Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Luke Del Rio (center) huddles with Florida's offensive line during UF's 45-7 over Kentucky on Sept. 10, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Three things we learned from Florida’s first loss

By IAN COHEN | Sep. 26, 2016

After being rocked at Rocky Top, the Florida football team left its somber locker room and jumped on the team plane back to Gainesville. Every player re-watched the 38-28 loss to Tennessee on his iPad during the flight, in disbelief that they had let an 18-point halftime lead morph into a 10-point loss. After a day to process what happened, here are three things we learned from coach Jim McElwain’s press conference on Monday.

Austin Appleby (12) directs the offense during Florida's 38-28 loss to Tennessee on Sept. 25, 2016, at Neyland Stadium. Appleby passed for 296 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Florida’s championship past doesn’t justify loss against Tennessee

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 26, 2016

The Florida players filed one-by-one into a crammed media room in the bowels of Neyland Stadium, fresh off a 38-28 loss to Tennessee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

CONFIDENCE DESPITE COLLAPSE: UF still hopeful after loss to Vols

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 25, 2016

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Austin Appleby dropped his shoulder pads on the locker room floor in disappointment.

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

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball team sweeps Alabama in Tuscaloosa

By Alejandro López | Sep. 25, 2016

Historically, the No. 6-ranked Florida volleyball team has dominated Alabama.

Alfredo Perez returns a ball during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Men’s tennis sees success in weekend tournaments

By Cassie Amundson | Sep. 25, 2016

In just the second week of fall competition, the Gators have dominated in both the Bedford Cup and at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships.

Alyssa Yambor-Maul 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

Freshmen-led swimming team dominates at All-Florida Invitational

By Drew Kozlin | Sep. 25, 2016

Florida swimming and diving coach Gregg Troy gushed over Maxime Rooney ahead of UF’s fall season. He said he was excited to see what Rooney would do in his first meet.

Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida's 5-2 win over Iowa State on Aug. 19 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida earns first SEC home win of season

By Lauren Staff | Sep. 25, 2016

In the 69th minute, Savannah Jordan broke the game open.

Freshman Gordon Neale hits a ball during Day 2 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 21, 2016, at the Mark Bostic Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida golf teams see mixed results after first round of tournaments

By Jake Dreilinger | Sep. 25, 2016

Freshman Andy Zhang has arrived and made an immediate impact.

Carlos Miranda runs during the Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 24, 2016, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida’s men’s, women’s teams finish in first at Mountain Dew Invitational

By Skyler Lebron | Sep. 24, 2016

In front of a home crowd, Florida’s seniors had possibly the best performances of their careers on Saturday.

Quincy Wilson (right) is held back by Chauncey Gardner in front of Tennessee players during Florida's 38-28 loss to the Volunteers on Sept. 24, 2016, at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: Florida’s defense isn’t as good as it says it is

By IAN COHEN | Sep. 24, 2016

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jalen Tabor could only watch as Jauan Jennings bobbled and tipped and tapped the ball to himself, tiptoeing along the sideline and finishing the remainder of his 67-yard touchdown catch by waltzing into the end zone.

Antonio Callaway kneels after a play during Florida's 38-28 loss to Tennessee on Sept 24, 2016, at Neylan Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida’s collapse ends 11-game winning streak over Tennessee

By Ethan Bauer | Sep. 24, 2016

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As fans poured out of a sold-out Neyland Stadium on Saturday night, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” blared throughout.

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

Snyder, Knop lead Gators in road win over Ole Miss

By Ray Boone | Sep. 23, 2016

Since 2009, Ole Miss volleyball has won just one set against Florida.

UF's Becky Greene (right) races to the finish during the Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 19, 2015, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Sophomore runner looking to contribute for UF cross country

By Skyler Lebron | Sep. 22, 2016

While older, experienced runners like Carlos Miranda, Taylor Tubbs and Mac Reynolds absorb most of the attention on the Florida cross country team, younger runners may be overlooked.

UF coach Bryan Shelton (right) congratulates McClain Kessler during Florida's 6-1 win over Troy on Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Men’s tennis competing in two tournaments this weekend

By Cassie Amundson | Sep. 22, 2016

When coach Bryan Shelton and his tennis team aren’t practicing and preparing for upcoming tournaments, they spend their time together engaged in another highly competitive activity: Spikeball.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

alligatorSports Picks Column: Week 4

Sep. 22, 2016

Site: Neyland Stadium

UF coach Gregg Troy encourages his swimmers during Florida’s meet against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida has reasons to be confident ahead of All-Florida Invitational

By Drew Kozlin | Sep. 22, 2016

The last time the Gators didn’t win the All-Florida Invitational, the majority of their current team was probably in middle school.

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 | SOCCER

UF's offense shut down in home loss to Auburn

By Dylan Dixon | Sep. 22, 2016

Kaylan Marckese’s sloppy pass sailed to midfielder Briana Solis in triple coverage just outside the penalty box.

UF coach Jim McElwain talks with his team following the Orange & Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators preparing for fierce rivalry game at Tennessee

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 22, 2016

A roar bellowed from the Sanders Football Practice Field Tuesday afternoon.

From left: Jarrad Davis, Steven Stipe and the rest of Florida's football team descend into The Swamp prior to UF's 32-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Roundtable: Can UF preserve winning streak over Tennessee?

Sep. 21, 2016

It’s been 11 years since Tennessee beat Florida, but the Volunteers are feeling confident heading into this season’s matchup. The Vols are playing at home, they’re highly ranked and they’re seven-point favorites.

Antonio Callaway runs with the ball during Florida's 45-7 win over Kentucky on Sept. 10, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Callaway likely to play against Tennessee

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 21, 2016

Antonio Callaway had last weekend off against North Texas as he tended to his injured quad.