sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Kyle Trask (11) winds up, preparing to pass the football at the Gators' game against the Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Dec. 5, 2020.

Sports

Gators knockdown Volunteers despite cold start

By Christian Ortega | Dec. 5, 2020

Florida beat Tennessee 31-19, advancing to 8-1 and clinching the SEC East

Florida guard Kiara Smith scored 19 points in 35 minutes of the Gators' win over Cincinnati Saturday.

Sports

UF pounds Bearcats 81-58

By Declan Walsh | Dec. 5, 2020

The #Gators secured a quality win over Cincinnati Saturday, scoring 81 points to the Bearcats' 58.

Quarterback Kyle Trask (left) was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2020. He finished with the most passing touchdowns in the country that season (43) while racking up the second most passing yards (4,283). Tight end Kyle Pitts (right) was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2020. He finished the year with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite only playing in eight games.

Sports

No, the Gators aren’t this year’s LSU

By Brendan Farrell | Dec. 4, 2020

A wildly inconsistent defense and less productive run game keeps UF from reaching 2019 LSU's level of production.

Florida guard Kiara Smith contributed 15 points to her squad's win over Charleston Southern Wednesday.

Sports

UF bests Charleston Southern after slow start

By Declan Walsh | Dec. 2, 2020

The Gators defeated the Charleston Southern Buccaneers by 15 points Wednesday.

Sophomore Nina Rickards and the Gators take on Charleston Southern Wednesday at 5 p.m. for their second game of the season.

Sports

UF looks to bounce back against Charleston Southern

By Declan Walsh | Dec. 2, 2020

The Gators look to rebound from a tough loss to FSU when they take the court against CSU.

Kadzban holds the Rapa Nui flag. The flag depicts a Reimiro, a moon-shaped ornament worn by Easter Island natives, and two heads at each end of it.

Sports

Easter Island to Gainesville: Documenting Izzy Kadzban’s journey to international soccer

By Declan Walsh | Nov. 29, 2020

UF soccer player Izzy Kadzban's Rapa Nui roots paved the way for a decorated international soccer career prior to her college play.

Tre’Vez Johnson (16), Jesiah Pierre (40) and Rashad Torrence II (22) celebrate in the Gators game against Kentucky in The Swamp on Nov. 28.

Sports

You want ‘Bama? Don’t play like Saturday

By River Wells | Nov. 29, 2020

So far, Dan Mullen cleared his biggest hurdle.

Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller (32) at the Commodores' game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri, on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020.

Sports

Play like a girl

By River Wells | Nov. 29, 2020

Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller trotted on the field, stepped back from the tee and did her job.

Tight end Kyle Pitts celebrates after catching a touchdown pass versus Kentucky Nov. 28. Pitts projects as a top-10 pick in Thursday's NFL Draft.

Sports

Florida bests Kentucky in lackluster fashion

By Payton Titus | Nov. 28, 2020

UF beat UK 34-10 at The Swamp Saturday afternoon. It was Kyle Pitts' first game back since UGA.

Gators kicker Evan McPherson said that holidays away from home is one of the sacrifices he makes to play Division I football at UF.

Sports

Turkey or Pigskin?: How the Gators are spending their Thanksgiving during COVID-19

By Payton Titus | Nov. 25, 2020

How do you like your turkey: oven-cooked, fried or served up nice and hot with a little pigskin on the side?

Sports

Dabo Swinney is out of touch, per usual

By Tyler Nettuno | Nov. 24, 2020

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney finds himself at the center of controversy once again.

Junior Trinity Thomas will be back with the Gators this season.

Sports

Gators Gymnastics releases 2021 schedule

By Noah Ram | Nov. 24, 2020

Florida will play an eight-match, conference-only schedule this year. UF's productive season was cute short by COVID-19 in 2020.

Gators backup quarterback Emory Jones zig zags between Vanderbilt defenders in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov. 21. Jones threw Florida’s final touchdown pass in their 38-17 win over the Commodores Saturday.

Sports

What’s the deal with Emory Jones?

By Brendan Farrell | Nov. 22, 2020

Gators backup QB Emory Jones has mostly been used by UF to run the ball. When he's brought in, he's been successful.

Former Gators swimmer Caeleb Dressel broke four World Records this month alone while representing the Cali Condors in the ISL.

Sports

Caeleb Dressel sets three more World Records in ISL Final

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 22, 2020

Former UF swimmer Caeleb Dressel set four World Records in one week representing the Cali Condors in Budapest, Hungary, during the ISL semifinals.

Gators safety Trey Dean III reaches for the football in Florida's game against Vanderbilt. The Gators hung 38 points on the Commodores in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, winning their sixth game of the season.

Sports

Gators still sluggish despite Vanderbilt win

By Christian Ortega | Nov. 22, 2020

Florida's defense got off to a slow start in its football game vs. Vanderbilt. UF still managed to beat the Commodores by 21.

Outside hitter T'ara Ceasar during the Gators' match against the Georgia Bulldogs on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida.

Sports

Gators rebound after back-to-back losses, end fall season with a win

By Noah Ram | Nov. 21, 2020

Redshirt junior T’ara Ceasar waited two years to knock off her former squad.

Tight end Kemore Gamble runs with the football in Florida's game against Vanderbilt on Nov. 21. Gamble contributed three receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown to the Gators' win over the Commodores.

Sports

Florida sails past Commodores in skittish victory

By River Wells | Nov. 21, 2020

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tight end Kemore Gamble did his best impression of teammate Kyle Pitts Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, during the latter’s absence.

Sports

UF swim and dive men and women secure wins against Auburn

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 21, 2020

UF’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams dominated the Auburn Fall Invitational, both adding wins to their records to end the fall portion of the season.

The Gators congregate in a huddle formation at their game against LSU last season. Florida dropped its second match of the season Friday night when it lost to Georgia, 3-1.

Sports

Florida collapses versus UGA, drops second-straight match

By Zachary Huber | Nov. 20, 2020

One Florida student yelled “wake up,” encouraging the Gators to play better after Georgia’s Kacie Evans clinched the first set for the Bulldogs. The orange and blue faithful in attendance tried to jumpstart Florida, cheering loudly every time it strung together a few points.

Sports

Preventing UGA service runs key for Florida

By Zachary Huber | Nov. 19, 2020

Most coaches and players are ready to move on to the next match after a difficult loss.