sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

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.

Sports

Gators sign seven on NSD after strong recruiting cycle

By Declan Walsh | Nov. 18, 2020

After a relatively disappointing recruiting cycle in 2020, Becky Burleigh and the UF staff have bounced back with a pair of four-star signatures on national signing day.

Robert Finke during the Gators' meet on Day 3 of the SEC Championships on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Martin Aquatics Center in Auburn, Alabama. Finke and other Gators return to Auburn for an invitational this week.

Sports

UF’s swimming and diving teams head to Auburn Invitational

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 18, 2020

The Gators’ men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams travel to Auburn on Wednesday to compete in the three-day 2020 Fall Auburn Invitational.

Sports

Four new Gators softball players announced in 2021 recruiting class

By Ryan Haley | Nov. 17, 2020

Florida softball announced Wednesday that a quartet of new players are set to join the team next fall after national signing day.

Sports

Former Gator Caeleb Dressel sets three new records in ISL semifinal

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 17, 2020

The International Swim League hosted their second semifinal meet on Nov. 15-16 in Budapest, Hungary. Former Gator Caeleb Dressel dominated the field, setting one World Record and two American records during Monday’s competition.

Senior Brianna Harris will look to build on a Third-Team All-American Selection in 2020.

Sports

Gators lacrosse brings on seven new recruits for 2021

By Ryan Haley | Nov. 16, 2020

The Florida Gators lacrosse team will be joined by seven new players in the fall of 2021 as their recruiting class has been finalized.

Gators recruit Nate Bonetto signs his national letter of intent to play tennis for UF. He'll join the team with fellow recruit Abedallah Shelbayh in the fall of 2021.

Sports

Gators sign two top tennis recruits for 2021

By Ryan Haley | Nov. 16, 2020

Florida’s men’s tennis team announced two more new faces to join the team for 2021 on Sunday and Monday, as Nate Bonetto and Abedallah Shelbayh signed to join the team beginning in the fall of 2021.

Goalkeeper Susi Espinoza dives for a save in the opening game of the SEC Tournament on Friday. After winning 6-5 in overtime on Nov. 13, the Gators tournament hopes were dashed Sunday night when they lost to Missouri.

Sports

Florida bounced from SEC Tournament after loss to Missouri

By Bryan Matamoros | Nov. 15, 2020

Florida’s Susi Espinoza gave her team a fighting chance against Missouri in the second round of the SEC Tournament on Sunday.

Gators quarterback Kyle Trask winds up to throw the football during Florida’s game versus Arkansas at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Nov. 14. After Saturday night’s performance, many media members and Gators fans see Trask as the frontrunner for the 2020 Heisman Trophy award.

Sports

Joe, Shmoe: Move over Burrow, there’s a new Heisman in town

By Payton Titus | Nov. 15, 2020

There are three bronze statues outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium near the skybox entrance: one for each Heisman Trophy winner at UF. Three statues made to scale, yet somehow larger than life.

Gators swimmer Kieran Smith comes up to breathe while swimming breaststroke. Smith pulled in seven medals Friday, including four gold

Sports

Current and former UF swimmers made a splash in the 2020 U.S. Open

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 15, 2020

The Gators shined at the U.S. Open, racking up eight medals by the end of the three-day meet.

Gators coach Becky Burleigh consoles her team in 2015 after a 2-1 loss at the hands of Texas A&M. Burleigh has been at the helm for Florida since 1995.

Sports

Firing Becky Burleigh would be a ridiculous overreaction

By Declan Walsh | Nov. 15, 2020

Florida soccer's 6-5 comeback victory over Kentucky on Friday quelled pleas to fire head coach Becky Burleigh in favor of adoration toward the team’s performance.

Florida wide receiver Trevon Grimes at Saturday night’s game versus Arkansas at The Swamp. Grimes led the team in reception yards on Nov. 14, amassing 109 yards on six catches.

Sports

Gators prove offense is more than just “Kyle to Kyle”

By Brendan Farrell | Nov. 15, 2020

“Kyle to Kyle” has been the talk of the town in Gainesville ever since tight end Kyle Pitts’ breakout year in 2019 with Kyle Trask under center.

Gators quarterback Kyle Trask prepares to throw the football in Florida's game versus Arkansas at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Nov. 14, 2020.

Sports

Gators wallop Arkansas in Franks’ return to Gainesville

By Christian Ortega | Nov. 14, 2020

Musician Paul Simon repeated himself at the risk of being crude, saying there must be 50 ways to leave your lover. The Gators put Feleipe Franks and their history in the past and found more than 60.