Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | COLUMNS

alligatorSports Picks Column: Week 2

Sep. 8, 2016

SITE: The Swamp (cap. 88,548)

FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2015, file photo, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops watches his team from the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette in Lexington, Ky. Stoops made an early splash in recruiting and went from two victories in year one in Lexington to five in year two. Then another second-half swoon last year made it three straight bowl-less seasons for the Wildcats. Four in a row is not acceptable in the SEC, even for a program with relatively modest expectations. (AP Photo/David Stephenson, File)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Forget the winning streak — UF can’t afford to overlook Kentucky

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 8, 2016

The last time Kentucky beat Florida in football was 1986.

UF football coach Jim McElwain walks out of the visitor's tunnel prior to Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida’s winning streak on line vs. Kentucky

By IAN COHEN | Sep. 8, 2016

Jim McElwain looked confused, as if he was prepared for every possible question except for the one that was just asked.

Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Texas A&M on Oct. 9, 2015, in the O'Connell Center

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball looking to diversify attack this weekend

By Alejandro López | Sep. 8, 2016

To date, Carli Snyder, Alex Holston and Rhamat Alhassan have been the pulse of Florida volleyball’s attack.

UF midfielders Meggie Dougherty Howard (28) and Mayra Pelayo celebrate after Pelayo scores the first goal in Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators open SEC play with double-overtime victory

By Lauren Staff | Sep. 8, 2016

Going into Thursday’s match, Kentucky’s Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex was No. 5 Florida’s achilles heel.

Sam Horsfield tees off on the ninth hole at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course during the first round of the SunTrust Invitational on Feb. 20, 2016.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida to kick off season at Carpet Capital Collegiate

By Jake Dreilinger | Sep. 8, 2016

After a strong finish to a successful Spring campaign, the UF men’s golf team is looking to start the Fall in the same fashion.

UF linebacker Jarrad Davis tackles Florida State running back Dalvin Cook during Florida's 27-2 loss on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF looking to end penalty problems

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 7, 2016

Late in the first quarter against UMass, Jarrad Davis swarmed into the backfield on third and 3.

SPORTS | SOCCER

No. 5 Gators not looking past unranked Kentucky in SEC opener

By Lauren Staff | Sep. 7, 2016

The Florida soccer team is coming off a 7-2 win against Oklahoma State where it set a school record with seven goals in the second half after being held scoreless through the first.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Breaking down the Aikman-Bayless Fox Sports feud

By Matt Brannon | Sep. 7, 2016

Troy Aikman: Hall of Fame quarterback. NFL color commentator. Probably not gay.

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

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida basketball releases SEC schedule

By IAN COHEN | Sep. 6, 2016

The Florida basketball team will play 12 Southeastern Conference games on national TV this season.

Washington Redskins running back Mack Brown (34) runs away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Keith Tandy (37) on a 60-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Brown scores touchdown, Driskel signs with Cincinnati

By Matt Brannon | Sep. 6, 2016

Preseason Week 4 is a bittersweet time to be unproven in the NFL. On one hand, there’s probably no better opportunity to score playing time as head coaches cautiously sit their starters. But it could also be your last chance to suit up if you’re cut from the 53-man roster. Former Gators experienced both outcomes over the weekend, from 2013 running backs to Jeff Driskel to a pair of Chiefs’ receivers and scattered defensive specialists.

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 | FOOTBALL

With Tabor back, Gators hoping to bolster defense

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 6, 2016

There wasn’t a doubt that Florida’s secondary showed holes in its season opener against UMass — a 53-yard bomb down the sideline over sophomore defensive back Chris Williamson in the second quarter affirmed that notion.

Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio throws the ball during UF's 24-7 win over Massachusetts on Sept. 4, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

alligatorSports Roundtable: What will be the key for a Florida victory against Kentucky?

Sep. 6, 2016

The alligatorSports roundtable returns for Week 2, and this time we’ll discuss what we think will be the biggest key to a Florida win on Saturday against Kentucky. Sports writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak will debate, with arguments going in alphabetical order by last name.

Jim McElwain talks with players during stretches before a fall practice at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Injury notes: Massey out for season, Dawson will be back

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 5, 2016

Florida’s offense took a major blow Monday, as coach Jim McElwain announced that Dre Massey will require season-ending surgery on his right knee.

Jordan Scarlett (25) is tackled by UMass defenders during Florida's 24-7 win over Massachusetts on Sept. 3, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

An Underwhelming Start: UF shows room for improvement in opener

By Ethan Bauer | Sep. 5, 2016

With the first-down marker less than a yard away, coach Jim McElwain turned to Mark Thompson — a 6-foot-2, 237-pound transfer running back.

Duke Dawson talks with trainers after a play during Florida's 24-7 win over Massachusetts on Sept. 3, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Florida must have strong showing vs. Kentucky

By IAN COHEN | Sep. 5, 2016

After a relatively horrid weekend for the Southeastern Conference, one that saw at least five SEC teams lose to non-conference opponents, Jim McElwain made his way to the third floor of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Monday to field questions from reporters.

UF outside hitter Carli Snyder racked up double-digit kills and eight digs in UF's four-set win over Texas A&M on Wednesday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Snyder leads volleyball in weekend sweep

By Alejandro López | Sep. 4, 2016

The Florida Gators may have been thousands of miles from Gainesville, but it felt like a home match for Carli Snyder.

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

Florida sets program record with seven second-half goals

By Dylan Dixon | Sep. 4, 2016

Savannah Jordan is the NCAA’s active leader in career goals scored, a three-time All-American, and as of Sept. 1, was one of only nine Division I players to have at least 12 points this season.

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

Volleyball sweeps doubleheader at Spartan Invitational

By Ray Boone | Sep. 3, 2016

The No. 7 Florida volleyball team made short work of Saturday’s double header in East Lansing, Michigan.

Steve Spurrier talks to the crowd before the start of Florida's 24-7 win over Massachusetts on Sept. 4, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators earn first win on Steve Spurrier-Florida Field

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 3, 2016

The Head Ball Coach didn’t disappoint.