sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Redshirt senior wide receiver Andre Debose returns a punt for a touchdown during the first quarter of Florida's 30-27 loss to LSU at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: Debose, Cummings did not make bowl game trip

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 31, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two UF seniors saw their collegiate football careers come to an end one game early.

Shannon Gilroy breaks away from a group of defenders during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Reloaded and ready: Previewing the 2015 Florida lacrosse season

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Dec. 31, 2014

For a team that reached the NCAA quarterfinals last season, Florida lacrosse is looking to go even further and get even stronger this year with national title implications on its mind.

Florida pitcher Hannah Rogers, left, celebrates with teammates Aubree Munro (1) and Kelsey Stewart, right, after Tuesday night’s win.

Sports

Road to a repeat: Previewing the 2015 Florida softball season

By Luis Torres | Dec. 30, 2014

One of the hardest things to do in sports is being able to repeat as champions.

Hannah Rogers holds the trophy as the Gators celebrate their first NCAA championship after defeating Alabama 6-3 in Oklahoma City, Okla., on June 3. Florida sweeped the final series in two games.

Sports

A trip down memory lane: Looking back at Florida softball’s championship run

By Patrick Pinak | Dec. 30, 2014

Gator softball has been great for the past decade – one could even call them dominant.

Florida's Brittany Harrell competes in the heptathlon long jump at the NCAA track and field championships on Friday.

Sports

Running rampant: Previewing the 2015 Florida women’s track and field season

By Kyle Brutman | Dec. 29, 2014

The Florida Women’s Track and Field team kicks off its 2015 season on Jan. 9 at the UAB Blazer Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama.

Florida's Marquis Dendy reacts after competing in the long jump at the NCAA track and field championships on June 12 in Eugene, Ore. Dendy became the first athlete to win both the long jump and the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoors since 2002.

Sports

Back on Track: Previewing the 2015 Florida men’s track and field season

By Kyle Brutman | Dec. 29, 2014

The Florida Men’s Track and Field team will begin its indoor season on Jan. 9 at the UAB Blazer Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama, and outdoor season on Mar. 20 at the FSU Relays.

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

Sports

Freshmen pace Florida in non-conference finale

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 28, 2014

For 30 minutes, it seemed possible that the Gators women’s basketball team could suffer another letdown at home against an incomparable foe.

Brianna Morgan swings at the ball during Florida’s 4-0 win against Harvard on Jan. 26 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Youth movement: Previewing the 2015 Florida women’s tennis season

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Dec. 28, 2014

Florida women’s tennis team is off to bright start in the beginning of their 2014-2015 season.

Elliott Orkin attempts to hit the ball during his singles match against UNF on Jan. 22.

Sports

Building momentum: Previewing the Florida men’s tennis season

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Dec. 28, 2014

The men’s tennis team is off to solid start in its 2014-2015 season.

UF athletics director Jeremy Foley listens as Jim McElwain gives his press conference on Dec. 6, 2014, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Doug Nussmeier named Florida's next offensive coordinator

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 23, 2014

Florida coach Jim McElwain hired Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to the same position, UF announced Wednesday.

Antoinette Bannister attempts a jump shot during Florida's season-opening win against Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida upended by Eastern Washington in 24th annual Gator Holiday Classic

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 22, 2014

The Florida Gators women’s basketball team lost another game the team was favored to win, on its home court, and in the team’s own 24th annual Gator Holiday Classic championship game.

Cassie Peoples goes for a layup during Florida's season-opening win against Jacksonville.

Sports

Florida wins big in first game of Gator Holiday Classic

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 21, 2014

A complete team effort vaulted the Florida women’s basketball team into the 24th Annual Gator Holiday Classic Championship, as the Gators handedly defeated Southern University 78-49 on Sunday afternoon in the O’Connell Center.

Florida defensive coordinator D. J. Durkin draws up a play for Buck linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. during Florida's win against Vanderbilt.

Sports

Notebook: Durkin, Gators preparing for Birmingham Bowl

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Dec. 18, 2014

The season of head coaching searches has given way to the transitional season around the Florida football program.

Sports

McElwain and staff pick up first verbal commitment for 2015

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Dec. 16, 2014

Jim McElwain, the new Florida Gator head football coach said in his opening press conference that you have to “recruit daily or die now”. Less than two weeks after he was named head coach, he and his staff has landed their first verbal commitment to the 2015 recruiting class.

New head football coach Jim McElwain following his introductory press conference on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

McElwain hires Geoff Collins as defensive coordinator

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Dec. 16, 2014

New coach Jim McElwain has made his first hire. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has been picked for the same position at Florida, the school announced Wednesday and he will replace current defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin following Florida’s final game of the season in the Birmingham Bowl Jan. 3.

Carlie Needles looks to pass the ball during Florida's 59-54 win against Stetson.

Sports

Florida women’s basketball stalls Stetson

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 14, 2014

Coming off its third straight loss, the Florida Gators women’s basketball team found a way to get back into the win column, defeating Stetson 59-54 in the O’Connell Center on Sunday.

UF players celebrate during Florida's 3-0 win against Alabama State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida volleyball season ends at Elite Eight after Stanford sweep

By EDEN OTERO | Dec. 13, 2014

While Florida’s season ended on Saturday night in Ames, Iowa against No. 1 seed Stanford, it wasn’t all a loss.

UF's Shainah Joseph swings for a kill attempt against Mississippi State. The sophomore middle blocker recorded seven kills and five blocks as No. 8 seed Florida defeated ninth-seed Illinois in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Ames, Iowa.

Sports

Florida volleyball pulls out five-set win over Illinois, advances to Elite Eight

By IAN COHEN | Dec. 12, 2014

Three down, three to go.

Will Muschamp signals during UF's 38-20 win against UGA on Nov. 1 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Reports: Former Florida head coach Will Muschamp to become defensive coordinator at Auburn

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 12, 2014

Will Muschamp’s next stop in his coaching career will be right where it started.

January Miller drives the ball to the net during Florida’s 87-69 win against Auburn on Jan. 26 in the O’Connell Center. Miller scored only five points while turning the ball over three times in UF’s loss to UGA on Sunday.

Sports

Florida women’s basketball falls to Wisconsin

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 10, 2014

With leading scorer Cassie Peoples sitting out the first half due to a violation of team rules, the Florida women’s basketball team needed the support of its bench players to pick up the slack in the redshirt junior’s absence.