sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Rachael Kramer (above) and Florida's volleyball team lost its first match of the season Sunday afternoon against Kentucky. "I’ve got to give Kentucky a ton of credit,” Kramer said. "They were killing it across the net."

Sports

Gators volleyball continues winning streak with a sweep against the Aggies

By Mari Faiello | Nov. 15, 2017

Reed Arena fell silent when Rachael Kramer hit the floor with an ankle injury.

With just two games left before his college career comes to a close, UF running back Mark Thompson isn’t holding back from expressing his opinion. “I really wish they would just stop looking and give (Shannon) the head coaching job,” he said. “He’s a great coach. He knows what he’s doing.”

Sports

Players voice support for Shannon as coaching rumors swirl

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 15, 2017

Mark Thompson knows that it’s inevitable.

The Gators men's team are hoping to continue their recent success, with seniors Jan Switkowski and Ben Lawless both winning SEC Male Swimmer of the Week awards in October.

Sports

Florida faces three ranked teams in return to invitational style

By River Wells | Nov. 15, 2017

The last time Florida and Indiana met in a swimming pool, the Gators found themselves pummeled by both the men’s and women’s teams. Starting today at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center in West Lafayette, Indiana, UF will get another shot.

Arkansas State defeated the Gators, 70-69, in the O’Connell Center on Tuesday night. It was the first loss at UF for new coach Cameron Newbauer, who Florida hired on March 27 to fix an underperforming women's basketball program.

Sports

UF women’s basketball team suffers first loss of Newbauer era

By Justin Ahlum | Nov. 14, 2017

Dyandria Anderson put up a prayer from the left side of the court. With two seconds left on the game clock, the senior’s three-point attempt bounced off the back rim as Arkansas State’s Akasha Westbrook grabbed the rebound and ran out the clock.

After practice on Tuesday, Randy Shannon said offensive lineman Antonio Riles likely won’t play this week, adding to an already extensive injury list. Among the players out for the season are safety Marcell Harris, defensive lineman Jordan Sherit, center T.J. McCoy, running back Malik Davis, quarterback Luke Del Rio and offensive lineman Brett Heggie, all of whom were starters.

Sports

Gators’ list of injuries grows, shrinks UF’s roster

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 14, 2017

Randy Shannon is familiar with coaching just 53 players.

Gordon Neale crouches during round two of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 21, 2016, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

Sports

With redemption in mind, Gators men’s golf team turns focus to spring

By Tyler Nettuno | Nov. 14, 2017

Last May, Florida earned the No. 1 seed at the NCAA Regionals in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Gators seemed poised to breeze through regionals and compete for a national championship.

Shainah Joseph (15) had 15 kills in UF’s match against Texas A&M earlier in the season and was voted SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 13.

Sports

Gators’ matchup with Aggies carries NCAA Tournament implications

By Andrew Huang | Nov. 14, 2017

On paper, it’s not even close.

UF guard Paulina Hersler converted 3-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc in Florida's 82-66 against Georgia State on Saturday.

Sports

Three-pointers are an emphasis for Florida heading into matchup with Arkansas State

By Justin Ahlum | Nov. 14, 2017

Seven Florida players made three-pointers in UF’s season-opening win over the weekend. Just how coach Cameron Newbauer likes it.

Interim coach Randy Shannon announced on Monday that receiver Dre Massey (9) will step in as second-string quarterback behind Feleipe Franks for Saturday's game against UAB.

Sports

Interim coach Randy Shannon promotes receiver Dre Massey to second-string quarterback

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 13, 2017

Florida quarterbacks are dropping like open passes this season.

Despite many distractions and obstacles in the fall, the Gators women's golf team is preparing for a strong spring season.

Sports

UF women’s golf team optimistic about spring after rough fall season

By Tyler Nettuno | Nov. 13, 2017

UF women’s golfer Elin Esborn believes the Gators are getting better, even though the results haven’t quite showed it.

The Gators football team faces the possibility of ending the season with a losing record for just the second time in 38 years.

Sports

With bowl-game hopes gashed, Gators are playing for pride

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 12, 2017

Taven Bryan was wearing a blue collared shirt. He had stripped off the bulky shoulder pads that he wore about 30 minutes before, pulled off the white jersey that had been covered with dirt and sweat, and, for just a moment, unburdened himself of what was running through his mind.

Sports

Column: What sucks more than the College Football Playoff? Nothing.

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 12, 2017

Out of all the unpopular opinions I’ve formed about sports, there isn’t one I stand by more firmly than this: I hate the College Football Playoff.

Shainah Joseph had six kills in the first frame of Sunday's win against Missouri, leading all players in the set and finished with a career-high 20 kills to go along with three blocks.

Sports

On Senior Day, Shainah Joseph leads Gators volleyball team over Tigers

By Justin Ahlum | Nov. 12, 2017

Tears, hugs and smiles filled the O’Connell Center during the pregame ceremony as the Gators honored their seniors. Caroline Knop, Lindsey Rogers, Shainah Joseph, Carli Snyder and Rhamat Alhassan were all joined by family members before defeating the Missouri Tigers in four sets, 25-16, 23-25, 26-24, 25-16 .

A scoring run between the second and third quarters served as the catalyst the Gators’ offense needed as they ran away with the game, beating Georgia State 82-66.

Sports

Gators, Newbauer win big against Georgia State in season debut

By Morgan McMullen | Nov. 11, 2017

As halftime drew near, Sydney Searcy’s unofficial theme song began to play.

Cornerback CJ Henderson (right) exited Saturday’s game against Georgia with a lower back injury. Coach Dan Mullen said the sophomore didn’t sustain any structural damage.

Sports

Column: Florida is terrible. But Saturday’s loss showed why its games are still worth watching

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 11, 2017

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It started, like most good moments for Florida’s football team this season, with a punt.

Malik Zaire injured his knee during Saturday's 28-20 loss to South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium. After the initial injury, Zaire returned to the game two plays earlier, only to crumble after taking the snap and shifting his weight to left leg.

Sports

Column: Gators coach Randy Shannon let his quarterback risk a major injury, and his explanation isn’t great.

By Matt Brannon | Nov. 11, 2017

It looked bad. Malik Zaire crumbled after taking the snap and shifting his weight to left leg.

Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks (left) completed 10 of 25 passes for 174 yards, no touchdowns and one interception on Saturday against South Carolina. UF fell to the Gamecocks, 28-20, sending its losing streak to five straight games.

Sports

Gators losing streak continues in 28-20 defeat to Gamecocks

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 11, 2017

By the time Florida’s defense realized Jake Bentley still had the ball in his hands, there was nothing any of its players could do.

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

Gators volleyball starts slow, then dominates Arkansas for win

By Andrew Huang | Nov. 10, 2017

Rachael Kramer, 6-foot-8, and Shainah Joseph, 6-foot-1, jumped in unison in front of the net, both hands in the air. Their teammate, freshman Paige Hammons, set her feet in the backcourt, bracing for Pilar Victoria’s attack, should it pass through the outstretched arms of Kramer and Joseph.

UF forward Melanie Monteagudo scored her first goal of the season on Friday against South Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Sports

Gators soccer defeats South Alabama, advances to NCAA Second Round

By Mark Stine | Nov. 10, 2017

Freshman Madison Alexander waited patiently inside the South Alabama box as midfielders Gabby Seiler and Sarah Troccoli traded passes. Seiler found space on the left flank and served a cross towards the six-yard box. Alexander jumped all over Seiler’s ball, placing it past goalkeeper Justice Stanford to open the scoring in the 34th minute.

The Gators men’s and women's cross country teams ended their season at the NCAA South Regional Championship Friday. Junior Caitlin McQuilkin-Bell finished first overall for the Gators in 51st with a time of 21:17.8, a career best.

Sports

Gators cross country teams wraps up season at NCAA South Regional Championship

By Alana Gomez | Nov. 10, 2017

The Gators men’s and women's cross country teams ended their season at the NCAA South Regional Championship Friday.