sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Alex Holston swings at the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Tennessee on Oct. 27 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Holston moved on from nerves, ready for season opener

By EDEN OTERO | Aug. 27, 2014

Last season, she was the freshman phenom that was nervous about seeing her name in the starting line up.

Taylor Burke kicks the ball during Florida’s 2-0 victory against Texas A&M on Sunday at James G. Pressly Stadium. Burke has not allowed a goal in three games against the Bulldogs.

Sports

Goalkeeper, defense ready to build on early success

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Aug. 27, 2014

When fans go to soccer games and watch them on television, they are anticipating the exciting moments of the game. They want to see goals, and they want to see the big plays.

In this Jan. 1, 2014, file photo, South Carolina running back Mike Davis (28) gains yardage against Wisconsin during the second half of the Capital One Bowl NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla. Steve Spurrier says 1,000-yard rusher Mike Davis hadn't practiced last week and might not be ready when the ninth-ranked Gamecocks open the season against No. 21 Texas A&M tonight.

Sports

SEC Games to Watch: Week 1

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 27, 2014

We’ve made it people. The 2014 college football season kicks off tonight. With the season finally here, I give you the best matchups of the weekend from the Southeastern Conference.

Max Garcia (76) runs at an opposing player during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Oct. 5, 2013, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Garcia moved from guard to center during spring practice.

Sports

After redshirt senior Jonotthan Harrison played his last game for the Florida Gators — a 37-7 loss to Florida State on Nov. 30 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to close out a 4-8 season — coach Will Muschamp knew he needed a replacement.

Kelvin Taylor rushes during Florida's 23-20 loss to Georgia on Nov. 2 at Everbank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Taylor, Jones highlight talented Florida running back group

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 27, 2014

With Jeff Driskel returning from a broken fibula to play in Kurt Roper’s new high-tempo spread offense — and not to mention the hoopla surrounding the backup battle between Treon Harris and Will Grier — much of the attention surrounding Florida’s offense has been directed to the quarterback position.

Mike Taylor (51) pursues Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk during the Gators' 36-17 loss to the Tigers on Oct. 19 in Columbia, Mo.

Sports

Redshirt senior linebacker ready to open the season, win games

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 26, 2014

Come Saturday, Florida will get the chance to finally bury the disaster that was the 4-8 season of 2013. It seemed the day would never come, but a clean slate for the program starts with its season opener against Idaho.

Frankie Velez kicks a field goal during Florida's 17-6 loss to LSU on Saturday in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

Sports

Driskel to hold snaps for undetermined kicker

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 26, 2014

Jeff Driskel won’t just be responsible for taking care of the ball when the Gators are on offense.

Treon Harris takes a snap during practice on Aug. 14 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Harris was named Florida's backup quarterback on Tuesday.

Sports

Notebook: Harris wins backup quarterback job, secondary starters

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 26, 2014

Treon Harris won the first battle.

Coach Will Muschamp looks on during practice on Aug. 14 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Zoop’s Scoop: Football players more disciplined under Muschamp’s tenure

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 26, 2014

We all know Will Muschamp hasn’t yet attained the success that Urban Meyer did in his tenure at the University of Florida.

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

Sports

Tubbs, Greene to lead young women’s cross country team

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 25, 2014

While some might knock the Gators for their lack of veteran runners, coach Paul Spangler is embracing the influx of youth the Gators women’s cross country team has on its roster.

Simone Antwi swings at the ball during Florida's 3-2 loss to Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Middle blockers vying for playing time

By EDEN OTERO | Aug. 25, 2014

With a strong backline that consists of three veteran players, there is little doubt that Florida’s defense can hold its own.

Jillian Graff kicks the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Miami on Friday at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Deep roster provides support for starters in opening weekend

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Aug. 25, 2014

With the preseason and two regular season games in the record books, one thing is certain: The Florida soccer club has depth.

Sports

McCalister, defensive line prepare for season opener against Idaho

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 25, 2014

Alex McCalister plans to make the most of his 7-foot-2 wingspan.

PEP RALLY - UF Students gather for the first-ever "Rally in the Swamp" student pep rally on Sunday, Aug. 24. in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

UF Football rally held to boost ticket sales

By Beatrice Dupuy | Aug. 24, 2014

With football student lottery season ticket sales at an all-time low, UF students gathered Sunday for the first “Rally in the Swamp” event at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Tessa Andujar (15) dribbles the ball during Florida's 2-0 win against South Florida on Sunday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Backline holds off opponents in opening weekend shutouts

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Aug. 24, 2014

Limiting the amount of shots on goal your opponent attempts during a match is significant, but allowing no goals is key.

Antonio Morrison chases down a Florida State player during Florida’s 37-26 win on Nov. 24, 2012 in Doak Campbell Stadium.

Sports

Junior linebacker ready to rebound from 2013 season

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 24, 2014

Antonio Morrison is ready to move past the 2013 season.

Running back Kelvin Taylor (21) rushes for a touchdown during Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

Sports

Notebook: Taylor highlights running back depth

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 24, 2014

The Gators football team has made it through the dog days of summer and the grind of fall camp, and game week is finally here. Florida will face Idaho on Saturday to open its 2014 season.

Freshman quarterback Treon Harris remains in contention for the UF backup quarterback position along with fellow freshman Will Grier and Skyler Mornhinweg.

Sports

Backup quarterback still unknown, will play in season opener

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 24, 2014

After three weeks of fall camp, coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper are still undecided about who will backup Jeff Driskel at quarterback this season.

Helmets representing the 768 college football programs in the U.S. are displayed as fans arrive to spend the night in the College Football Hall of Fame, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, in Atlanta. The school associated with a fan's registration card will light up their team's helmet upon swiping the card at the entry to the museum.

Sports

Johnson's Journal: My body is ready for the return of college football

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 24, 2014

My senses tell the story of college football better than I can. The stimulation that runs stupendously deep for months on end is the most tangible reminder that this sport is more than a game played by young men, but a living, breathing right of autumn. As sure as I am that the leaves will change, I’m equally as confident that a touchdown pass will bring a visceral reaction from my core.

Florida senior forward Jillian Graff fights for possession with two Miami players during the Gators' 3-0 win against the Hurricanes on Friday night at James G. Pressly Stadium. Graff scored the first two goals of the match.

Sports

Graff scores two goals as Florida blanks Miami

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Aug. 22, 2014

A one-hour thunderstorm delayed the season opener between in-state rivals Florida and Miami, but it couldn’t prevent the Gators’ fourth-fastest goal in program history.