sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Leon Orr gets into his stance during UF’s 44-11 win against South Carolina on Oct. 20, 2012, in The Swamp.

Sports

Notebook: Orr offers versatility for Gators

By JOE MORGAN< | Nov. 19, 2013

Standing on their last leg, the Gators turned to Leon Orr.

Seattle Seahawks' Percy Harvin (11) returns the ball against the Minnesota Vikings on a kickoff in the first half of his team's 41-20 win Sunday in Seattle.

Sports

Gators in the NFL: Harvin enjoys successful debut with Seattle against former team

By LANDON WATNICK< | Nov. 19, 2013

With Week 11 of the NFL season in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Carlos Miranda races during the Southeastern Conference Championships on Nov. 1 in Gainesville. Miranda placed 29th, as the Gators finished second in the meet.

Sports

Freshman making unexpected contributions

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 19, 2013

When the season started, Carlos Miranda did not expect to be a contributor on Florida’s cross country team.

Sports

Florida adds top recruit

By Logan McGuire | Nov. 19, 2013

Caeleb Dressel is being hailed as one of the best sprint prospects ever despite having never suited up for a college team.

Sophomore middle blocker Simone Antwi spikes the ball during the Gators' 3-0 loss to the Tigers on Friday night in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Florida ready for matchup at Tennessee

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Nov. 19, 2013

Florida’s next opponent, Tennessee, may have only won a single match out of 14 Southeastern Conference contests this season, but the Gators are not quick to write this team off as a win — and with good reason.

Skyler Mornhinweg drops back to pass during Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

Sports

Injured Murphy remains questionable for Saturday

By JOE MORGAN< | Nov. 18, 2013

Tyler Murphy was frustrated.

By adding three-star prospect Deiondre Porter out of Tampa Jefferson High, coach Will Muschamp now has 22 commits in his 2014 class. The class is currently ranked seventh in the country, according to Rivals.com.

Sports

Dark season still offers hope

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Nov. 18, 2013

I'm not much of a fan of extended metaphors.

Ronni Williams attempts a shot during Florida’s 88-77 win against North Florida on Nov. 10 in the O’Connell Center. Williams scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against No. 6 Kentucky on Sunday.

Sports

UF looking for consistency early in season

By GORDON STREISAND< | Nov. 18, 2013

Two very different Gators teams took the floor last week.

Annie Speese dribbles the ball during Florida’s 2-0 victory against Jacksonville on Saturday at home.

Sports

Midfielder stepping up offensively for UF

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Nov. 18, 2013

Annie Speese knew what the Gators needed — and she responded.

Cory McGee runs during the Southeastern Conference Championships on Nov. 1. McGee placed 16th in the race, as UF finished fourth.

Sports

Two Gators earn NCAA at-large bids

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 18, 2013

Two more Florida runners will make the trip to Terre Haute, Ind.

Sports

Gators aiming to secure one of NCAA Tournament’s top seeds

By RJ Schaffer | Nov. 18, 2013

When Florida traveled to Missouri on Oct. 20, it was in the midst of one of the best stretches of volleyball in the program’s history.

Will Muschamp speaks at a press conference following Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Muschamp said he injured his hand punching a chalkboard.

Sports

Muschamp defends undermanned UF

By ADAM PINCUS< | Nov. 17, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Add Will Muschamp to the injury report.

Brent Pease watches players warm up prior to Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Using a new-look attack, the Gators ran for 200 yards — 169 coming in the first half — against the Gamecocks.

Sports

Pease shows promise in changed offensive approach

By JOE MORGAN< | Nov. 17, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Brent Pease looked like a new man on Saturday night.

Redshirt senior middle blocker Chloe Mann swings during the Gators' 3-0 loss to the Tigers on Nov. 15, 2013, in the O'Connell Center. Mann paced the Gators with a .506 hitting percentage in 2013 en route to becoming the NCAA career hitting percentage leader with her .476 clip.

Sports

Gators bounce back with sweep against Crimson Tide

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Nov. 17, 2013

Florida defended its undefeated streak against Alabama in the O’Connell Center on Sunday afternoon, adding win No. 38 to its all-time series against the Crimson Tide.

Redshirt junior guard Kayla Lewis poses during Florida women’s basketball’s media day.

Sports

Lewis scores 21 points to lead Florida past Kennesaw State

By GORDON STREISAND< | Nov. 17, 2013

Kayla Lewis had a birthday to remember.

Sports

Rugby team asks for funding to compete at national championship

By Eric Bandin | Nov. 17, 2013

Rugby players at UF are ready to take on the defending national champions, but their wallets say otherwise.

Walk-on guard Lexx Edwards (11) dribbles down the court during No. 11 Florida's 86-56 win against Arkansas Little-Rock on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Walk-on guard Edwards suits up for Gators during Saturday’s win

By LANDON WATNICK< | Nov. 17, 2013

With Eli Carter (leg) struggling to regain full strength and Dillon Graham (ankle, hips) out indefinitely, the Gators needed another guard on their bench Saturday.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg (17) prepares to hand the ball off during Florida's 19-14 loss to No. 10 South Carolina on Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

Sports

Notebook: Mornhinweg limited in first career start

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Nov. 16, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was a storybook setting for Skyler Mornhinweg.

Skyler Mornhinweg walks off the field following an interception late in the fourth quarter of Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. Mornhinweg completed 10 of 13 passes for 107 yards while making his first career start for the Gators.

Sports

MUSCHAMP TO FANS: ‘GET A GRIP’ — Gamecocks’ comeback dooms Gators

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Nov. 16, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Down to its third-string quarterback and dealing with injuries to several other critical players, Florida had plenty of reasons to roll over Saturday night against No. 10 South Carolina.

Junior Tessa Andujar celebrates her first goal of the season during Florida's 2-0 win against Jacksonville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida defeats Jacksonville 2-0 to advance to second round of NCAA Tournament

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Nov. 16, 2013

Tessa Andujar gave the Gators some relief.