Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

James Bates, a linebacker on the Florida football team from 1992-1996, tackles a Georgia Bulldog during the 1995 game in Athens, Georgia. Courtesy to the Alligator from James Bates.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘Into enemy territory’: Former Gator James Bates’ storied battles against Georgia

By Max Tucker | Oct. 31

One of the oldest and most storied rivalries in the history of college football has been played on a neutral site for nearly 30 years. However, former UF linebacker James Bates has experienced every rabid atmosphere that the two passionate fan bases offer when the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs meet on the gridiron.

UF women's tennis coach Roland Thornqvist picked up his 500th career victory with Friday night's 4-3 win over Arkansas.

SPORTS | BLOGS

National championship crossroads: Florida and Georgia’s women’s tennis rivalry

By Noah White | Oct. 31

When discussing the history of Florida and Georgia athletics programs, it would be impermissible not to mention one of both schools’ most successful sports: women’s tennis. While not the most conventionally crowd-generating, the Florida-Georgia women’s tennis rivalry remains one of the fiercest in the collegiate tennis world, and for good reason.

Freshman outside hitter Kennedy Martin tips the ball in the Gators’ 3-2 win against the Georgia Bulldogs on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Kennedy Martin reaches career milestone against Arkansas

By Shaine Davison | Oct. 30

Florida volleyball won its match against Arkansas on the road at Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Florida Gators Midfielder Lauren Donovan (15) makes a pass during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers on Wednesday, October 30, 2024

SPORTS | BLOGS

Room for improvement: Florida soccer season comes to an end against Tennessee

By Max Tucker | Oct. 30

The Florida soccer team took the field clinging to a hope of ending its inconsistent season on a high note. For the seniors, it was their last time ever stepping foot on the pitch. The result ended up being far from what the Gators desired.

Florida center Ra Shaya Kyle puts up a shot in the Gators' win over the Florida A&M Rattlers Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Florida shows plenty of promise, dominates Flagler in Wednesday exhibition

By Jack Meyer | Oct. 30

After over seven months away from the Stephen C. O’Connell Center hardwood, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team made a statement in its exhibition match against Flagler College on Wednesday night.

Florida head coach Todd Golden coaches the Gators' during a practice the day before their Southeastern Conference tournament game Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Basketball coach’s departure offered Florida a Golden opportunity

By Luke Adragna | Oct. 30

The University of Georgia’s colorway represents pure evil in the eyes of Florida fans. According to them, wearing it would be nothing short of committing treason. So on Jan. 27, when Mike White, the former head coach of the Florida Gators men’s basketball team, entered the Stephen C. O’Connell Center donning the red and black colorway, reactions ensued as expected.

Florida’s pair of freshmen Malwina Rowinska (left) and Qavia Lopez (right) celebrate winning a doubles point in the Gators women’s tennis match against Baylor on Tuesday, February, 6, 2024.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Florida women’s tennis names Per Nilsson as new head coach

By Noah White | Oct. 29

Twenty-two days ago, Florida women’s tennis was tasked with finding a head coach after Roland Thornqvist’s retirement. The Gators did that today, selecting Pepperdine’s Per Nilsson to guide their program.

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

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Rivalry Week: Ranking Florida and Georgia’s top five current professional athletes

By Chandler Hawkes | Oct. 29

The listing of the top five current professional athletes from UF and UGA combined will be primarily weighed on what they have accomplished in their professional career while also acknowledging some of their accolades at the collegiate level. Let’s get into the list.

UF basketball player and freshman Isaiah Brown poses for a photograph.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Fearless freshman will have chance to make immediate impact for UF men’s basketball

By Max Tucker | Oct. 28

Freshman guard Isaiah Brown is set to embark on his first collegiate game with the Gators Nov. 4.

Freshman and UF golf player Addison Klonowski plays at the Barbara Nicklaus Cup Day 1 on Oct. 7, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Perseverance paramount in classroom and on golf greens for Addison Klonowski

By Aiden Wacksman | Oct. 28

Addison Klonowski was a full-time student at Indiana one year ago. Now, she leads the Florida women’s golf team in nearly every statistical category.

Florida Gators Defender Anna DeLeon (20) passes the ball during the first half at Donald R. Dizney Stadium on Sunday, October 27, 2024

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida knocked out of SEC Tournament contention after aggressive loss to Oklahoma

By Amanda Roman | Oct. 27

Florida (4-7-6, 1-6-2 SEC) was eliminated from SEC Tournament contention following a 1-0 loss to Oklahoma (10-7-1, 3-6-1 SEC) at Donald R. Dizney Stadium Sunday.

Florida's Alfonso Mestre competes in the 500 free during an Oct. 29 meet against Georgia.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida swim splits tri-meet against University of Tampa and Rollins College

Oct. 25

UF’s men’s team dropped its first meet of the season at the Riseman Aquatics Center in Tampa on Friday.

The Florida soccer team huddles pregame before its match with the Arkansas Razorbacks Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Alabama dominates Florida in critical late-season SEC matchup

By Noah White | Oct. 25

The crestfallen contest wasn’t a first for Florida (4-6-6, 1-5-2 SEC) this season. The Gators entered the contest against Alabama (9-4-5, 2-2-5 SEC) in need of a critical win with UF’s conference tournament bid hanging in the balance. However, UF was unable to come away with a victory on the road in Tuscaloosa on Thursday in a 3-1 loss to the Crimson Tide.

Junior middle back Gabrielle Essix blocks the ball in the Gators' 3-2 win against the Sacramento State Hornets Thursday, Sept. 8, 2023.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida volleyball’s Gabrielle Essix announces abrupt end to her senior season

By Shaine Davison | Oct. 24

The senior middle blocker announced her injury via Instagram on Thursday. While the exact injury that Essix sustained is currently unclear, she had previously suffered from nagging knee injuries throughout her career at UF.

Florida men's golf head coach JC Deacon and redshirt freshman Matthew Kress embrace after the Gators' victory over the No. 2 Texas A&M Aggies in the SEC Championship Semifinals Saturday, April 22, 2023. / Photo by Leslie White

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida men’s golf earns fourth place in final Fall event at Williams Cup

By Aiden Wacksman | Oct. 22

The Gators rallied behind a season-best 11-under 277 score in the final round on Tuesday to secure fourth place out of the ____ teams represented at the Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Florida men’s basketball head coach Todd Golden coaches his team during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, February 18, 2024.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Todd Golden courting diverse roster ahead of his third season at Florida

By Luke Adragna | Oct. 21

The Gators men’s basketball team’s roster in 2024-25 will feature six internationally based players.

Florida graduate student JanMagnus Johnson rips a backhand in the Gators’ 7-0 win against The Citadel on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

SPORTS | BLOGS

Florida dominates doubles Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southeast Regionals, secure spot in NCAA Championships

By Carston Handy | Oct. 20

Several Florida Gators made deep runs at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southeast Regional Championships, held at the University of Georgia in Athens over the past five days. Fourteen schools from Florida and Georgia competed for NCAA tournament qualification.

Senior outside hitter AC Fitzpatrick hits the ball in the Gators' 3-0 loss against the Auburn Tigers on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

SPORTS | BLOGS

AC Fitzpatrick shines in Florida’s sweep against LSU

By Shaine Davison | Oct. 20

Florida volleyball claimed the first three sets of its match against LSU to sweep the Tigers in the Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) and Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) celebrate after the teams 48-20 win at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, October 19, 2024

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

True freshmen Jadan Baugh and DJ Lagway lead Florida to commanding win over Kentucky

By Jack Meyer | Oct. 20

In a potentially make-or-break primetime contest against Kentucky on Saturday night, true freshmen DJ Lagway and Jadan Baugh combined for over 350 yards of total offense to power the Florida Gators to a much-needed momentum boosting win.

During the Florida Gators Football game vs the Samford Bulldogs on 09/07/2024.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs. Kentucky: Live Updates

By Max Tucker | Oct. 19

The Florida Gators football team will be taking on the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for approximately 7:45 p.m. Follow along right here for live updates.