Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper catches the ball during the Crimson Tide's 42-21 win against the Gators on Sept. 20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Muschamp focusing on consistency during bye week

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 24, 2014

A bye week could not have come at a better time for the Gators.

Thomas Howell races during the 2014 Mountain Dew Invitational on Saturday at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Howell, Brasure honored by Southeastern Conference after breakout performances

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 23, 2014

Coach Paul Spangler has seen countless freshmen runners through the years, but maybe none quite as mature and impressive as Lauren Brasure and Thomas Howell.

Lauren Embree reaches for a backhand against Georgia at the USTA/ITA Southeast Regional Singles final on Oct. 24, 2011. Embree lost her final dual match as a Gator in Florida’s 4-3 loss to Stanford in the NCAA semifinals on Monday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Embree eliminated in Red Rock Pro Open

Sep. 23, 2014

Lauren Embree fell short of advancing to the main draw in the Red Rock Pro Open 50k on Tuesday, dropping her third and final qualifying match to Ukraine’s Kateryna Bondarenko in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0.

Elizabeth Beisel swims during Florida's 173.5-124.5 win against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

UF women’s swim team looks to youth to replace seniors

By AARON FRIEDLAND | Sep. 23, 2014

The Florida women’s swimming and diving team returns to the pool this weekend as it sets to start its season at home against Arkansas on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Claire Falknor dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Miami on Aug. 22 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida defense limiting opponents

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Sep. 23, 2014

Soccer defenders aren’t usually celebrated after a win as much as, say, the forwards or the midfielders. The defenders aren’t the ones scoring the goals; their jobs aren’t that glamorous.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Celano impresses at Indiana tournament

By Luis Torres | Sep. 23, 2014

In just one week, freshman Ryan Celano has gone from an unknown commodity to winning the qualifying for the Wolf Run Intercollegiate to having the best tournament of any player on the Florida men’s golf team in Zionsville, Ind.

Noami Santos-Lamb swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-2 win against Oklahoma on Aug. 30, 2014, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

On the court: Comparing UF’s volleyball and football teams

By EDEN OTERO | Sep. 23, 2014

Every time I’ve talked with volleyball coach Mary Wise about specific positions this season, she always breaks them down in football terms, so that’s what I’m going to do for all you football fans that don’t know a thing about volleyball.

Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan lost five pitchers this offseason to the MLB and is now looking to sophomores Daniel Gibson, Jonathan Crawford and Keenan Kish to lead the Gators’ middle relief.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida boasts No. 3 recruiting class

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 23, 2014

Florida baseball continues to bring in talent.

Senior Lauren Embree serves during a match between Florida and Georgia on Oct. 24, 2011, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Former Gator Embree advances to qualifying round finals

Sep. 22, 2014

Lauren Embree is one step away from advancing to the main draw at the Red Rock Pro Open 50k.

UF coach Mary Wise calls out a play during Florida's 3-2 win against Oklahoma on Aug. 30 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball continuing to grow as non-conference play finishes

By IAN COHEN | Sep. 22, 2014

Coach Mary Wise’s central theme this season has been the Gators’ potential for growth.

Lauren Silver kicks the ball during Florida's 2-0 win against South Florida.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators conclude road trip, prepare for home matches

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 22, 2014

After a sixth-straight road game Friday night in Alabama, Florida is happy to be home.

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton walks on the Ring Tennis Complex courts prior to Florida's 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF sophomore wins singles title at SEC Fall Classic

Sep. 22, 2014

Elliott Orkin ended Florida’s first home tournament of the fall unscathed.

Jeff Driskel warms up prior to Florida's 42-21 loss to Alabama while backup quarterback Treon Harris watches.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Johnson’s Journal: Muschamp should start Treon

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 22, 2014

It’s OK to change one’s opinion based upon the gathering of new information.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney reacts at the end of regulation against Florida State in Tallahassee,on Saturday. Florida State defeated Clemson 23-17 in overtime.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Clemson struggles while SEC West, top-5 teams dominate

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 22, 2014

A Jameis Winston-less No. 1 Florida State team beat Atlantic Coast Conference rival Clemson on Saturday, and much of that was because Clemson is always going to "Clemson."

Liz Slattery dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Miami on Aug. 22 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida defeats Crimson Tide on pitch

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Sep. 21, 2014

Despite what you may have heard, Florida did get a win in Tuscaloosa this past weekend.

Eric Banks tees off during Day 2 of the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 16 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators golf team finishes second in Wolf Run Intercollegiate

By Luis Torres | Sep. 21, 2014

The Wolf Run Intercollegiate is in the books and the Florida men’s golf team was able to have a complete turnaround from their first tournament, as they finished in second place after posting a score of 37-over-par. After finishing in 13th place in the first tournament, UF had three rounds of steady play and finished ahead of 13 teams.

Mackenzie Dagostino (6) sets the ball during Florida's 3-0 win against Idaho on Aug. 30 in the O'Connell Center

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF tops UCF in four sets

By EDEN OTERO | Sep. 21, 2014

A transfer and a walk-on lead their team to a four-set win.

The Florida women's cross country team accepts its first-place trophy at the 2014 Mountain Dew Invitational

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Florida women win Mountain Dew Invitational; men take second

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 21, 2014

Though she hasn’t been on campus more than a month, freshman Lauren Brasure is leaving her mark on Florida’s cross country program early.

Alabama coach Nick Saban hypes up his team prior to the Crimson Tide's 42-21 win against the Gators on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Saban-coached Alabama team succeeds in SEC opener

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 21, 2014

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With Alabama’s 42-21 victory over Florida, the Crimson Tide looks capable of winning both the Southeastern Conference title and earning a College Football Playoff bid.

Demarcus Robinson (11) reacts after an incompleted pass during Florida's 21-42 loss to Alabama on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Notebook: Robinson, Jones limited against Crimson Tide

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 21, 2014

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — One game after tying the school record for most receptions in a game and making his imprint as Florida’s go-to receiver, Demarcus Robinson was relatively quiet against Alabama on Saturday.