sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Rhamat Alhassan (1) and Ziva Recek (9) attempt to block a kill attempt by a Missouri player during the Gators' 3-0 win against the Tigers in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

UF volleyball sweeps James Madison in season opener

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 29, 2015

You don’t often see teams take an 11-0 lead in a set.

FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2011, file photo, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C. Foster found out quickly that just because his players have extra cash in the form of stipends, it does not mean he can fine them when they screw up. Coaches cannot take away scholarship money, but they can withhold things like tickets, bowl gifts and per diems. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)

Sports

Column: Policy to fine student athletes is preposterous and illegal

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 27, 2015

Fining student athletes for breaking "rules" is unfathomable, and should be illegal.

Sophomore right-side hitter Alex Holston swings for a kill attempt during No. 8 seed Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

UF volleyball opens season with weekend road trip

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 27, 2015

Alex Holston’s dad has been counting down the days to the Gators’ first two season games this weekend.

Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-2 win against Texas Tech.

Sports

Florida soccer downs Miami with second half surge

By Ryan Summers | Aug. 27, 2015

In a game that featured no significant scoring threat in the first half, the Florida soccer team took down the Miami Hurricanes Thursday night, winning 4-2 in Coral Gables.

Treon Harris prepares to pass during practice on Monday.

Sports

With team support, Gators letting QB battle play itself out

By GRAHAM HACK | Aug. 27, 2015

Treon Harris and Will Grier will both play in the season opener against New Mexico State on Sept. 5.

Carli Snyder awaits a play during Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Column: Snyder growing comfortable at UF

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 26, 2015

Volleyball isn’t big in Macomb, Michigan.

New York Mets' Yoenis Cespedes (52) celebrates with teammate Wilmer Flores after scoring a run on a Michael Cuddyer double in the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Sports

Column: Get used to seeing the New York Mets dominate baseball

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Aug. 26, 2015

The New York Mets are the most exciting team in Major League Baseball.

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

Florida to conclude road trip with tonight’s game against Miami

By Ryan Summers | Aug. 26, 2015

After Sunday’s tough loss to Ohio State in overtime, the Gators will have a chance to get a pair of wins against teams from their home state.

Freshman defensive lineman Caleb Brantley recovers a fumble during Florida's 65-0 victory against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

UF coaches McElwain, Rumph bringing out Brantley’s best

By Luis Torres | Aug. 26, 2015

There haven’t been many players making more noise for the Gators in Fall camp than Caleb Brantley.

UF midfielder Mayra Pelayo hugs teammate Kristen Cardano after Pelayo scored the equalizer 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

Florida relying on youth for midfield production

By Kyle Brutman | Aug. 26, 2015

The midfield tends to be a crucial factor in determining a winner of a soccer game.

Everton's Tom Cleverley, right, fights for the ball against Manchester City's David Silva during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool, England, Sunday Aug. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Sports

In need of a football fix? Check out these futbol leagues

By Luis Torres | Aug. 25, 2015

While most people in the U.S. are patiently awaiting the start of both college football and the NFL season, there’s another type of "football" currently being played around the world.

UF wide receiver Latroy Pittman speaks at UF's Media Day on Aug. 5, 2015, at Touchdown Terrace in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Column: Latroy Pittman wasting opportunity at Florida

By GRAHAM HACK | Aug. 25, 2015

When Florida announced on Friday that it had suspended three players for the season opener, there wasn’t much cause for concern.

UF football coach Jim McElwain speaks during UF Media Day on Aug. 5 at Touchdown Terrace in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Florida defense focusing on creating havoc with pass rush

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 25, 2015

The vaunted Florida secondary is known across the country as arguably the most talented defensive backfield in the country.

UF men's basketball coach Mike White speaks at his introductory press conference on May 11 in the Gator Room at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Florida announces Gators Madness

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 25, 2015

For the first time in nearly a decade, Midnight Madness will make its return to the O’Connell Center -- albeit with a name change.

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

Rhamat Alhassan continuing to improve heading into sophomore year

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 24, 2015

No one looks more poised to reverse the sophomore slump trend than Rhamat Alhassan.

Wide receiver Alvin Bailey catches a pass during Spring practice on April 6 while wide receivers coach Kerry Dixon looks on at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Florida preaching importance of confidence to receivers

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 24, 2015

Florida coach Jim McElwain has a mantra similar to Patches O’Houlihan’s iconic "If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball" line from the 2004 movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story: If you can catch a ball in practice, you can catch a ball in a game.

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

Column: Football is scandalous year-round

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 24, 2015

Football is back, and with it comes the culmination of an offseason filled with controversy.

Tight end Jake McGee stands on the sideline during Spring practice on April 6 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Entering sixth year, Jake McGee aims to revitalize UF’s tight ends

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 24, 2015

Jake McGee’s first season with the Gators ended before it could even start.

UF's A.J. Crouch follows through on his backswing at the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 14, 2015 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

Sports

Previewing the Florida men’s and women’s 2015 Fall season

By Luis Torres | Aug. 24, 2015

Following his first season as the head coach of the Gators men’s golf team, a season in which he saw his squad reach the NCAA Championship, J.C. Deacon enters his second season with a number of key contributors returning from last year’s squad.

Coach Jim McElwain calls out a play during Spring practice.

Sports

Notebook: Gators ready to enter season without naming starting quarterback

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 23, 2015

Florida hasn’t named a starting quarterback for the season opener against New Mexico State, and coach Jim McElwain seemingly couldn’t care less.