Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh refuses to release his roster for the 2017 season. That level of paranoia makes him a perfect fit for the U.S. military.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: McElwain, Harbaugh should be put in charge of U.S. nuclear arsenal

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 28, 2017

Florida’s Jim McElwain, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and a bouquet of other college football coaches are wasting their time drawing up plays to move a ball up and down a rectangle. No, based on how much paranoia, control and secrecy they like to involve in such an arbitrary task, it’s clear they belong somewhere else: the U.S. military.

Florida players celebrate during UF's 2-1 win against Syracuse on Sunday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Seiler, Espinoza step up for Gators in Week 2

By Mark Stine | Aug. 28, 2017

Courtney Brosnan guessed wrong.

UF head coach Jim McElwain talks to his players after Florida's spring game on April 7, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jim McElwain says he has a quarterback plan. He just won’t tell you what it is.

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 28, 2017

Florida coach Jim McElwain is a man with a plan — and that’s all he’s willing to say.

Michigan fans celebrate after the Wolverines beat the Gators, 41-7, in the 2016 Citrus Bowl.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Game week: Getting to know Michigan

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 27, 2017

Florida doesn’t play Michigan often. In fact, the two programs have never played each other in a regular-season game.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., right, fights Conor McGregor in a super welterweight boxing match Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Is Mayweather really the world’s best fighter? No.

By Jake Dreilinger | Aug. 27, 2017

Floyd Mayweather defeated Conor McGregor by technical knockout on Saturday.

New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) runs into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

RB Gillislee, WR Hammond score in preseason Week 3

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 27, 2017

After leaving Gainesville, many former Gators players are continuing their careers at the next level. Here’s a look at how former Florida players performed in Week 3 of the preseason in this edition of Gators in the NFL:

Rachael Kramer (right) attempts a block during Florida's 3-0 win over Jacksonville on Sept. 16, 2016, in the Lemerand Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Sophomore Rachael Kramer ‘flourishing’ in larger role

By Justin Ahlum | Aug. 27, 2017

For the first time in program history, the Florida Gators beat two top-five opponents in back-to-back nights after defeating No. 1 Texas in four sets Friday and No. 5 Nebraska in a five-set thriller on Saturday.

Parker Roberts dribbles the ball during Florida's 2-1 win against Syracuse on August 27, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Parker Roberts scores game-winner as Gators beat Syracuse, 2-1

By Morgan McMullen | Aug. 27, 2017

After a midfield volley from junior midfielder Sarah Troccoli found the control of Briana Solis’ left foot just 20 yards from goal, she couldn’t help but notice the streak of a white jersey cutting across the middle of the box.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators down No. 5 Nebraska, start season 2-0

By Andrew Huang | Aug. 26, 2017

It was only fitting that the game concluded on a Rachel Kramer kill.

UF outside hitter Carli Snyder slams down a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Jacksonville on Sept. 16, 2016, inside the Lemerand Athletic Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball rounds-up Texas, defeats Longhorns, 3-1, in season opener

By Justin Ahlum | Aug. 25, 2017

As they jogged out of the tunnel, the Gators were met with a tenacious roar from their fans. At the end of the game, the same roar erupted as the Gators finished their upset of No. 1 Texas.

UF midfielder Gabby Seiler dribbles down the field during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Lais Araujo scores in 82nd minute to knock off No. 1 Stanford, 3-2

By Mark Stine | Aug. 25, 2017

Lais Araujo sprinted straight for the Florida bench. The UF midfielder leapt into the arms of her sidelined teammates and was surrounded by pink pennies just seconds after scoring the decisive goal against No. 1 Stanford.

Coach Jim McElwain has yet to make clear which of his top three QBs — Luke Del Rio (left), Malik Zaire (right) and Feleipe Franks — will start.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain provides no clarity on quarterback competition

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 24, 2017

Malik Zaire worked with Florida’s first-team offense during the team’s open portion of practice on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Luke Del Rio did. And on the day before that, who knows? Because while there was no way to check since practice was closed, it doesn’t seem to matter to coach Jim McElwain who’s taking the first-team reps.

Senior middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill during Florida's 3-0 win against Georgia Southern on Aug. 29 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators return to O’Connell Center tonight after long hiatus away

By Justin Ahlum | Aug. 24, 2017

It's been 630 days since the Gators played their last game in the O’Connell Center, a thrilling 3-1 victory in the NCAA Tournament against Florida State in 2015.

UF's Carli Snyder (left) and Rhamat Alhassan celebrate during Florida's 3-0 win against New Hampshire Dec. 3, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Column: Why aren’t you more hyped for Gators volleyball?

By Skyler Lebron | Aug. 24, 2017

Yes, I understand Gator football season is underway next weekend.

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh puts her arm around defender Rachelle Smith (81) following Florida's 3-2 win against Florida Sate on Aug. 30, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer team looks to beat No. 1 Stanford for first time Friday

By Mark Stine | Aug. 24, 2017

Tonight’s clash at Dizney Stadium will feature two of the most talented rosters in collegiate women’s soccer as No. 1 Stanford (2-0) travels to No. 8 Florida (2-0).

Former Gators Molly Stevens was one of the players picked in the WPLL draft on Wednesday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Six Gators players, coaches picked in inaugural pro draft

By Jake Dreilinger | Aug. 24, 2017

In the inaugural draft of the Women’s Professional Lacrosse League, four former Gators were selected alongside two current assistant coaches.

Nine players are facing a combined 62 possible third-degree felony charges, per UPD.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators receiver, linebacker cited on marijuana complaint

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 24, 2017

UF freshman receiver James Robinson and freshman linebacker Ventrell Miller were cited on a complaint of marijuana possession in an on-campus dorm room early Monday morning.

Florida football coach Jim McElwain paces the sideline during UF's 31-13 loss against Florida State on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: A postponed quarterback decision is better than a rushed one

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 23, 2017

Do you trust Jim McElwain?

Gabby Seiler (38) celebrates with teammates during Florida's 3-2 win over UCF on Sept. 18 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Seiler’s journey from Bulldogs to Gators prepares her for leadership role

By Morgan McMullen | Aug. 23, 2017

Redshirt senior Gabby Seiler began her collegiate career as a Georgia Bulldog in 2013. She did not wait long to begin to make her name known in the soccer world.

Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro attempts a field goal during UF's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl Monday at Raymond James Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

After standout season at Florida, kicker Eddy Pineiro is confident going into 2017

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 23, 2017

Florida coach Jim McElwain likes to be funny with his players. In practice, he jokes to Eddy Pineiro that he needs to be ready to hit 68-yard field goals in games, Pineiro said.