Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Surrounded by media, Jim McElwain celebrates Florida's 61-13 win against New Mexico State on Sept. 5, 2015. This was his first game as head UF football coach.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: For McElwain, family comes first

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 8, 2015

Jim McElwain didn’t need the game ball Saturday.

UF football coach Jim McElwain walks out of the tunnel Florida's 61-13 win against New Mexico State on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida to continue using dual quarterback system against East Carolina

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 7, 2015

Florida’s offense moved the ball at will, coughed up just one turnover and didn’t commit a penalty in the team’s season opening 61-13 win against New Mexico State on Saturday night.

All recommended charges are for third-degree felonies.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida enjoying new indoor practice facility

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 7, 2015

In previous Florida football seasons, a rainy day like Monday meant practice would be in the O’Connell Center or Florida Gym — not exactly an ideal situation.

UF tight end C'yontai Lewis celebrates as he scores a touchdown during Florida's 61-13 win against New Mexico State on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF football utilizing tight end group

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 7, 2015

For tight end Jake McGee, the toughest part is over.

UF quarterback Treon Harris passes during Florida's 61-13 win against New Mexico State on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: Gator fans must temper offensive expectations

By Luis Torres | Sep. 7, 2015

Florida’s offense under Jim McElwain got off to a fast start on Saturday night against New Mexico State.

Jimmy Clark races during the 2013 Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships at the Mark Bostick Golf Course

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida men led by Garcia, Clark; Women finish second to FSU

By Ethan Bauer | Sep. 7, 2015

Since 2011, the Florida cross country team has started the season by sweeping the Western Carolina Invitational. This season, however, the team opted for the Covered Bridge Open hosted by Appalachian State instead.

Middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill during Florida's 3-0 win against Mississippi State on Oct. 26, 2014, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

No. 4 Florida upsets No. 3 Texas in VERT Challenge

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 7, 2015

Rhamat Alhassan can do it all.

UF head football coach Jim McElwain (center) smiles as he walks off the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium following Florida's 61-13 win against New Mexico State Sept. 5, 2015

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida offense shows up, stands out in season-opening rout of New Mexico State

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 5, 2015

It might just be one game, but the Gators’ offense looks to have potential under coach Jim McElwain.

Mackenzie Dagostino (6) and Rhamat Alhassan (1) attempt to block a kill attempt during No. 8 seed Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball makes ease of No. 11 Oregon in VERT Challenge

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 5, 2015

With a match against No. 3 Texas looming the day after playing No. 11 Oregon, Mary Wise didn’t want to look past the Ducks.

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

Gators down Oklahoma State in overtime

By Ryan Summers | Sep. 5, 2015

The Florida soccer team found a way to get past Oklahoma State, but the Gators needed overtime to seal the victory.

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh leads practice prior to 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 faces Oklahoma State in home contest

By Ryan Summers | Sep. 3, 2015

The No. 8 Florida Gators soccer team returns to action tonight against Oklahoma State at 7 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Florida football players huddle at practice at the Sanders Practice Field Aug. 31, 2015.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Picks column: New Mexico State

Sep. 3, 2015

A new football season, a new Florida head football coach, and most importantly, a new set of the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column.

Jim McElwain watches on during practice on April 6 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida kicks off Jim McElwain era against New Mexico State

By Luis Torres | Sep. 3, 2015

It’s the calm before the storm for Florida head coach Jim McElwain, and the nerves will surely be kicking in soon.

Taylor Tubbs races in the Southeastern Conference Championships on Nov. 1, 2013, on the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida cross country opens season at Appalachian State

By Ethan Bauer | Sep. 3, 2015

For the fifth year in a row, the Florida men’s and women’s cross country team will travel to North Carolina to open up the season.

Baylor coach Art Briles walks the sideline during his team's NCAA college football game against Buffalo in Amherst, New York, on Sept. 12, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: College football is back, and everything is right in the world

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 3, 2015

Buckle your seatbelts and hold on tight, because the best ride in sports is finally back.

Jim McElwain waves as he walks off the plane after arriving in Gainesville on Dec. 5, 2014.

SPORTS | FEATURES

EXPECTING PERFECTION: Jim McElwain prepared for his first season at UF

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 3, 2015

Aside from the pressure surrounding a presumed revival of the football program, Florida coach Jim McElwain can’t walk around campus without being constantly reminded of enormous expectations and past success.

Mackenzie Dagostino swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida simulating pressure situations in practice

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 2, 2015

Though they only lost one set between their first two matches this weekend, the Gators know they’ve been challenged.

SPORTS | SOCCER

UF soccer’s backline leading the way

By Kyle Brutman | Sep. 2, 2015

For the Florida soccer team, the offense has received the bulk of the attention that has been placed on a squad that conquered previously top-ranked Florida State on Sunday.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban works with his players during the NCAA college football team's practice on Sept. 1, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Four SEC games to watch this week as the 2015 season kicks off

By Luis Torres | Sep. 2, 2015

Tonight marks the opening of what everybody has been waiting for: the 2015 college football season. While there aren’t a lot of intriguing matchups this week in the Southeastern Conference, here is a list of games that you should be paying attention to.

Treon Harris drops back to pass during practice on Monday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Treon Harris named starting quarterback for season opener

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 2, 2015

Treon Harris will take the first snap. What happens from there is still to be determined.