sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Billy Donovan Jr. (24) is transferring to UF from Catholic University. He played in an exhibition in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Nov. 3.

Sports

Billy Donovan's son transferring to Florida

By LANDON WATNICK | Oct. 10, 2012

Coach Billy Donovan’s oldest son is coming home.

Freshman Gabby Mallette serves during Florida’s 3-0 win against Arkansas on Friday in the O’Connell Center. Mallette notched two blocks against the Razorbacks and leads Gators freshmen with 23 this season.

Sports

Freshman developing into potent blocker after slow start

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Oct. 9, 2012

Coach Mary Wise said blocking is typically a veteran strength. Freshman Gabby Mallette didn’t get the memo.

Senior midfielder Erika Tymrak dribbles past Tennessee junior Tori Balley (3) in Florida’s 2-1 win on Sept. 21 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Tymrak returned from a left ankle sprain on Friday.

Sports

Tymrak quickly rounds back into form after return from injury

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Oct. 9, 2012

Erika Tymrak needed to prove she was not a rusted boot.

Quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) is sacked by LSU linebacker Kevin Minter (46) during Florida’s 14-6 win on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Driskel completed 8 of 12 passes for 61 yards. He finished with 1 yard rushing on 13 carries despite losing 43 yards on five sacks.

Sports

After quiet game, UF's Driskel looking for ways to improve

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 9, 2012

Florida defeated LSU on Saturday, and it did so despite minimal production from Jeff Driskel. He wasn’t satisfied with just getting the win.

Redshirt senior Omarius Hines runs toward the sideline during UF’s 14-6 victory against LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Notebook: UF offensive line credited for run success

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 8, 2012

Mike Gillislee was named Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for his efforts in Saturday’s win against LSU, but both he and coach Will Muschamp gave credit to the blockers.

Senior running back Mike Gillislee sprints into the end zone untouched during UF’s 14-6 victory against LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Gillislee totaled 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries against the Tigers.

Sports

Column: Strong UF football team one step away

By JOE MORGAN | Oct. 8, 2012

Florida’s 14-6 upset victory against LSU on Saturday was a microcosm of UF’s season.

Coach Will Muschamp reacts to a replay on the Jumbotron during Florida’s 14-6 victory against LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Muschamp and the Gators are attempting to go 6-0 for just the eighth time in school history.

Sports

Gators football looking to avoid letdown against Vandy

By ADAM PINCUS | Oct. 8, 2012

Florida is in uncharted territory.

Junior outside back Taylor Travis (41) fights for the ball against Arkansas defenders Yvonne DesJarlais (15) and Evan Palmer (31) in Florida’s 4-0 win on Sept. 30 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Travis played a major role in preserving a road victory against Texas A&M on Sunday.

Sports

Gators junior erasing scoring opportunities on back line

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Oct. 8, 2012

Taylor Travis and Shea Groom were almost teammates.

Junior setter Taylor Brauneis (8) celebrates with her teammates during Florida’s 3-0 win against Arkansas on Oct. 5 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Sports

Junior setter propelling Florida’s high-scoring offense

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Oct. 8, 2012

Taylor Brauneis doesn’t mind dishing away the ball or the spotlight.

Junior Damien Jacobs (4) sacks LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) in the second quarter of Florida's 14-6 victory on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators had a season-high four sacks in the win.

Sports

Column: UF strength coach Jeff Dillman key to win

By ADAM PINCUS | Oct. 7, 2012

As Will Muschamp jogged off the field, the fiery coach known for his piercing stares let out a smile.

Sophomore Kyle Christy (4) punts in Florida's 14-6 victory against LSU on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Christy helped UF win the field position battle by pinning LSU inside their 10-yard line three times.

Sports

Notebook: Jenkins injures hamstring; Driskel has quiet day passing

By JOE MORGAN | Oct. 7, 2012

Jelani Jenkins finally got back on the football field during Florida’s 14-6 win against LSU on Saturday. However, he quickly returned to the sidelines.

Junior safety safety Matt ELam drops into coverage during Florida's 14-6 win against LSU on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Elam forced a fumble and finished with a team-high seven tackles.

Sports

UF defense dominates, bounces back from 2011 loss to LSU

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 7, 2012

The Florida defenders believed their 2011 performance at LSU was an aberration.

Sports

Back on Top: Gillislee, Gators assert their will in physical home victory

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 7, 2012

With every open hole Mike Gillislee plowed through and every would-be tackler he dodged, the Gators moved closer to reestablishing themselves as one of the best teams in college football.

Adriana Leon (91) fights for the ball against Arkansas defender Melanie Foncham (14) in UF's 4-0 win on Sept. 30 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Leon kicked the game-winning goal in the 39th minute against No. 5 Texas A&M on Sunday in College Station, Texas.

Sports

UF soccer upsets No. 5 Texas A&M on road

By LANDON WATNICK | Oct. 7, 2012

In a hostile environment at College Station, Texas, the underdog Gators tuned out the noise.

UF senior Lauren Embree won her first Grand Slam tournament of her collegiate career on Sunday. Embree defeated Virginia's Julia Elbaba in three sets to clinch the Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament.

Sports

Embree wins grand slam championship

Oct. 7, 2012

Florida senior Lauren Embree was the No. 1 recruit coming out of high school, won two Southeastern Conference Player of the Year awards and secured the Gators’ national championship with a comeback victory in 2011.

Outside hitter Ziva Recek attempts to hit the ball over the net in Florida's 3-0 win on Friday in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Recek led UF with 19 kills against the Razorbacks.

Sports

Freshman powers Gators volleyball to come-from-behind victory

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Oct. 7, 2012

As Ziva Recek goes, so do the Gators — for better or for worse.

Sports

Embree reaches final of Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament

Oct. 7, 2012

Florida Gator senior Lauren Embree has the opportunity to win the first national singles title of her career after winning four consecutive matches in the Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament.

Sports

Embree moves on in ITA All-American Tournament

Oct. 6, 2012

Florida Gator Lauren Embree advanced to the round of 16 last season in the Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament before losing out to 35th-ranked Petra Niedermayerova of Kansas State, 6-1, 6-4. But this year, she has come back with a vengeance.

Forward Erika Tymrak pushes the tempo against Kentucky in a game last season. Tymrak broke Florida's scoreless drought during the weekend with a goal in the 51st minute against Vanderbilt.

Sports

Tymrak scores goal in triumphant return for UF soccer

By LANDON WATNICK | Oct. 5, 2012

In senior Erika Tymrak’s first game back from a left ankle sprain, her goal made the difference for UF.

Middle blocker Betsy Smith (14) spikes the ball against Georgia Tech in a 3-1 victory on Sept. 8. The senior led the Gators with a season-high 11 blocks in Florida's sweep of Arkansas on Friday night.

Sports

UF's Betsy Smith blocks her way to a Florida victory

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Oct. 5, 2012

Although Friday night might have started off with a kill for redshirt senior Betsy Smith, but it was her blocking that dominated the match.