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

Sports

McNeely, Velez awarded full scholarships

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 22, 2014

After practice ended Friday, coach Will Muschamp broke some news to wide receiver Mike McNeely and kicker Frankie Velez.

Florida offensive coordinator Kurt Roper during practice on Thursday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Roper needs Driskel to be mentally tough

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 20, 2014

With the 2014 Gators football season just 10 days away, all eyes are on Kurt Roper and his new offense in Gainesville.

Will Muschamp looks on during practice on Aug. 9 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Muschamp, entering his fourth year as head coach, faces a tough schedule including road games against Alabama and Florida State.

Sports

The Rally: How successful will the 2014 Florida football team be?

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 18, 2014

And so we have arrived at the million dollar questions pertaining to the 2014 Florida football season: How many games is this team going to win, and how will it perform in general? Summer alligatorSports editor Jonathan Czupryn and assistant Richard Johnson got together to rally in order to give new University of Florida students a preview of what’s to come.

Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida’s 2-0 win against Jacksonville on Nov. 16 in Gainesville.

Sports

Looking beyond the Swamp: Several UF teams poised for big seasons

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 18, 2014

Within the next month, seven UF sports that aren’t named football will begin their seasons.

Sports

Freshman middle blocker has raw talent despite inexperience

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 18, 2014

Rhamat Alhassan played basketball almost her entire life.

Sports

McGee, Robinson among players ready to make an impact

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 18, 2014

Have no fear, the 2014 Florida football season is practically here. With just 12 days until Florida kicks off its season against Idaho, here are a few players to keep an eye on this year that you might not know who they are just yet.

Tim Tebow answers a question during a interview on the set of ESPN's new SEC Network in Charlotte, N.C. on Aug. 6.

Sports

The first 24: An hour-by-hour breakdown of the SEC Network's first day

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 15, 2014

Dear freshmen, and really anyone reading this: Don’t try this at home.

Holly Pole records a dig during Florida's 3-2 loss to Florida State on Dec. 6 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the O'Connell Center. Pole has 527 career digs and 52 career service aces heading into the 2014 season — her senior year.

Sports

Veteran backcourt ready to lead 2014 volleyball team

By EDEN OTERO | Aug. 13, 2014

Coach Mary Wise has many reasons to be excited about this year’s volleyball squad.

Sports

Neal excelling during practice while recovering from scooter accident

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 13, 2014

The scabs on his knees and his torn up index finger are not football injuries for Florida safety Keanu Neal.

Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper addresses the media during his introductory press conference on Jan. 13.

Sports

Roper focused on solidifying backup quarterback situation

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 12, 2014

On the sideline he stands, screaming, yelling and frantically signaling.

Jeff Driskel attempts a pass during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 12 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Practice Observations: consistent Driskel, receiving McGee, vocal Morrison

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 8, 2014

With two open practices are in the books for Florida including one with full pads, it’s time to do a quick rundown of what we’ve learned after two days.

Vernon Hargreaves III intercepts a pass in the end zone during Florida’s 24-7 victory on Sept. 28, 2013, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

Sports

Hargreaves day-to-day with bone bruise

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 8, 2014

Did you hear that Thursday night? That’s the collective relieved exhale of an entire fanbase.

Freshman running back Kelvin Taylor tries to escape a tackle during Florida's 19-14 loss to No. 10 South Carolina on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

Sports

Kelvin Taylor carries positive energy into second season at UF

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 6, 2014

There are nine basic forms of energy — from kinetic to sound, nuclear to light — but running back Kelvin Taylor would like to submit a tenth for your approval.

Dominique Easley (2) pushes through two opposing players during Florida’s 31-17 win against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Easley not cleared to practice

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Aug. 6, 2014

The injury that sidelined Dominique Easley for the final year of his college football career is currently costing him in the NFL.

Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte smiles as he takes questions from the media at the U.S. swimming nationals news conference in Irvine, Calif., on Tuesday.

Sports

Lochte impresses at USA Nationals despite recovering from knee injury

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 6, 2014

Ryan Lochte has faced scrutiny during the past year.

Sixth-year senior wide receiver Andre Debose is set to start the season on Aug. 30 after missing all of 2013 due to a torn ACL.

Sports

Wide receivers hope to get boost from new offensive coordinator

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 4, 2014

Since 2008, Kurt Roper helped churn out four 1,000-yard pass catchers, two All-ACC wide receivers and three players topping Duke’s all-time career receptions list.

Will Muschamp looks on during the Orange & Blue Debut on April 12 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Muschamp remains confident in team despite ugly 2013

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 4, 2014

At the beginning of Florida’s 2013 season, the expectations were high. The Gators were coming off of an 11-2, Sugar Bowl berth year. They entered the year as one of the favorites to win the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division and were even considered by many as a dark horse national championship pick.

D.J. Humphries blocks an Arkansas defensive lineman during Florida’s 30-10 win against Arkansas on Oct. 5 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Summers breeze hopes to renew Florida O-line

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 4, 2014

Injuries, players lined up in unfamiliar positions, a mountain-sized tackle and a performance so poor it was replayed over and over again on Michael Sam’s draft highlight tape. All are unfortunate parts of Florida’s 2013 season, specifically its offensive line.

Austin Hardin attempts a field goal during Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Hardin is the frontrunner for the starting kicking position, but he missed six of his final seven attempts in 2013.

Sports

Notebook: Backup quarterback, kicker and punter positions up in air

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 4, 2014

Barring injury, Jeff Driskel will be Florida’s starting quarterback when the Gators make their season debut against Idaho on Aug. 30 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Four-star Georgia linebacker chooses Gators

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 1, 2014

Florida’s 2015 recruiting class picked up its 10th verbal commitment as four-star linebacker Adonis Thomas (6-foot-3, 219 pounds, Lawrenceville, Ga., Central Gwinnett High) announced his commitment to UF. Thomas, the No. 16 ranked outside linebacker in the country, chose Florida over Alabama. He had offers from Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame as well.