sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF coach Mary Wise calls out instructions during Florida's 3-0 win against Auburn on Oct. 11, 2015, in the O'Connell Center. On Friday, Wise earned her 800th win as the coach of the Gators.

Sports

Incoming recruits have UF volleyball buzzing

By Alejandro López | Aug. 22, 2016

Roster turnover can stunt a program’s growth.

Florida defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson participates in a drill during a Spring practice on March 21, 2016, at the Sanders Football Field.

Sports

Breaking down UF’s defense two weeks before opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 21, 2016

With the Florida football team several weeks into preseason camp, alligatorSports Editors Ian Cohen and Ethan Bauer take a look at UF's position groups on defense and special teams and provide analysis from the first few weeks of Fall practice.

Gordon Neale lines up a shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 21 at the Mark Bostick Golf course.

Sports

Gators look to continue strong play behind Horsfield, Neale

By Jake Dreilinger | Aug. 21, 2016

The biggest story for the Florida men’s golf team was the emergence of two young talents in sophomores Sam Horsfield and Gordon Neale.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (left) hugs his parents -- dad Jack Del Rio and mom Linda Del Rio -- during Gator Walk prior to the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

After three years of waiting, Del Rio earns starting gig

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 21, 2016

Luke Del Rio was destined to start at quarterback for Jim McElwain.

UF forward Savannah Jordan takes a shot on goal during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida’s offense impresses in season opening win

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 20, 2016

Florida’s soccer team sported one of the nation’s top offensive attacks in 2015, averaging 2.54 goals per game to rank seventh best in the nation.

Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio throws a pass during a Spring practice on March 16, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Fields.

Sports

Gators name Del Rio starting quarterback

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 18, 2016

After two weeks of preseason camp, Florida has named its starting quarterback.

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

Season preview: After tourney loss, UF soccer primed for big year

By Lauren Staff | Aug. 17, 2016

As time expired at Dizney Stadium, UF coach Becky Burleigh watched her team, the 2015 Southeastern Conference Tournament champs, fall to Duke University in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament Championship.

Sports

Column: To future Florida parents: Hope and pray your children are never assaulted by a football player

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 17, 2016

It’s 3 a.m. and your phone rings. Struggling to shake the crust from your eyes, you wonder who it could be. And then it smacks you like cold water to the face.

UF cornerback Jalen Tabor participates in Spring practice on March 11, 2016, at the Sanders Practice Facility.

Sports

Tabor, Lewis suspended for season opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 17, 2016

Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor and tight end C’yontai Lewis have been suspended from the team and will miss UF's season opener on Sept. 3, Florida announced on Wednesday.

Luke Del Rio fields questions during Florida's Media Day on August 3. The spotlight is on Del Rio, the son of Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, to win the starting quarterback job at Florida.

Sports

Uncertainty under center: Del Rio, Appleby fighting for starting job

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 16, 2016

The biggest difference was the weather.

UF wide receiver Antonio Callaway breaks free for a 66-yard touchdown during Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

McElwain addresses Callaway’s marijuana use

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 15, 2016

In the last nine months, Antonio Callaway has been suspended from his university, isolated from his teammates and accused of sexual assault.

Johnny Townsend, the Gators redshirt junior punter, signs Thierry Pitot's chest after the 2016 Orange & Blue Debut in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Friday night. The 20-year-old tourism and hospitality management sophomore was part of a reported crowd of 46,000.

Sports

Townsend, Pineiro headline UF’s new-look special teams

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 15, 2016

As far as consistency was concerned for the Florida Gators last season, UF coach Jim McElwain needed to look no further than Johnny Townsend.

Florida's offensive line looks to be much improved in 2016. "Coach (Mike) Summers has challenged us to become great, so we’re excited to accept that challenge," center Cameron Dillard said.

Sports

Breaking down UF's offense

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 15, 2016

Two weeks into preseason camp, alligatorSports Editors Ian Cohen and Ethan Bauer take a look at Florida football’s four offensive position groups — quarterbacks, running backs, receivers/tight ends and the offensive line — and provide analysis from the first two weeks of practice. Let’s start with the one you want to hear about the most:

UF defensive lineman CeCe Jefferson returns a fumble during the fourth quarter of Florida's 38-10 win against Ole Miss on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Gators defensive line looking to replace lost production

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 3, 2016

Thanks to defensive backs like Joe Haden, Vernon Hargreaves and Keanu Neal, Florida has forged a reputation as “DBU”, or Defensive Backs University.

Quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) hands the ball to running back Mark Thompson (24) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Questions surround UF football before opener

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 3, 2016

Jim McElwain began his second year as coach of the Florida Gators by talking about laundry.

UF wide receiver Antonio Callaway is tackled by FAU punter Dalton Schomp during a punt return in Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Status of star receiver still unclear

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 3, 2016

Antonio Callaway will participate in the start of Fall practice on Thursday, but the status of his suspension is still unclear.

Amanda Butler calls out instructions during Florida's 92-69 loss to Kentucky at the SEC Tournament on March 4, 2016.

Sports

Rally: Who had a better year: Butler or White?

Aug. 1, 2016

In its first year under Mike White, the men’s basketball team went 21-15, falling in the quarterfinals of both the Southeastern Conference Tournament and the National Invitation Tournament.

Florida's Marquis Dendy leaps on his way to winning the triple jump during the NCAA track and field championships in Eugene, Ore., Friday, June 12, 2015.

Sports

UF athletes unfazed by sex at Olympics

By Ethan Bauer | July 27, 2016

The olympic committee is providing 450,000 condoms to olympians this summer.

Cornerback Jalen Tabor (31) celebrates after successfully defending wide receiver Josh Hammond (10) during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Column: Four questions before football team starts Fall camp

By Ethan Bauer | July 27, 2016

With the start of football season rapidly approaching, many questions still surround the Florida football team, picked to finish second in the Southeastern Conference East Division at SEC Media Days. Here are the four most pressing questions ahead of Fall camp.

Treon Harris looks on during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State at the 2015 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

Sports

Column: Harris’ decision to transfer best for everyone involved

By IAN COHEN | July 25, 2016

This is for the best.