sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (8) makes a diving catch during a football game between the Long Island Sharks and the Florida Gators on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

New look, new number, same work ethic: Vernell Brown III ready for breakout 2026

By Max Bernstein | Mar. 5

Stepping up to the podium Thursday following practice, sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III had changed. He trimmed his hair down to the shortest length since he joined Florida last spring. He changed his number from No. 8 to the famed No. 1, worn by past Gator greats including Percy Harvin. But one area of Brown did not change: His work ethic.

Florida right-handed pitcher Billy Barlow (23) winds up to throw a ptich during an NCAA baseball game against Florida A&M University, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators rally for gritty win against FAMU to take 13th straight victory

By Adrian Carmona | Mar. 4

Down two runs in the seventh inning, Florida needed a spark to keep a 12-game winning streak alive.

Florida forward Me'Arah O'Neal (8) tries to get open for an inbounding during the second quarter of an NCAA basketball game against Ole Miss, Thursday, Feb.26, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida advances in the SEC tournament with decisive victory

By Coral Uzgiden and Isis Snow | Mar. 4

At the bottom of the SEC bracket, there is no room for error. When Florida faced Mississippi State, the stakes stretched beyond one night in March. Win, and the postseason door stays open. Lose, and the season likely comes to an end.

Florida infielder Ethan Surowiec (10) runs to first base during an NCAA baseball game against Florida International University, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators extend win streak to 12 games after defeating FAU

By Adrian Carmona | Mar. 3

No. 9 Florida (12-1) secured its 12th straight victory with a 4-0 win over the FAU Owls (6-6) at Condron Family Ballpark.

Florida Men’s Golf head coach J.C. Deacon talks with Florida’s Noah Kent during the Gators Invitational, an NCAA golf tournament, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida men’s golf finishes fifth in the Southern Highlands Collegiate

By Colby Kistner | Mar. 3

Florida hovered around third to fifth place throughout the entire Southern Highlands Collegiate. The Gators faced eight other ranked teams, but struggled immensely in the second round, leading to a loss for Florida and ending its winning streak at four.

Florida edge rusher Jayden Woods (15) runs with the ball after an interception during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Oxford, Miss.

Sports

An educated decision: Behind UF EDGE Jayden Woods’ choice to return to Florida

By Curan Ahern | Mar. 3

Though Texas was a school that targeted him in the portal, a visit from Jon Sumrall and Florida coaches to Woods’ family in Kansas on Jan. 6 made all the difference in showing how genuine UF’s investment in him truly was.

Florida wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (2) runs through a drill during spring camp at the Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Alyvia Logan/The Alligator)

Sports

Jon Sumrall details initial injury report on first day of spring practice

By Ava DiCecca and Riley Orovitz | Mar. 3

After joking about those in orange jerseys being moved to the quarterback position, Gators head coach Jon Sumrall broke down the full injury report as spring practice kicked off. He said that he anticipates Tuesday’s report on the first day of spring to extend through the next 15 days of practice.

Florida infielder Ethan Surowiec (10) swings his bat during an NCAA baseball game against Kennesaw State Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Takeaways from Florida’s series “sweep” over Miami

By Adrian Carmona | Mar. 2

Not only did the Gators come out on top, but they did it convincingly, outscoring the ‘Canes 15-6 for the “sweep” as they moved up one spot to No. 9 in D1 Baseball’s Top 25 rankings after the weekend. The series finale on Sunday was cancelled due to lightning in the area.

Florida guard Alexia Dizeko (9) holds the ball during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against Auburn, Thursday, Feb. 5, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Alexia Dizeko’s last act in Orange and Blue

By Isis Snow | Mar. 2

Alexia Dizeko didn’t make her final regular-season home game about herself. After the final buzzer, there were no dramatic speeches or lingering goodbyes, just gratitude.

Florida’s Brooke Black hits the ball during an NCAA women’s tennis match against Safia Zenbi of Louisiana, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Brooke Black continues family tennis legacy, creates identity at Florida

By Sofia Alamo | Mar. 2

Tennis runs in Brooke Black’s blood. With a generational legacy in the sport, the Gator is stepping boldly into her own place in her family history.

Florida guard Emilija Dakic (7) and Florida center Caterina Piatti (14) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against Arkansas, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Gainesville, FL.

Sports

Liv McGill held under double figures for first time in 2026 as Gators fall to Bulldogs

By Logan McBride | Mar. 1

With four minutes left in the second quarter, Florida briefly found momentum. Guard Emilija Dakic hit back-to-back threes, and a Laila Reynolds steal led to an Alexia Dizeko basket, tying the game at 23 with Georgia.

Florida tennis player Pablo Perez Ramos celebrates during an NCAA tennis match against South Carolina, Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

South Carolina foils Florida in SEC home opener

By Ethan Feinberg | Mar. 1

Securing its first Southeastern Conference win over No. 41 Kentucky in a late-game thriller Friday was almost the right spark Florida (7-6, 1-3 SEC) needed to get back on track.

Florida outfielder Cash Strayer (26) runs to third base during an NCAA baseball game against Florida International University, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

No. 10 Florida baseball prevails against No. 17 Miami in dramatic fashion

By Ethan Feinberg | Feb. 28

As the No. 10 Gators (11-1) continued the pressure and struck the final nail in the coffin at the top of the ninth with a cracked double, intentional walk and three-run homer from sophomore infielder Ethan Suroweic, they defeated No. 17 Miami (10-2) 8-4 at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, Florida.

Florida sprinter Sydney Sutton competes in the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

Sports

From 11th to first: Florida women complete turnaround, claim 2026 SEC Indoor Championship

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Feb. 28

Saturday night, when the Gators walk out the doors of the Fasken Indoor Track and Field Facility at Texas A&M, they’ll do so with their heads held high, only weighed down by a trophy in their arms and an abundance of medals around their necks.

Florida distance runner Miguel Pantojas runs in the men’s 1000 during the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.

Sports

Distance podiums lead Florida men to fourth at SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships

By Logan McBride | Feb. 28

Multiple podium finishes in the distance events kept Florida competitive at the men’s SEC Indoor Championships, but the Gators’ efforts were only enough for fourth in the final team standings.

Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates after hitting her first career home run during a game against Georgia Tech at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (Alyvia Logan/The Alligator)

Sports

No. 4 Florida rolls past Oregon State with a pair of eight-run innings

By Zach Moore | Feb. 28

The dominant start propelled No. 4 Florida (23-1) to a 21-1 rout of Oregon State (9-10) on Saturday afternoon at Anderson Family Field. The Gators finish non-conference play 23-1 heading into SEC play next weekend.

Florida tennis player Lucie Pawlak returns during an NCAA tennis match against Oklahoma, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators outlast No. 11 Oklahoma in 4-3 thriller

By Sofia Alamo | Feb. 28

Florida (6-2) defeated No. 11 Oklahoma (10-4) in a close 4-3 home victory Saturday afternoon despite getting a slow start in doubles.

Florida midfielder Gabbi Koury (24) shoots during the first half of an NCAA lacrosse match against Michigan, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida falls to No. 10 Navy in narrow defeat

By Ethan Feinberg | Feb. 28

Florida (3-2) fell to Navy (5-0) 14-11 Saturday morning at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, after a second-half collapse.

Gators hockey winger Nicholas Ho sets up a shot against the South Carolina Gamecocks

Sports

Tampa downs Florida to advance to College Hockey South Championship

By Nicole Scura | Feb. 28

A goal by Liam Lecauchois offered a glimpse of hope for the Gators with 2:47 left, and it seemed Florida had a shot.

Florida infielder Kenleigh Cahalan (31) gets set before a pitch during a game against Longwood at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 20, 2025.

Sports

Walker go-ahead homer fuels No. 4 Florida over Loyola Marymount

By Zach Moore | Feb. 27

After a three-hour-long slugfest loss against UCLA, Florida had to regroup after its first loss of the year.