sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore running back Matt Jones runs the ball during Florida’s 37-26 victory against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Sports

Sophomore tailback out for season opener versus Toledo

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 25, 2013

Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Saturday, but two key players will be absent.

Guard Jon Halapio blocks Georgia nose tackle Kwame Geathers in Florida’s 17-9 loss on Oct. 27 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

Sports

Jones, Halapio out for Florida against Toledo

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 23, 2013

Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Aug. 31, but two key players won’t be on the field.

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson catches a pass at the Orange and Blue Debut in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 6, 2013.

Sports

Freshman receiver generating buzz during fall practice

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 22, 2013

Demarcus Robinson is eager to accomplish something in 2013 that no Florida receiver has during the past five years — become relevant in the offense as a true freshman.

Centerback Christen Westphal dribbles the ball down the field against Arkansas on Sept. 30 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Westphal is one of Florida’s six returning starters from last season.

Sports

Freshman eager for Florida debut against Florida Gulf Coast

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Aug. 22, 2013

Savannah Jordan got a head start in becoming a Gator.

Junior cornerback Marcus Roberson stands at the line of scrimmage during practice on Monday. Roberson led Florida with 12 pass deflections and had two interceptions in 2012.

Sports

Junior has Florida secondary covered

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 22, 2013

Marcus Roberson opened the 2012 season with a 31-yard interception that set up a Florida scoring drive against Bowling Green.

Florida coach Mary Wise claps during a 3-0 win against FIU on Aug. 24, 2012 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Veteran UF lineup relishing heightened expectations

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 22, 2013

Mary Wise’s Frankenstein-like creation that was the 2012 squad was pieced together to fill the gaps left by season-ending injuries and graduating seniors.

Chicago Bears' Jon Bostic (57) spikes the ball in the end zone after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., on Aug. 9.

Sports

Gators succeeding in NFL

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Aug. 22, 2013

The NFL is one of the most brutal professional sports leagues in the country. With that comes untimely injuries.

Marcus Roberson (5) takes the ball down the field during Florida's 37-26 win against Florida State at Doak Cambell Field in Tallahassee, Fla., on Nov. 24.

Sports

Six Gators named to Coaches' Preseason All-SEC Teams

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 22, 2013

The votes are in and six Gators were named to the Coaches’ Preseason All-SEC Teams, which were announced by the Southeastern Conference office on Thursday.

Freshman running back Kelvin Taylor lines up during practice on Monday. Taylor came to UF as a four-star recruit.

Sports

Freshman tailbacks struggling early

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 21, 2013

When Florida brought in Adam Lane and Kelvin Taylor as part of its 2013 recruiting class, each was expected to compete for a position near the top of the depth chart.

Freshmen Jonathan Bullard (90) and Dante Fowler Jr.  (6) celebrate a stop of Missouri tailback Kendial Lawrence (4) during UF’s 14-7 win on Nov. 3 in The Swamp.

Sports

Sophomore standouts providing spark for Florida defense

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 21, 2013

To defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, age is just a number for Jonathan Bullard and Dante Fowler Jr. Both sophomores will play key roles in Florida’s pass rush in 2013.

Redshirt freshman safety Marcus Maye catches passes in a drill during practice on Monday. Maye and junior Cody Riggs are the projected starters at safety after three weeks of practice.

Sports

Redshirt freshman hungry to fill role

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 21, 2013

LSU lined up at its own 21-yard line, trailing 7-6 with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter in front of 90,824 fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium last Oct. 6.

The Avenue

Hippodrome showing basketball documentary about Kevin Bradshaw starting Friday

By Niko Pifferetti | Aug. 21, 2013

Kevin Bradshaw was supposed to be a basketball legend.

Ronald Powell prepares on the field before Florida’s game against Georgia on Oct. 29, 2011. Powell will likely play in his first game since 2011 when Florida plays Toledo on Aug. 31.

Sports

Junior linebacker back up to speed after missing 2012 season

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 20, 2013

Florida lost several defensive standouts to the NFL, but it has one weapon who did not see the field last year — junior Ronald Powell.

Running backs coach Brian White hugs sophomore running back Mark Herndon during Tuesday's practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida put Herndon and fifth-year safety Tim Clark, both previously walk-ons, on full scholarship Tuesday.

Sports

Walk-ons Herndon, Clark awarded full scholarships

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 20, 2013

As a walk-on freshman running back in 2012, Mark Herndon went to bed hungry many nights.

Havana Solaun dribbles past a defender at James G. Pressly Stadium on Sept. 21.

Sports

Retooled Gators relying on new lineup

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Aug. 20, 2013

With its season opener against Florida Gulf Coast just two days away, the Florida soccer team has a new core ready to lead the team.

Ziva Recek speaks during Volleyball Media Day on Friday at the Lemerand Athletics Center.

Sports

Sophomore aiming to improve on upstart freshman season

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 20, 2013

Ziva Recek was as good as anyone could have expected in 2012.

Dante Fowler Jr. (6) pursues Kentucky’s Morgan Newton (12) in UF’s 38-0 win on Sept. 22 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Fowler followed up a strong Thursday practice with another impressive performance Saturday during UF's open practice at The Swamp.

Sports

Ten interesting notes from Florida’s Saturday open practice at The Swamp

By LANDON WATNICK< | Aug. 17, 2013

Following Friday’s scrimmage, which was coined by coach Will Muschamp as “D-Day,” the Gators participated in their second open practice of the preseason in muggy weather Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium from 9-11 a.m.

Junior center Jonotthan Harrison (72) waits to snap the ball to sophomore Jeff Driskel (6) during Florida's 38-0 win against Kentucky at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept. 22.

Sports

Muschamp feeling confident about Gators’ depth on offensive line

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 16, 2013

When Will Muschamp accepted the position as Florida’s head coach entering the 2011 season, he inherited many considerable problems from a deteriorating program.

Kicker Caleb Sturgis (19) celebrates with former special teams and current defensive coordinator DJ Durkin during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Nov. 24 in Tallahassee.

Sports

Durkin hoping UF’s linebackers will build on last year’s success

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 14, 2013

Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin spent his first three years with the Gators as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach.

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) attempts a pass over the Tenneesee defense during a 37-20 victory against Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Sports

Pease believes junior quarterback can spark passing game

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 14, 2013

Danny Wuerffel popularized it.