Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida associate coach Randy Shannon speaks to the media during the university's NCAA college football media day in Gainesville, Fla. on Aug. 5, 2016. Shannon is shaking things up as Florida's interim coach. The former Miami head coach replaced Jim McElwain and needed less than a day to make changes. Shannon opened up the quarterback job. He promoted Chris Rumph to defensive coordinator. And he elevated former Idaho head coach Robb Akey to defensive line coach. He also tweaked parts of practice and put an increased emphasis on special teams. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin, File)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Shannon making changes as he takes over as Florida’s head coach

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 30, 2017

Randy Shannon isn’t concerned with the past.

UF interim coach Randy Shannon confirmed on Monday that running back Malik Davis is "definitely" out for the rest of the season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators RB Malik Davis, LB Kylan Johnson expected to miss rest of season

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 30, 2017

As the Gators try to move forward after the firing of Jim McElwain, they’ll have to do it without one of their top playmakers.

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm (11) throws a pass against Florida in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: A way too early prediction of the College Football Playoff

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 30, 2017

Let me start off by saying I am no college football expert. I just watch games and form opinions based on what I see, like any other fan of the sport. With that being said, there are less than five weeks left until the field of the College Football Playoff is announced. Here are my picks for which teams will fill those four spots.

UF defender Rachelle Smith received Second Team All-SEC honors alongside defender Kristen Cardano.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators’ theme going into SEC Tourney: Revenge

By Morgan McMullen | Oct. 30, 2017

The Gators have a shot at redemption. Some on the team are calling it an opportunity for payback.

Head coach Dan Mullen observes his team in action during Mississippi State's spring college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday April 17, 2010. Maroon Team won 26-13 (AP Photo/Kerry Smith).

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

With McElwain out, five candidates stand out for UF job

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 29, 2017

1. Dan Mullen, head coach, Mississippi State

Rachael Kramer goes up for a block during Florida's 3-1 loss to Kentucky on Oct. 15, 2017, at the O'Connell Center. Kramer recorded 11 kills in a win against Mississippi State on Sunday.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball team sweeps Mississippi State in straight sets

By Justin Ahlum | Oct. 29, 2017

In UF’s second contest in three days, Florida controlled its match and took home its 18th win of the season on the road against the unranked Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-17, 0-11 SEC), 25-18, 25-10, 25-15.

UF football players found out that their coach, Jim McElwain, had been fired on Sunday when they logged onto Twitter and scrolled through their notifications.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football players react to firing of Jim McElwain

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 29, 2017

Nothing has gone according to plan for Florida’s football players in 2017.

Jim McElwain walks off the field after Florida's 42-7 loss to Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. On Sunday, it was confirmed that McElwain and the UAA mutually agreed to part ways.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: A look at the biggest accomplishments, biggest failures of McElwain’s tenure

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 29, 2017

Jim McElwain is out as Florida’s football coach. What were some of his best and worst moments during his time at UF? Let’s take a look:

The Gators women's golf team finished 13th at the Landfall Tradition in North Carolina. Marta Perez had Florida's highest score at 3 over par, good for a share of 28th place.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

With final round in North Carolina rained out, Gators women’s golf team finishes 13th

By Tyler Nettuno | Oct. 29, 2017

Florida never had a chance to move up the leaderboard in Sunday’s final round at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, North Carolina.

UF coach Jim McElwain and the UAA mutually agreed to part ways on Sunday. McElwain leaves UF with a 22-12 record.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

FIRED: Jim McElwain out as Gators football coach

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 29, 2017

After a third consecutive loss and a media circus surrounding Jim McElwain’s claims that death threats were leveled against members of the UF football program, Florida fired McElwain on Sunday. He finished with a 22-12 record over two and a half seasons.

Reports by ESPN state that UF boosters believe they may be able to avoid paying the full buyout because of coach Jim McElwain’s claim Monday that threats, including some death threats, had been leveled against Florida players, coaches and their families.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

After blowout loss, Gators coach Jim McElwain addresses rumors of firing

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 28, 2017

Gators coach Jim McElwain knew something was wrong before the game even started. Walking into Florida’s pregame meal, he was informed of rumors that he could be losing his job.

UF quarterback Malik Zaire led Florida’s lone scoring drive of the game, a 9-play, 71-yard series that ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Mark Thompson, on Saturday in the Gators' 42-7 loss against Georgia at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Zaire lone bright spot in loss; Toney, Cleveland ineffective in return

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 28, 2017

When examining Florida’s 42-7 loss — one in which UF’s offense appeared lifeless, its defense appeared lethargic and its coach appeared unsure of his job security — there was at least one positive to glean from the Gators’ performance: Malik Zaire.

UF coach Jim McElwain addresses the media with his arms folded after Florida's 42-7 loss to Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: I get why Jim McElwain should go. But remember he’s human, too

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 28, 2017

JACKSONVILLE — I felt something on Saturday I’ve never felt before when listening to Jim McElwain speak. It was some combination of pity, sadness or, really, any emotion other than frustration, which I’ve felt plenty with McElwain in the past.

Feleipe Franks completed 7 of 19 passes for a season-low 30 yards against Georgia in a 42-7 loss on Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Georgia thrashes Florida in 35-point blowout

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 28, 2017

Feleipe Franks laid face down on the 3-yard line of EverBank Field, his body dejectedly limp as Georgia’s players celebrated scoring another touchdown.

Rhamat Alhassan jumps up to block the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Florida A&M on Sept. 15, 2017, at the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators defense dominates Gamecocks for 11th sweep of the season

By Andrew Huang | Oct. 27, 2017

Rhamat Alhassan launched herself straight up in front the net, as if she was on a pogo stick, and did what she does better than all but two players in the country.

UF runner Marshall Dillon led all Florida runners with a personal-best time of 25:03.9, good enough for 38th place and a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Gators’ Marshall Dillon records personal best at SEC Championships in Georgia

By Alana Gomez | Oct. 27, 2017

Marshall Dillon hasn’t wasted any time making an impact for the UF men’s cross country team. In his third career race for the Gators, the redshirt freshman posted a personal-best time and 38th-place finish at the SEC Championships on Friday in Athens, Georgia.

UF swimmer Jan Switkowski won three individual competitions to help the Gators men's swimming and diving team beat Georgia on Friday for the first time since 2013.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Men’s swimming and diving defeats Georgia for first time since 2013

By River Wells | Oct. 27, 2017

It had been almost four years since the Gators men’s swimming and diving team defeated the Bulldogs. On Friday, Caeleb Dressel and Jan Switkowski were determined to change that.

Eight Gators beat writers pick eight college football games against the spread.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column Week 9: Hate Mail Edition

Oct. 27, 2017

What a week it’s been for Florida football coach Jim McElwain.

Malik Davis runs with the ball during Florida's 38-24 win against Vanderbilt Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Malik Davis: Exceeding expectations before they were set

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 26, 2017

Malik Davis squeezed the handoff and darted around the right side of the Robinson defense. He rocketed down the field, spraying black turf pellets at the trailing defenders with each stomp and huffing air through his vampire-toothed mouthpiece. He arrived in the end zone 30 yards later, and the game stopped.

Lindsey Rogers watched as both of her parents dealt with cancer. Tonight at 7, the Gators will participate in the annual ‘Dig Pink’ match, which aims to raise funds and increase awareness for breast cancer.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Fight of their lives: How cancer has affected the family of UF volleyball player Lindsey Rogers

By Andrew Huang | Oct. 26, 2017

Shock is all Steve Rogers felt when he heard the news, as he was lying in his hospital bed, recovering from surgery on his ruptured pancreas.