Berkley Whaley decided to forego her final semester in high school in favor of workouts in Florida’s weight room.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Lendl notches first win

By CHARLES KINGSBURY | Sep. 18, 2012

Senior Isabelle Lendl earned the first outright win of her career on Tuesday at the Dale McNamara Invitational, bringing her scorecard for the tournament to a 210 (-6).

Sophomore Taylor Unroe (5) returns the ball against Florida Atlantic at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Aug. 24.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Unroe earns SEC award after stellar weekend on defense

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 18, 2012

For the second time in two weeks, Florida hauled in a Southeastern Conference weekly award through the work of an underclassman.

Freshman midfielder Christen Westphal pushes the ball against the defense of Florida International University in a 3-0 victory on Sept. 2, 2012.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Freshmen fit in like veterans for Florida

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Sep. 18, 2012

The Gators have 10 freshmen, but you wouldn’t know it from asking the players.

Sophomore quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) waits on the sidelines during UF's 37-20 victory over Tennessee at Neyland stadium on Saturday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Driskel’s the guy, Gators must put Brissett talk to bed

By ADAM PINCUS | Sep. 18, 2012

In a quarterback-driven sport, Florida has two guys capable of playing under center.

Receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. (85) tries for more yards after a catch at Neyland Stadium on Saturday against the Tennessee Volunteers.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Blocking key difference in UF’s success

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Sep. 18, 2012

Frankie Hammond Jr. didn’t want to take credit for one of Florida’s most exciting plays this season.

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) escapes pressure on Saturday during the Gators' 37-20 victory over Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Driskel drawing Tebow comparisons with rushing prowess

By ADAM PINCUS | Sep. 17, 2012

Jeff Driskel looks the part, but he’s not ready to compare himself to another running quarterback from Florida’s past.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Strong showings from Hedberg, Lendl help UF women's golf

By CHARLES KINGSBURY | Sep. 17, 2012

Florida is currently second after balancing its first two rounds at the Dale McNamara Invitational on Monday.

Florida redshirt freshman Gordon Watson hits a ball during the Bedford Cup on Sept. 15, 2012, at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Watson making early impact for UF men's tennis

Sep. 17, 2012

One year ago, Southeastern Conference tennis programs such as Georgia, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt sought highly touted recruit Gordon Watson.

Receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. (85) shoves aside a defender on his way to scoring a career-long 75-yard touchdown at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Rally: Does UF have enough playmakers to beat top-flight teams?

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Sep. 17, 2012

Josh: The biggest question about Florida entering the season was whether it would have enough effective skill

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Inexperienced Watson headlines group of Gators in tournament finals

Sep. 16, 2012

In only his second collegiate tournament, Gordon Watson is making a strong impression.

Adriana Leon (91) gets past Nicole Diperna (16) of Florida International University during UF's 3-0 win on Sept. 2. Leon scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Auburn on Sunday at the AU Soccer Complex.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Leon nets overtime winner as Florida defeats Auburn

By LANDON WATNICK | Sep. 16, 2012

Adriana Leon’s first goal in orange and blue was golden.

Gabby Mallette tips the ball over the net against Florida Gulf Coast at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center earlier this season. Despite having only one day to prepare for Kentucky, Mallette and fellow freshman Ziva Recek led Florida to a rare win in Lexington, Ky., on Sunday.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Mature freshmen spark win for Gators volleyball

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 16, 2012

While Kentucky had a week to prepare for Florida, the Gators only had one day to prepare for the Wildcats.

Florida linebacker Lerentee McCray (34) sprints with the ball after intercepting a pass from Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray (8) during a 37-20 victory over Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators record two turnovers in win against Volunteers

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 16, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tyler Bray’s throw might have been intended for Zach Rogers, but Lerentee McCray caught the pass.

Running back Trey Burton (8) sprints to the endzone in an 80-yard scamper for UF's second touchdown in its 37-20 victory over Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Burton's long score proves key; Gillislee struggles early, shines late

By ADAM PINCUS | Sep. 16, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With the Gators down a touchdown and looking for a spark, coach Will Muschamp outsmarted himself and put his team in a bind.

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) attempts a pass over the Tenneesee defense during a 37-20 victory against Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Driskel ready to carry Gators

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Sep. 16, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — When Will Muschamp named Jeff Driskel his starting quarterback the Monday after Florida’s season-opening 27-14 win over Bowling Green, his reasoning for doing so seemed obvious.