Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida swimmers line up to begin the men’s open 400-meter individual medley during the Pinch A Penny All Florida Invitational on Sept. 28 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Florida wins season-opening meet

By Logan McGuire | Sep. 30, 2013

With the first meet of the season finished, Florida has a grueling schedule ahead.

Freshman runner Carlos Miranda (above) earned his first collegiate victory on Friday at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational in the 5K with a time of 15:17.60.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Miranda solidifies spot with first win

By GORDON STREISAND< | Sep. 30, 2013

The picture is starting to come into focus.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men's golf finishes first day at Shoal Creek in fifth place

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Sep. 30, 2013

Erasing the bad and writing the good is exactly what the Gators men’s golf team did Monday on the first day of the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate in Birmingham, Ala.

Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez competes in the men's open 400 IM at the Pinch a Penny All-Florida Invitation at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Sept. 28, 2013.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida dominates Pinch A Penny All-Florida Invitational for fourth straight season

By Logan McGuire | Sep. 29, 2013

For the fourth consecutive year, the Gators were victorious at the All-Florida Invitational and remain the lone team to win the invitational since Florida began hosting it in 2009.

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 | COLUMNS

Hargreaves best UF cornerback

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 29, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The kid needs to play.

Dante Fowler Jr. awaits a snap by the Wildcats. The sophomore Buck linebacker collected two of Florida’s five sacks while limiting Kentucky to 173 yards of offense.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Fowler fills void for Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 29, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — With senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley out for the season with a torn ACL and medial meniscus, Florida’s defense needed someone to step up to lead the unit.

Florida sophomore defensive specialist Holly Pole celebrates during a match in 2011.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators stuff Rebels thanks to impressive front-row play

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 29, 2013

Associate coach Dave Boos said Florida’s back-row defense has made up for the front row’s mistakes this season. But on Sunday against Ole Miss, the Gators finally delivered at the net.

Pamela Begic battles for the ball during Florida’s 2-0 win against Oklahoma State on Sept. 8 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida shut out, suffers first SEC loss during weekend finale

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Sep. 29, 2013

Although Pamela Begic tried to spark a rally for UF in the second half, Florida could not come back against Missouri.

Gators coach Buddy Alexander announced Tuesday that he will retire after the season ends.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Alexander, Gators men's golf team looking to bounce back at Shoal Creek Intercollegiate

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Sep. 29, 2013

For coach Buddy Alexander, the Gators' trip to the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate from Monday to Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala., will be an emotional one.

Matt Jones runs down the field during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Sept. 28 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jones rushes for career-high 176 yards in Florida win

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 28, 2013

Coach Will Muschamp called Matt Jones into his office on Monday.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Murphy completed 15 of 18 passes for 156 yards during his first college start.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

NO EXCUSES: Gators beat ‘Cats again

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 28, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After a week from hell, No. 20 Florida traveled to the Bluegrass State in need of a boost.

Savannah Jordan battles for the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Sept. 20 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Jordan scores 11th goal of 2013 to power UF past Ole Miss

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Sep. 28, 2013

It took only four minutes and 32 seconds for Savannah Jordan to break through Mississippi’s defense.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Miranda notches personal best as Gators win third straight meet

By GORDON STREISAND< | Sep. 27, 2013

GORDON STREISAND

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators pick up 10 victories on Day 1 of Pinch A Penny All-Florida Invitational

By Logan McGuire | Sep. 27, 2013

Florida opened its swim season strong with both the men’s and women’s teams leading the seven-team field of the Pinch A Penny All-Florida Invitational after Day 1 in the O’Connell Center on Friday.

Gabby Mallette reaches to hit the ball during Florida’s four-set win against Western Michigan on Sept. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Defense lags but Florida still manages sweep of Mississippi State

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 27, 2013

After a week of practice geared toward revamping the defense in time for Southeastern Conference play, coach Mary Wise said the payoff against Mississippi State on Friday was disappointing.

Dante Fowler Jr. celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Volunteers.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Fowler hoping to build on strong showing

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 26, 2013

Dante Fowler Jr. had two weeks to wait for, visualize and put into action his plan to wreak havoc on the Tennessee offense.

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger passes during LSU's 35-21 win against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., on Sept. 21.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: Kentucky

Sep. 26, 2013

We here at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column know how to choose our words wisely.

Savannah Jordan shoots on goal during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Alabama on Sept. 20 at James G. Pressly Stadium. The freshman forward leads the Gators with 10 goals this season.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Freshman forward critical to UF’s road success

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Sep. 26, 2013

In Savannah Jordan, the Gators trust.

Taylor Brauneis reacts to a play during Florida’s three-set victory against Florida State on Sept. 17 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators working to solidify defense

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 26, 2013

On Wednesday afternoon in the Lemerand Center gym, Dave Boos was invested in just one person: Nikki O’Rourke.

Georgia tailback Todd Gurley (3) makes an 8-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Aaron Murray in front of South Carolina defender Ahmad Christian (4) in Georgia's 41-30 win against South Carolina in Athens, Ga., on Sept. 7.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Who will win the LSU-Georgia matchup?

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 26, 2013

Each week, two alligatorSports columnists will debate the biggest looming matchup in college football. Today, Adam Pincus and Joe Morgan preview No. 6 LSU’s showdown against No. 9 Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.