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Sports

Picks Column: Bye Week

Sep. 27, 2012

On Thursday night, the NFL welcomed back referees who are actually qualified to officiate professional football games. What a concept!

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

Defensive line depth keeping starters fresh

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Sep. 27, 2012

The Florida defensive linemen are getting their rest. That wasn’t always the case in 2011.

Florida linebacker Jelani Jenkins (3) watches Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) on Sept. 8 at Kyle Field. Jenkins left the game with a thumb injury.

Sports

Injured linebacker could play with cast vs. LSU

By ADAM PINCUS | Sep. 27, 2012

Jelani Jenkins has an important doctor’s appointment today.

Florida libero Taylor Unroe (5) serves during Florida’s 3-0 win against Missouri on Sept. 21 in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Unroe's 18 digs against Alabama on Friday her second-highest total in a three-set match.

Sports

Sophomore libero faces stiff test against South Carolina

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 27, 2012

Tonight’s matchup against South Carolina is a perfect opportunity for Taylor Unroe to showcase her talents.

Junior forward Adriana Leon (91) fights for the ball with Tennessee’s Ali Hall (9) during UF’s 2-1 win on Sept. 21 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Despite playing in seven of Florida's 10 games, the junior is second on the team with 21 shots.

Sports

Junior transfer letting shots rip for Gators

By LANDON WATNICK | Sep. 27, 2012

Adriana Leon only needed one goal to get her confidence flowing.

UF women's tennis coach Roland Thornqvist and the Gators were predicted to win the Southeastern Conference by the other SEC coaches.

Sports

Freshman duo making progress for UF tennis

Sep. 27, 2012

Freshman Brianna Morgan has made more progress than any player assistant coach Dave Balogh has seen in his time at Florida.

Sophomore runner Phil Duncan posted a career best en route to his first collegiate victory on Saturday at the Saint Leo Cross Country Fall Invitational. The UF men's team finished with four runners in the top 10.

Sports

UF cross country runner overcoming injury history

Sep. 27, 2012

Phil Duncan knows how difficult it is to help his team when he’s stuck on the sideline. He understands the adversity of not being with the team or participating when it matters most.

Under coach Gregg Troy (above), Florida returns 11 All-Americans this season on the men’s team and two-time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel to the women.

Sports

UF swim coach racking up awards

By ROBERT JUDIN | Sep. 27, 2012

If the hardware hanging in coach Gregg Troy’s office isn’t enough to prove he’s accustomed to winning, the hardware around his swimmers’ necks should be.

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

Sports

Senior maturing, improving for Gators men's golf

By CHARLES KINGSBURY | Sep. 27, 2012

When Tyler McCumber wants to get away from the golf course, he tackles the enormous swells on Barbados’ east coast at Bathsheba Beach.

Sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) drops back to pass as his offensive line withstands the rush against the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Despite injuries, the Florida offensive line has progressed in pass and run blocking since playing Texas A&M in the conference opener on Sept. 8.

Sports

Florida blocking well despite nagging injuries

By GREG LUCA | Sep. 27, 2012

Through a trio of injuries that led to a shuffle at tackle, Florida’s line has held the offense together.

Middle blocker Betsy Smith (14) attempts an attack against Jacksonville in Florida’s 3-0 victory on Sept. 7 in the O’Connell Center. Smith is the last player from the top-ranked 2008 recruiting class still suiting up for the Gators.

Sports

UF middle blocker making most of senior year

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Sep. 26, 2012

Betsy Smith first started to play volleyball in the summer before sixth grade. It wasn’t until the summer before her freshman year of high school that she knew she wanted to play for Florida.

Florida linebacker Michael Taylor (51) tackles Kentucky tailback Raymond Sanders III (4) on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Taylor has received more playing time since linebacker Jelani Jenkins suffered a broken thumb on Sept. 8 against the Texas A&M Aggies.

Sports

Notebook: Dunbar assuming bigger role, Gators practice update

By ADAM PINCUS | Sep. 26, 2012

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Quinton Dunbar is finally starting to catch on with the Gators. After two years as little more than a spring-practice standout, Dunbar is second on the team with 10 receptions so far in 2012.

Junior wide receiver Andre Debose smiles as he accepts the trophy for Most Valuable Player at the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. in Jacksonville. Debose hasn't replicated the success he had in 2011.

Sports

Column: Benching Debose right move

By GREG LUCA | Sep. 26, 2012

Andre Debose grinned from ear to ear as he celebrated on EverBank Field at the end of the 2011 season. Florida had just beaten Ohio State 24-17 in the Gator Bowl, and Debose hoisted the Most Valuable Player trophy high above his head. The hopes for his 2012 campaign flew even higher.

Senior midfielder Holly King attempts a header in UF's 3-0 win against FIU on Sept. 2 at James G. Pressly Stadium. King has scored twice on headers this season.

Sports

Gators midfielder using headers to score

By LANDON WATNICK | Sep. 26, 2012

Holly King likes to use her head.

Sports

UF senior leads fight against new rules in college tennis

Sep. 25, 2012

As the Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Committee deliberated on changes to speed up the college game, Florida senior Bob van Overbeek reacted with three simple words:

Gators coach Will Muschamp looks over a chart against Kentucky on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. No. 11 Florida has the week off before taking on No. 3 LSU at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 6.

Sports

Column: LSU game to prove UF’s worth

By ADAM PINCUS | Sep. 25, 2012

Florida hasn’t done anything this season.

Senior running back Mike Gillislee runs down the field against Kentucky on Sept. 22 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida gained 200 yards rushing while allowing 159 yards.

Sports

Florida looking to shore up perimeter during off week

By GREG LUCA | Sep. 25, 2012

Will Muschamp believes the Gators are a better team than they were a year ago because of improvements on the line of scrimmage, but he still sees plenty of room for progress on the perimeter.

Gators prepare to run out of the tunnel before playing Bowling Green on Sept. 1 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida pulled away in the fourth quarter en route to a 27-14 win.

Sports

Gators using bye to heal injuries, work on self-improvement

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Sep. 25, 2012

The season is young, but the Gators could already use a break.

Senior Tangerine Wiggs spikes the ball over the net during a match against Missouri on Friday at Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The Gators defeated the Tigers 3-0.

Sports

Redshirt senior thriving, trying to finish career on high note

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Sep. 25, 2012

Three years after taking a leap of faith, Tangerine Wiggs is still trying to stick the landing.

Senior Jo Dragotta (14) steals the ball from Caroline Brown (25) of Tennessee on Friday at James G. Pressly Stadium. The Gators defeated the Volunteers 2-1.

Sports

Senior midfielder brings composure, stability to Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Sep. 25, 2012

Jo Dragotta was doing her best to keep her mind clear.