sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Running back Mike Gillislee dives into the end zone during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Gillislee ran for 140 yards and two scores in the win.

Sports

Defense, run game key to shocking year

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 27, 2012

I was wrong.

Sophomore Loucheiz Purifoy carries the ball down the field during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Sports

Loucheiz Purifoy emerging as versatile threat

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 27, 2012

As a freshman, Loucheiz Purifoy struggled to get on the field. One year later, Florida can’t take him off it.

Guard Chandler Cooper (5) dribbles past Georgia State guard Ashley Watson during the Gators’ 84-65 win on Nov. 11 in the O’Connell Center. After seeing time in only three games for the Gators in 2012-13 because of a left foot injury, Cooper has decided to transfer to Lipscomb University.

Sports

Injury to freshman guard Chandler Cooper a major blow to depleted Gators

Nov. 27, 2012

Coach Amanda Butler thinks freshman Chandler Cooper can be an effective player, but an injured left arch has thrown a wrench into the plan.

Coach Billy Donovan speaks with the media after the cancellation of UF’s game against Georgetown on Nov. 9 aboard the USS Bataan in Jacksonville. The game was called due to condensation on the court.

Sports

Scottie Wilbekin's career game not enough to earn starting spot

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Nov. 27, 2012

During Florida’s 79-66 win against UCF on Friday, junior Scottie Wilbekin set new career highs in four categories. He finished with 17 points, eight assists and five rebounds in 32 minutes.

Running back Matt Jones runs the ball during UF’s 37-26 win against FSU on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. Jones has established himself as the front runner to win Florida's starting running back job.

Sports

Freshman Matt Jones developing into powerful threat

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 27, 2012

When he arrived at UF, Matt Jones tried to bounce runs outside too often. Now, his teammates call him “The Bruiser.”

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

Sports

Injured Jelani Jenkins likely to miss bowl game

By ADAM PINCUS | Nov. 26, 2012

After a fractured right thumb and a hamstring injury kept linebacker Jelani Jenkins out of three games this season, a broken fifth metatarsal will keep him out of Florida’s bowl game. He underwent surgery on Monday morning and is expected to be out four to six weeks.

Quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) eludes Josh Evans during UF’s 20-17 win at Texas A&M on Sept. 8.

Sports

UF deserves spot in title game

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 26, 2012

When No. 1 Notre Dame takes the field for the BCS National Championship Game in Miami on Jan. 7, a Southeastern Conference team will be on the opposite sideline.

Linebacker Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Sports

Freshman linebacker expected to see larger role after early success

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 26, 2012

When Antonio Morrison has played, the results have been promising. Coach Will Muschamp is expecting them to only get better.

Erik Murphy (33) and Patric Young (4) try to block a shot from Jared Berggren during Florida's 74-56 win at home against Wisconsin on Nov. 14th. While the No. 13 Gators are 9-2, their defensive efficiency numbers have been down the last two games.

Sports

Gators defense stout early in season

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Nov. 26, 2012

After Florida’s 58-40 win against Savannah State on Nov. 20, coach Billy Donovan praised UF’s defense. On Friday, Donovan’s admiration had faded.

Florida coach Will Muschamp celebrates after defeating FSU 37-26 on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. The Gators won 11 regular-season games for the fifth time in school history.

Sports

Column: UF should be proud of ‘12

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 25, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — James Wilson and D.J. Humphries stalked up and down UF’s sideline, preparing the Gatorade cooler for celebration as the final seconds ticked off the clock on Saturday in Tallahassee.

Running back Mike Gillislee runs the ball into the endzone during a 37-26 win against Florida State at Doak Cambell Stadium in Tallahasse, Fla.

Sports

Mike Gillislee hits milestone, carries Florida to victory

By ADAM PINCUS | Nov. 25, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Will Muschamp called his team soft last season after UF closed out a dismal year with an embarrassing home loss to Florida State.

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

Notebook: Gators remain at No. 4 in latest BCS standings; Roberson's punt return fuels Gators' comeback

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Nov. 25, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — Florida remained ranked at No. 4 in the BCS standings on Sunday night. UF is behind No. 1 Notre Dame, No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia.

Safety Matt Elam celebrates after making a tackle in Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Sports

Stating their case: Tougher UF ends on high note

By JOE MORGAN | Nov. 25, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — The atmosphere on Saturday night in the bowels of Doak Campbell Stadium was bittersweet. Florida’s fate was in another team’s hands, but coach Will Muschamp — soaked and dripping with Gatorade — still found plenty to be happy about.

Redshirt freshman guard Carlie Needles (4) dribbles during Florida’s 71-49 win against Fairfield on Nov. 9 in the O’Connell Center. Needles and the Gators have struggled to defend the three-point line.

Sports

UF wraps up tough stretch with poor all-around performance

Nov. 25, 2012

Through two games in the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout, Carlie Needles and Florida feasted on the competition.

Florida forward Casey Prather (24) defends North Florida guard Parker Smith on Nov. 17, 2011, in the O’Connell Center. After missing the first five games of 2012-13 due to multiple concussions suffered in the preseason, Prather cut his lip in his return to the court.

Sports

After missing time due to concussions, Casey Prather makes eventful debut

By LANDON WATNICK | Nov. 25, 2012

After sustaining two concussions during the preseason, Casey Prather tasted blood less than a minute into his season debut.

Sports

Gators roll in Vegas despite George's foul trouble

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Nov. 24, 2012

Jennifer George had already racked up four points, two rebounds and an assist only 4:28 into the game. However, the senior also accounted for two of Florida’s four early fouls.

Sports

Gators turn focus to NCAA Tournament after sweep of Georgia

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Nov. 23, 2012

The Gators wrapped up their regular season with a three-set sweep (25-21, 25-22, 25-19) on the road against Georgia (14-16, 8-12 Southeastern Conference).

Redshirt freshman Carlie Needles (third from left) poses for a photo with four other freshmen during University of Florida basketball media day on Oct. 10. Needles hit the game-winning three pointer with six seconds left against the N.C. State Wolfpack on Friday night at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas.

Sports

Needles' three pointer pushes Gators past undefeated Wolfpack

Nov. 23, 2012

After making a school-record nine threes four days earlier, redshirt freshman Carlie Needles again came through behind the arc for the Gators on Friday.

Scottie Wilbekin poses for a photo at the University of Florida Media Day on Oct. 10. Wilbekin scored a career high 17 points in Florida's 79-66 victory against Central Florida on Saturday night in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Sports

Scottie Wilbekin nets career high in Gators' win

By LANDON WATNICK | Nov. 23, 2012

Known as one of the Gators’ most skilled defenders, Scottie Wilbekin proved on Friday that he could also be a scoring threat.

Sports

Mann leads Gators in close victory against Tigers

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Nov. 22, 2012

With the Gators already crowned the champions of the Southeastern Conference, Chloe Mann didn’t need a career performance Wednesday night.