sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida Gators Volleyball head coach Ryan Theis talks to outside hitter Kira Hutson (12) and middle blocker Alec Rothe (25) during a volleyball match against the Norfolk State Spartans on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Can the Gators come back as a top contender this 2026-27 season?

By Sofia Alamo and Nicole Scura | Aug. 24

With a tough schedule ahead, the Gators must capitalize on their returning stars, challenge their ranked opponents and fill the gaps left by transfers to find success on the court again. The Gators’ 2025-26 season proved adjustment takes time. After 34 years under head coach Mary Wise, Florida experienced a shake-up when she announced her last full season would be 2024.

Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) guards an inbound pass during the second half of an SEC Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal game against Florida, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

Sports

How Florida basketball can get Denzel Aberdeen eligible for this season

By Jeffrey Serber | Aug. 23

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 in favor of halting the U.S. District Court of Colorado's ruling that granted thousands of college athletes who were freshmen during the 2022-23 season an extra year of eligibility, which included Denzel Aberdeen.

Florida defensive player Avery Upton (6) runs with the ball during a soccer match against the University of North Florida on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida stuns No. 3 Florida State on home turf

By Zach Moore | Aug. 23

Florida (2-1) snapped its eight-game losing streak to Florida State (3-1) with a 3-1 win at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. The remarkable triumph was one of the biggest upsets in the country and gave Florida fans hope that the Nick Zimmerman era will provide excellence.

A sign showing the Gators past SEC Championships inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

The Alligator’s UF football beat reporters predict SEC football standings

By Ava DiCecca , Max Bernstein , Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz | Aug. 23

The Alligator’s UF football beat reporters — Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern, Ava DiCecca and Riley Orovitz — ranked every team in the SEC from top to bottom, and the average ranking for each team determined our ultimate order.

TIAA Bank Field, the home stadium of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, also serves as host for the annual Florida-Georgia game. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Sports

Early preseason takeaways: Rookies and backups lead the way through two preseason games

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 21

A combination of rookies and backups paved the way in a 24-20 road win over New Orleans, in which the Jaguars held the Saints scoreless in the second half, and Jacksonville’s depth pieces continued to shine against the Carolina Panthers.

University of Florida soccer player Lena Bailey (29) chases down the ball from University of Central Florida’s Taylor Jacobson (2) in Gainesville, Florida, on Aug. 24, 2024.

Sports

Kyra Taylor’s brace powers Florida to victory in home opener

By Zach Moore | Aug. 21

The first half of the match followed a familiar script from the loss against Central Florida on Aug. 13, with the Gators jumping out to a 2-0 lead before Coastal Carolina battled back. However, unlike in the opener, UF fought through adversity to regain the lead and secure its first win under Zimmerman.

Sports

The Alligator expands sports coverage to NFL with newly established Jacksonville Jaguars beat

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Aug. 20

The Independent Florida Alligator has an extensive history of covering the University of Florida and the greater Gainesville area. But beginning in 2026, the publication is expanding its sports coverage to include an NFL beat covering the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Florida Gators edge rusher Jayden Woods (15) during a football game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators on Sept. 20, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Sports

Florida football defense preview: Returning linebackers, revamped secondary shape defensive identity

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Aug. 20

While the Gators defense will be welcomed back with an ear-popping roar from fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium when it faces Florida Atlantic and quarterback Caden Veltkamp in the Sept. 5 season opener, this holistic review examines Florida’s defensive unit entering a much-anticipated 2026 season.

Florida Gators wide receiver Vernell Brown III (8) and offensive lineman Knijeah Harris (77) celebrate a play 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

Florida football offense preview: Mix of returners and fresh faces contribute to new-look attack

By Ava DiCecca and Riley Orovitz | Aug. 20

For UF students, the Fall semester marks more than just the start of a new school year: It stamps the beginning of another football season in The Swamp. While the excitement is overwhelming, it can be hard for students to keep track of exactly who they will be cheering for on Saturdays and what kind of season they should expect the Gators to have.

Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) goes to hug Florida guard Xaivian Lee (1) after losing an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

NCAA, U.S. District Court clash poses major implications for Florida men’s basketball

By Jeffrey Serber | Aug. 20

Now, as teams and athletes await the NCAA’s eligibility rules for the upcoming athletic season, many programs are forced to question what players they may be able to roster in 2026. For example, Florida is looking to transfer guard Denzel Aberdeen to get his waiver for a fifth year approved.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks to the press after the Orange & Blue spring football game, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Sumrall talks injuries, urgency following first fall scrimmage

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 17

Jon Sumrall and the Gators held their first fall scrimmage of 2026 on Saturday. While the coach was procedurally displeased, he said the scrimmage went well overall as the team preps for a Sept. 5 opener against Florida Atlantic. The biggest areas of improvement Sumrall identified following the scrimmage were procedural issues and space tackling.

Florida Gators forward Addy Hess (9) fights a defender for the ball in a match against the Kentucky Wildcats on Oct. 2, 2025, at Donald Disney Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. The Gators tied the Wildcats 1-1.

Sports

Gators begin 2026 campaign on the road at UCF

By Zach Moore | Aug. 13

A new era for Florida soccer kicks off Thursday evening on the road against UCF. Head coach Nick Zimmerman begins his first season in Gainesville and opens his Gator career in his home state as a Tampa native.

Sign of the UF Transportation and Parking Services office off of Gale Lemerand Drive in Gainesville, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021.

Sports

A game day tradition: The annual parking scramble returns to Gainesville

By Nicole Scura | Aug. 12

Starting Sept. 5 with a faceoff against the Florida Atlantic University Owls, the Gators will begin to host opponents at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the 2026-27 football season. With this, fans will once again combat the challenges of game-day parking. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the largest stadium in Florida, has a capacity of nearly 90,000 people. Fans, students, alumni, families, and more swarm The Swamp, driving parking demand even higher.

Florida guard Boogie Fland (0) drives against former Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.

Sports

Pack the O'Dome: Florida basketball’s 4 must-see home games

By Jeffrey Serber | Aug. 12

Fresh off a 2025 national championship and a 2026 Southeastern Conference regular-season title, Florida has become one of the prominent basketball programs over the last few years. Moreover, the Gators have lost just three home games in as many seasons, making the O’Connell Center one of the hardest college arenas to play in.

Students watch the finale of season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty at The Swamp Restaurant in Gainesville, Florida, on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.

Sports

Best Gainesville spots to watch the Gators on the road

By Colton Veres | Aug. 12

When the Florida Gators hit the road, plenty of students still want to experience a Gator game day with a crowd. Several restaurants and bars around Gainesville have become go-to destinations for students looking for a lively atmosphere, big screens and fellow Gator fans.

Florida volleyball players celebrate scoring a point against Alabama at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Sunday, Sept. 28, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Beyond The Swamp: Your guide to 2026-27 Gators sports

By Lily Perkins | Aug. 12

Tucked in between Saturdays in The Swamp and camping in front of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center for basketball games are national championship contenders, Olympians, rising stars and some of the most exciting sporting events on campus. Whether you’re looking for a fun new activity, an indoor escape from the Florida heat or your next favorite team, here’s what you need to know before every Gator season begins.

Florida running back KD Daniels (21) reaches with the ball during a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Sports

The hate list: Ranking how much you should despise Florida football’s 2026 opponents

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 12

With three of Florida’s most historic rivals off the table for the upcoming season, UF faces a list of teams it has a varied past against. Here’s a definitive ranking of how much you should despise the Gators’ opponents this season.

Florida wide receiver TJ Abrams (4) runs with the ball during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Oxford, Miss.

Sports

Iron sharpens iron: Gators prepare to unveil ‘explosive’ offense under Sumrall, Faulkner

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 11

With Florida football through six practices of fall camp, buzz has been building around the new-look offense the Gators will show under offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. When asked to describe the offensive scheme, junior offensive lineman Harrison Moore dropped one word: “Explosive.”

Florida football head coach Jon Sumrall watches the wide receivers during spring camp at the Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Sports

Toughness and grit: Sumrall talks mentality ahead of 2026 season

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 10

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall spoke with the media following the Gators’ fifth practice of fall camp, and his message remained unchanged: Players have been elevating, and consistent reps have made play a lot smoother, but more work is needed to build competitive depth.

Florida quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (9) and Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) snap the ball during spring practice at the Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, Fla., Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Sports

Geared for the season: Jones Jr., Philo continue quarterback battle

By Curan Ahern | Aug. 7

Though only one of Florida’s front-running young quarterbacks will be penciled in as a starter when the Gators kick off the 2026 season against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 5, the team has seen flashes of arm talent and leadership from both redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. and redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo.