Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks across the football field before an NCAA college football game against Auburn on Saturday in Auburn, Alabama.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Looking back at the UF-Alabama SEC Championship rivalry

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 1, 2015

When No. 18 Florida and No. 2 Alabama face off in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game at 4 p.m. Saturday, it’ll be the eighth matchup between the two for the conference crown. The Gators own the all-time record against the Crimson Tide in the title game, 4-3. Here’s a look at how the other matchups panned out.

Teammates celebrate with cornerback Jalen Tabor after his interception during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Secondary duo key to Florida football team’s success

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 1, 2015

In the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Florida State, UF defensive back Jalen Tabor came inches away from knocking down a pass on fourth down.

UF quarterback Treon Harris passes during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida rallying around struggling sophomore quarterback

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 1, 2015

Quarterback Treon Harris has failed to move Florida’s offense over the last month.

UF guard Dyandria Anderson drives down the court during Florida's win against Savannah State.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women’s basketball wins sixth straight contest with victory over South Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 1, 2015

Florida’s game against South Alabama on Tuesday night was reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities.”

UF point guard Kasey Hill goes up for a layup during Florida's 104-54 win against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 16, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Richmond Spiders could be “handful” for Florida men’s basketball

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 30, 2015

While Vermont and Florida Gulf Coast, whom Florida defeated Wednesday and Friday respectively, put up solid first half fights, they aren’t exactly offensive juggernauts.

UF coach Jim McElwain walks out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

SEC Championship Game asserts UF’s return to relevance

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 30, 2015

Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game is the most concrete evidence to date that the Gators have returned to the national spotlight sooner than anyone could have anticipated.

UF football coach Jim McElwain walks down the sideline during Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Jim McElwain’s turnaround is something to be marveled at

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 30, 2015

Saturday, Florida will play Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, a contest even the most optimistic of Gator fans couldn’t have dreamed of being in for at least another two years.

In this Nov. 7, 2015, file photo, LSU quarterback Brandon Harris (6) is hit by Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) and Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa , Ala.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

A look at the opponent waiting the Gators in Atlanta: the Alabama Crimson Tide

By Luis Torres | Nov. 30, 2015

With the regular season now in the rearview mirror, the No. 12 Gators (10-2) will head to Atlanta for a matchup against No. 2 Alabama (11-1) with the Southeastern Conference Championship on the line.

They lost three senior backrow players from a year ago and lost five conference matches for the first time in 25 years under Mary Wise, but the Gators still made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Here are our two features on two players who got them there: Patrick Pinak's story on the knitting middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan (http://www.alligator.org/sports/volleyball/article_0a8cb024-8447-11e5-9fdb-c7277e26ef59.html) and Brian Lee's look at Ziva Recek's journey (http://www.alligator.org/sports/volleyball/article_a26ac8a4-9973-11e5-87b8-c375ed626332.html)

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball unsatisfied with simply competing in NCAA Tournament

By Brian Lee | Nov. 30, 2015

The Florida volleyball team is in familiar territory.

Haley Lorenzen blocks a shot during Florida's win against Jacksonville.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF looks to continue winning ways at South Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 30, 2015

It must feel pretty good to be a member of the Florida women’s basketball program right now.

Chase Perez-Blanco returns a ball during Florida's 4-1 win against Mississippi State on March 13 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

All about the Chase: Sophomore shining for UF men’s tennis

By Madison Belfour | Nov. 29, 2015

When asked if he had any pre-match rituals, Florida men's tennis player Chase Perez-Blanco had a simple answer.

UF Jim McElwain walks off the field following Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Student meets teacher at SEC Championship

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 29, 2015

Florida’s 27-2 loss to FSU in the team’s regular-season finale temporarily erased the memories of a promising season in Gainesville under first-year UF coach Jim McElwain.

UF's Kelvin Taylor rushes during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Kelvin Taylor a bright spot for Florida’s offense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 29, 2015

Prior to No. 12 Florida’s second possession of its 27-2 loss to No. 13 Florida State on Saturday, a former UF great, running back Fred Taylor, took the field to be honored as UF’s 2015 Southeastern Conference Living Legend.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Four-star quarterback highlights trio of 2016 verbal commits

By Luis Torres | Nov. 29, 2015

One day after being trounced by Florida State 27-2, Florida was back to its winning ways, albeit off the field and on the recruiting trail.

UF coach Mary Wise calls out to setter Mackenzie Dagostino during Florida's 3-1 loss to Kentucky on Sept. 27, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball to host opening rounds of NCAA Tournament

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 29, 2015

The Florida volleyball team received the No. 11 seed in the 2015 NCAA Tournament on Sunday and is set to host the first and second rounds of the tournament in the O’Connell Center.

Carlie Needles dribbles the ball down the court during Florida's loss to Missouri on Thursday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida claims Omni Hotels Classic tournament crown

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 29, 2015

In both 2009 and 2010, current Gator guard Carlie Needles arrived at the Coors Events Center in Boulder, Colorado, with high hopes.

UF quarterback Treon Harris drops back to pass during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida stifled by Florida State in regular season finale

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 28, 2015

For yet another week, the Gators’ offense struggled to support its defense.

UF center John Egbunu goes up for a dunk during Florida's 89-42 win against Palm Beach Atlantic in an exhibition game on Nov. 5, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida uses second half surge to down Florida Gulf Coast

By Luis Torres | Nov. 28, 2015

Playing its fourth game in six days and one game after Thanksgiving, Florida might’ve been feeling the ill effects of the workload during the first half against Florida Gulf Coast.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators sweep LIU Brooklyn in emotional Senior Day victory

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 27, 2015

Mary Wise doesn’t tear up often, but she made an exception for Mackenzie Dagostino.

Dorian Finney-Smith dribbles the ball during Florida's 79-34 win against Jacksonville on Dec. 22, 2014.

SPORTS

Florida men's basketball uses strong second-half shooting to down Vermont

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 25, 2015

Florida shouldn’t have had any trouble with Vermont, yet the Catamounts repeatedly hit shots to stay in the game.