Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida defensive back Jalen Tabor, left, celebrates with teammates after he returned an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, on Oct. 10 2015, in Columbia, Missouri.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Third down is indeed the money down for the Gators’ defense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 11, 2015

The signs are present on the field.

UF guard Brandone Francis-Ramirez shoots during the Gators Madness three-point shooting contest on Oct. 2, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF players progress in first week of practice under Mike White

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Oct. 11, 2015

The first full week of practice for the men’s basketball team under Mike White is in the books.

UF running back Kelvin Taylor runs in for a touchdown during Florida's 21-3 win against Missouri on Oct. 10, 2015, at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘NEVER SATISFIED’: Gators want 6-0 start to be just the beginning

By GRAHAM HALL | Oct. 11, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Few thought the Gators would be undefeated heading into Saturday’s road matchup against Missouri.

Florida teammates celebrate with fans after a 21-3 win against Missouri on Oct. 10, 2015, on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Florida’s offense must improve before LSU

By GRAHAM HACK | Oct. 11, 2015

Against the Tigers from Columbia, Missouri, the Gators’ offense was good enough to get the job done.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF achieves highest ranking in AP Poll since 2012 season

By Luis Torres | Oct. 11, 2015

The Florida football team has reached a height the program hasn’t seen in more than two seasons: A top-10 ranking in the AP Poll.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

TAKING A STAND: Strong defense, developing offense lift No. 11 Gators to road win over Missouri

By GRAHAM HALL | Oct. 10, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Jalen Tabor had dropped a sure-fire interception earlier in the game, but halfway through the third quarter, he made amends.

Coach Bryan Shelton talks with sophomores Elliott Orkin and Maxx Lipman during Florida's 9-3 win against William & Mary on Jan. 10 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida women's tennis team bounced out of tournament, men advance in Oklahoma

By Madison Belfour | Oct. 10, 2015

Another one bites the dust.

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

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball snaps three game SEC losing streak against Texas A&M

By Brian Lee | Oct. 9, 2015

After its first three game conference losing streak in more than a quarter century, the UF volleyball team needed a big performance to get back on track.

UF midfielder Liz Slattery dribbles during Florida's 2-1 win against Troy in an exhibition match on Aug. 11, 2015, at the soccer practice field at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer team battles rain, history in win against Tennessee

By Ryan Summers | Oct. 9, 2015

Consistent rain and recent history in Knoxville, Tennessee, couldn’t stop the Florida soccer team from getting three points Friday night.

Missouri players celebrate after their 42-13 win against Florida on Oct. 18, 2014, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘Homecoming Revenge’: Gators looking to avenge 2014 loss

By Luis Torres | Oct. 8, 2015

Last year’s game against Missouri was an embarrassment for the Gators.

UF swim coach Gregg Troy watches his team's weight training at an early morning practice in the O'Connell Center on Feb. 7, 2008.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida women's swimming team wins first SEC meet of season

By Lauren Staff | Oct. 8, 2015

On Thursday night, the Florida women's swimming team, without its divers, kicked of its first Southeastern Conference meet of the year in Nashville, taking on the Vanderbilt Commodores.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks column: Missouri

Oct. 8, 2015

Site: Memorial Stadium at Faurot Field (Cap. 71,168)

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

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer looks to alleviate road woes against Tennessee

By Ryan Summers | Oct. 8, 2015

Florida soccer coach Becky Burleigh has a history of dominating teams on the road in the Southeastern Conference.

UF defensive end Alex McCalister attempts to sack Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly during Florida's 38-10 win against the Rebels on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF defensive line yet to reach prime this year

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 7, 2015

To the average fan, Florida’s defensive line has exceeded expectations so far this season.

Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel watches his team warm up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Connecticut Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jim McElwain, Gary Pinkel to meet again when Gators face Tigers

By Luis Torres | Oct. 7, 2015

At first glance, Florida coach Jim McElwain and Missouri coach Gary Pinkel seem to have taken separate directions in their coaching careers without ever interacting with one another.

Abby Detering (14) sets the ball during warmups before Florida's 3-0 win against Georgia on Oct. 10, 2014, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Sophomore setter ready to step up in senior’s spot

By Patrick Pinak | Oct. 7, 2015

As the starting setter, Mackenzie Dagostino has been the quarterback for Florida volleyball’s offense all season long.

Under coach Gregg Troy (above), Florida returns 11 All-Americans this season on the men’s team and two-time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel to the women.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Men’s swimming and diving team heads to Minnesota, women go to Vanderbilt

By Lauren Staff | Oct. 7, 2015

After both the UF men and women’s swimming and diving teams captured their sixth-straight All Florida Invitational titles on Sept. 20 in Gainesville, the teams will be tested with a pair of tough road meets against Minnesota and Vanderbilt.

UF defender Christen Westphal dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-2 win against Florida State on Aug. 30, 2015, at James G. Pressly stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Senior defender fulfilling a role on offense for the Gators

By Kyle Brutman | Oct. 7, 2015

The Southeastern Conference is more of a grind than a test, and the No. 12 Florida soccer team has shown it has been able to fill voids that needed to be addressed with the departure of several key players from last season.

Brianna Morgan awaits a serve during Florida's 4-0 win against Maryland on Jan. 25 at the Ring Tennis Complex. Morgan defeated Georgia Tech's Kendal Woodard, 6-2, 6-3 at the No. 3 position on Saturday to help the Gators advance to the NCAA Tournament Round of 16.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s, women’s tennis teams clinch qualifying spots

By Madison Belfour | Oct. 6, 2015

Progress over perfection.

Linebacker Antonio Morrison pumps up the crowd during Florida's 38-10 win against Ole Miss on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF linebacker Antonio Morrison continues to impress

By GRAHAM HACK | Oct. 6, 2015

At first glance, Antonio Morrison’s success this season isn’t that surprising.