Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Coach Jim McElwain speaks during a press conference on Aug. 3.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Five takeaways from McElwain’s Monday press conference

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 24, 2016

1. Gators shunned from award list: Despite boasting one of the nation’s most productive secondaries — the Gators are tied for 14th in the nation with 10 interceptions — no individual Florida player was named a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist. The award is presented annually to college football’s best defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, which announced the 16 semifinalists on Monday. Defensive backs Quincy Wilson, Jalen Tabor and Marcus Maye were left off the list. When asked about the snub, Maye seemed surprised and unconcerned. “It’s whatever,” he said. “I’m just going out and making plays for my team and myself.”

Luke Del Rio (14) looks to pass during Florida's 45-7 win over Kentucky on Sept. 10, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Del Rio settling into role as Florida's starting quarterback

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 24, 2016

Luke Del Rio was 8 years old when the Jacksonville Jaguars’ kicker gave him a black eye.

Meggie Dougherty Howard shoots the ball during Florida's 6-0 win over Alabama on Oct. 20, 2016, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

UF soccer team sends senior class off with win

By Lauren Staff | Oct. 23, 2016

Eight seniors took the field on Sunday at Dizney Stadium for their final regular-season home game.

Caroline Knop serves during Florida's 3-0 win over Jacksonville at the Lemerand Athletic Center on Sept. 16, 2016.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Snyder, Holston dominate in UF’s sweep of Georgia

By Ray Boone | Oct. 23, 2016

When Florida volleyball player Caroline Knop went to serve during the third set of Sunday’s matchup against Georgia, she was trying to put the match away for the Gators.

Tyrie Cleveland (89) runs toward the end zone during Florida's 40-14 win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roundtable: Who will be UF football’s breakout player?

Oct. 23, 2016

Jalen Tabor. Alex Anzalone. Marcus Maye. Jordan Scarlett. Halfway through the season, each has proven they can contribute to the No. 14-ranked Florida football team.

From left: Alex Holston, Shainah Joseph and Rhamat Alhassan wait for play to resume during Florida's 3-0 win over Mississippi State on Oct. 21, 2016, at the Lemerand Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF's defense dominates in sweep of Mississippi State

By Ray Boone | Oct. 22, 2016

The Mississippi State volleyball team entered the Lemerand Athletic Center on Friday night hoping for its first win after three-straight losses.

Jan Switkowski races in the 200 meter butterfly during Florida’s meet against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Swim team prepares to take on two national powers

By Drew Kozlin | Oct. 20, 2016

The Texas Longhorns are the team to beat in college swimming.

Allie Monserez (22) celebrates with teammate Rhamat Alhassan during Florida's Sept. 17, 2016, win over Marshall in the Lemerand Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball thriving off play of setter Monserez

By Skyler Lebron | Oct. 20, 2016

This season, Allie Monserez has been dominant.

Melanie Monteagudo (far right) heads the ball into the net during Florida's 6-0 win over Alabama on Oct. 20, 2016, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer dominates ‘Bama in 6-0 win

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 20, 2016

Melanie Monteagudo raced across Alabama’s penalty box through a sea of bodies as Meggie Dougherty Howard’s pass glided through the air toward her.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: Bye Week Edition

Oct. 20, 2016

Ahh, bye week.

UF goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese throws the ball back into play during the first half of Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Goalie’s play improving for UF soccer

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 19, 2016

Florida goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese refuses to accept the bulk of the credit when it comes to her team’s recent success on defense.

Florida's Kasey Hill, left, drives to the basket against Arkansas's Trey Thompson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 10, 2016. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)Florida won 68-61.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Three takeaways from SEC Media Day

By Ray Boone | Oct. 19, 2016

Kasey Hill and John Egbunu represented the Florida basketball team at the Southeastern Conference’s annual Media Day on Wednesday. Here are three takeaways from their appearance:

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain: Average Florida offense “still not there”

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 19, 2016

For about seven minutes, Florida football players listened as Steve Spurrier rehashed stories from his time at UF.

Mississippi's quarterback Chad Kelly (10) tries to run through the tackle of Arkansas' defensive back Josh Liddell (28) in the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas beat Mississippi 34-30. (AP Photo/Chris Brashers)

SPORTS

Porn site offers to set up date for Ole Miss quarterback

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 18, 2016

After attempting to flirt with a porn star through Twitter, Ole Miss’ starting quarterback will get the chance to go on a date with a different one.

United States vice-captain Tiger Woods congratulates United States’ Jordan Spieth after a four-ball match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Does golf really need Tiger Woods?

By Ray Boone | Oct. 18, 2016

Boone: Yes, he makes the sport better

UF guard Simone Westbrook drives into the paint during Florida's 53-45 win against LSU on Jan. 17, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Butler: Strength of SEC last year was “ridiculous”

By Alejandro López | Oct. 18, 2016

Nevermind a season-opening 12-game road trip.

Alejandro Tosti tees off during the 2016 SunTrust Gator Invitational at the Mark Bostick golf course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Men's golf places first, posts best score of Fall season

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 18, 2016

This one was never in doubt.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roundtable: What has been UF football's biggest surprise this season?

Oct. 18, 2016

If you asked any player or coach on Florida’s football team before the season started, they likely would have said this is where they expected to be by the bye week: leading the Southeastern Conference East Division with a good chance at making the SEC title game.

Florida coach Mike White calls out instructions to his team during Florida's 88-79 loss to Kentucky on March 1, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida basketball confronts free-throw woes

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 17, 2016

Feet spread shoulder-width apart. Three bounces. Arms hung down. Knees bent. Cock the wrists. Fling up and follow through.

UF women’s tennis coach Roland Thornqvist smiles during introductions prior to Florida’s win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Thornqvist, Gators seeing improvement after Fall matches

By Cassie Amundson | Oct. 17, 2016

All that could be heard at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex on Thursday afternoon was the rhythmic sound of a tennis ball slapping the court.