Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Linebacker returning for senior year

Jan. 6, 2015

Antonio Morrison said on UF’s athletic website Tuesday that he plans to return for his senior season.

Kytra Hunter performs a floor routine during Florida's win against LSU on Feb. 21 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics ready for pressure of defending title, tough schedule

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 6, 2015

Being the two-time defending national champions brings pressure.

Kytra Hunter performs a balance beam routine during Florida’s 198.125-197.625 over LSU on Feb. 21. Hunter won the balance-beam title at the Southeastern Conference Championships, but the Gators finished in second — behind the Crimson Tide.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Air Jordan: UF teams aim for spring success

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

It’s a cold world out there, Gator fans.

Cassie Peoples looks to pass the ball during Florida's win against Stetson on Dec. 14

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators women’s basketball off to slow start as SEC play heads into full swing

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 5, 2015

It isn’t a stretch to say this season hasn’t gone the way the Gators women’s basketball team had hoped.

Caleb Brantley watches as linebacker Antonio Morrison is carted off the field during Florida's 28-20 win in the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Antonio Morrison injures knee in Birmingham Bowl

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Antonio Morrison went down hard on Saturday.

D.J. Humphries holds up the Birmingham Bowl trophy following Florida's 28-20 win against East Carolina on Saturday at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Humphries declares for NFL Draft; Bullard to return to UF

Jan. 5, 2015

D.J. Humphries will not be returning for his senior season.

Alex Murphy attempts a free throw during Florida's loss to Connecticut on Saturday

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF men’s basketball team ready to move on from slow start

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 5, 2015

The Gators had a full winter break as they tackled their final four non-conference games of the season. Florida (7-6) saw mixed results with two losses and two wins over the past three weeks.

Adam Lane rushes for a touchdown during Florida's 28-20 win in the Birmingham Bowl against East Carolina on Jan. 3 at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Underclassmen show promise in Birmingham Bowl victory

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Heading into Florida’s meeting with East Carolina in Saturday’s Birmingham Bowl, the Gators’ mentality could have been questioned.

New head football coach Jim McElwain speaks at his introductory press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain revamps football coaching staff, makes hires

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

Florida introduced Jim McElwain as its next head coach on Dec. 6 and has since wasted no time putting together his coaching staff.

Max Garcia snaps the ball during Florida's 28-20 win against East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Max Garcia cherishes time at UF after transferring from Maryland

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In many ways, offensive lineman Max Garcia can be considered an exception to the rule.

Brooke Copeland attempts a three-point shot during Florida's win against Stetson.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators use second half surge to power past Auburn for first SEC win

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 4, 2015

Faced with the possibility of opening Southeastern Conference play with back-to-back losses, the Gators women’s basketball team made sure to avoid a letdown Sunday, as Florida dispatched Auburn 63-50 to claim its first SEC win of the season.

Alex Murphy drives into the paint during Florida's loss to Connecticut in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida basketball drops game to UConn

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 3, 2015

Florida’s first game of the new year was no different from the Gators’ performance in the previous year.

Dante Fowler looks down the field prior to the start of Florida's 28-20 win against East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field on Saturday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Johnson's Journal: Fowler's UF career ends on a high note

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 3, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — There is a finality that can’t be felt until something actually ends.

Adam Lane rushes into the end zone for a touchdown during Florida's 28-20 win against East Carolina on Jan. 3 in the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

KEEP GOING: Florida tops East Carolina in Birmingham Bowl

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 3, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Heading into Saturday’s Birmingham Bowl matchup against East Carolina, there were questions whether Florida still had any fight left in them this season.

New head football coach Jim McElwain speaks at his opening press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain previews future of Florida football program before Birmingham Bowl

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 3, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — While Florida is putting the last nail in the coffin of the Will Muschamp era playing in the Birmingham Bowl, the Jim McElwain one is just getting underway.

Coach Amanda Butler and guard Carlie Needles stand on the sideline during Florida’s 68-62 loss to Georgia on Sunday in the O’Connell Center. Needles scored six points on two three-point shots in Florida’s 89-69 loss to Tennessee on Thursday at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls at home to LSU in SEC opener

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 2, 2015

It appeared the Gators women’s basketball team viewed the beginning of Southeastern Conference play as a fresh start, and that the team would turn the corner and correct the problems that have plagued Florida in non-conference play.

UF interim head coach D.J. Durkin speaks during a press conference at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on Friday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mike Taylor, Max Garcia express respect for interim coach Durkin

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 2, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Respect is not given, it is earned. If you listen to the players D.J. Durkin coaches, respect for their interim headman oozes from them. That’s the ultimate goal for a coach according to Durkin.

Harrison Bader slides into home during Florida’s 14-5 win against South Carolina on April 13, 2013. Bader and the Gators will look to sweep Georgia in their final matchup Sunday at noon.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Covering the bases: Previewing the 2015 baseball season

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 2, 2015

The Florida baseball team exceeded expectations in 2014.

Bridget Sloan performs a flip on the balance beam during Florida’s win against Kentucky on Feb. 22, 2013, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Eyeing the three-peat: Previewing the 2015 Florida gymnastics season

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 1, 2015

Every team enters the season hoping to win a championship.

Dante Fowler hypes up the crowd during Florida's 23-20 overtime loss to South Carolina at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Bowl game provides Gators opportunity to showcase skills

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 31, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Every practice is another opportunity to improve.