Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Annie Speese (13) dribbles the ball down the field during Florida's 2-0 win against South Florida on Sunday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Speese scored both of UF's goals.

SPORTS | SOCCER

No. 2 seed Florida soccer upset in first SEC Tournament match

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 5, 2014

Losing a game in penalty kicks is hard enough.

In this Oct. 27, 2012, file photo, South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore (21) rushes up field after taking the hand off from quarterback Connor Shaw, back, during an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Columbia, S.C.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Johnson’s Journal: Lattimore retiring is a loss for the sports world

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Nov. 5, 2014

The game of football is cruel by design. Run as fast as you can and collide with the person in the other color shirt. Take him down by any means necessary at times.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida's win against Missouri during the 2014 SEC Tournament in Atlanta.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida begins season tonight with exhibition against Barry

By ERICA HERNANDEZ | Nov. 5, 2014

The Gators have a tough test ahead of them.

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

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Morrison growing into leadership role on defense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 5, 2014

Antonio Morrison has work ethic.

SPORTS | FEATURES

DirecTV offers student NFL Sunday Ticket package

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 5, 2014

Fred Taylor spent 13 years playing football in the NFL.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators looking to rebound from first loss of season

By AARON FRIEDLAND | Nov. 4, 2014

The UF men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams (M: 2-1, 2-1 Southeastern conference; W: 3-1, 3-1 SEC) lost their first meets of the season Friday in Athens, Georgia, against the Bulldogs.

Florida's starters huddle prior to their 3-1 win against Georgia.

SPORTS | SOCCER

No. 2 seed Florida opens SEC Tournament play against Tennessee

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 4, 2014

After almost a week off since its regular season finale, No. 2 seed Florida (14-4, 9-2 Southeastern Conference) plays 10th-seeded Tennessee today at 1 p.m. in Orange Beach, Alabama, in what it hopes to be the start of a long run in the SEC Tournament.

Billy Donovan talks to his players during a timeout in Florida’s 61-60 win against Kentucky on March 16 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators work on communicating as exhibition game against Barry nears

By ERICA HERNANDEZ | Nov. 4, 2014

While Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan maintains his team is not having issues with chemistry, he said on Tuesday that the loss of four starting seniors has created a void and a bit of confusion with the young and new players.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) looks to throw towards the end zone during the first quarter against Stanford in an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mariota, Prescott lead the way in alligatorSports Heisman ballots

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Nov. 4, 2014

AlligatorSports casted its third round of Heisman ballots on Tuesday. Here are the results.

Kelvin Taylor celebrates during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Saturday at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Former UF running back Fred Taylor proud of son, Florida football

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 4, 2014

Fred Taylor watched his son struggle this season.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Otero’s Opinion: Predicting the SEC volleyball honors

By EDEN OTERO | Nov. 4, 2014

Florida volleyball’s conference play is dying down and while that means the postseason is approaching, it also means that Southeastern Conference honors are right around the corner.

Freshman middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan swings at a ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Missouri

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Freshman middle blocker Alhassan continues to grow

By EDEN OTERO | Nov. 3, 2014

Coming into the season, Rhamat Alhassan was a big question mark for Florida volleyball.

Savannah Jordan chases after a ball during Florida's 6-1 win against Tennessee

SPORTS | SOCCER

UF finishes strong in conference, prepares for postseason

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Nov. 3, 2014

Postseason. The word alone gets sports fans excited.

Max Garcia and Chaz Green celebrate with Mike McNeely after his touchdown during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Saturday

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Center Max Garcia praises McNeely after Georgia win

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Nov. 3, 2014

Max Garcia is a rock. It’s his job to be one.

Max Garcia blocks UGA linebacker Amarlo Herrera during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Florida had solid blocking against Georgia

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Nov. 3, 2014

It takes a village to block for a running back, or a wide receiver, or even a walk-on taking place of a holder.

New York Jets wide receiver Percy Harvin (16) is pulled down by Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) in the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Week 9: Harvin had 11 receptions, Wright makes 13 stops

By ERICA HERNANDEZ | Nov. 3, 2014

With Week 9 of the 2014-2015 NFL season behind us, we take a look at former Gators contributing and/or slacking on teams across the country.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

J.C. Deacon learns from first Fall with men’s golf team

By Luis Torres | Nov. 3, 2014

J.C. Deacon’s first fall season as the coach of the Florida men’s golf team started off on the wrong foot. But with their backs against the wall, the Gators showed resilience and was able to grow as the year went along.

Will Muschamp looks down the field following Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Saturday

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida looks ahead to Vanderbilt

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Nov. 3, 2014

Florida, just days after upsetting No. 11 Georgia and snapping a three-game-losing skid in the series, is wasting no time getting ready for its next opponent, Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida struggles at SEC Championship

By BEN MURPHY | Nov. 2, 2014

For the first time in 17 years the Florida mens cross country team failed to finish as one of the top five finishers at the Southeastern Conference Championship.

Alex Holston swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Missouri in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball sweeps Tennessee

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 2, 2014

Over the course of the last month, Florida’s volleyball team has been rolling.